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Law-Legal Summer Programs and Internships for High School

Updated: Jan 3

Law touches everything: civil rights, business, tech, media, public policy. For a high school student, the goal is not to “decide your law school now,” but to:

  • See what lawyers, judges, and advocates actually do day-to-day

  • Build writing, public speaking, and analytical skills

  • Experience real legal settings: courts, firms, legislatures, advocacy orgs

  • Start a track record of sustained interest that will later strengthen college and (much later) law school applications


This guide focuses on substantive, reputable law-legal summer programs and internships for high school with:

  • Clear learning goals (mock trial, legal writing, policy analysis, advocacy)

  • Transparent eligibility and application info

  • Either strong academic content or genuine workplace exposure


We've grouped opportunities into three broad buckets:

  1. Pipeline & access programs (many are free / low-cost)

  2. University pre-college law programs (paid, often residential)

  3. Civics, advocacy & policy institutes + how to find local internships


Law/Legal Summer Programs and Internships for High School

1. Pipeline & Access Programs (Many Free / Low-Cost)

These are some of the strongest options if your student is serious about law and, in many cases, from an underrepresented or first-gen background.


Just the Beginning - Summer Legal Institute (SLI)


Location: Multiple host law schools around the U.S. (varies by year)

Focus: Week-long immersion in the legal profession: interactive lectures, mock trials, writing workshops, and visits to courts and firms. Programs are run by Just the Beginning - A Pipeline Organization, a long-standing national nonprofit focused on diversity in the legal profession.


Eligibility (grade/year): U.S. high school students; recent offerings have targeted rising 10th-12th graders, with some locations prioritizing students from underrepresented backgrounds in law. (Exact grade bands can vary slightly by site and year, so always check the current application page.)


Cost: Historically free or very low cost, with many sites offering meals and program materials; families cover transportation. Some locations also provide need-based travel support.


Why it’s strong: Real exposure to law in actual courts and firms, plus mentorship from judges, law students, and attorneys. It is one of the most respected legal pipeline initiatives at the high-school level in the U.S.



Legal Outreach - Summer Law Institute (New York City)


Location: Law schools across New York City (e.g., Columbia, NYU, Fordham)

Focus: A rigorous 5-week “mini-law school” for rising 9th graders from underserved communities in NYC. Students study criminal law, practice legal writing and oral advocacy, visit courts and law firms, and prepare for a full mock trial at the end.


Eligibility:

  • Rising 9th-grade students (incoming freshmen)

  • Attend public or parochial schools in NYC; selection prioritizes students from underrepresented or low-income backgrounds.


Cost: Tuition-free; lunch and materials are typically provided.


Why it’s strong: One of the few serious entry-point programs aimed at students entering high school, with a long track record and clear student outcomes (many feed into Legal Outreach’s longer “College Bound” program).



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Louisiana State Bar Association - “Suit Up for the Future” High School Summer Legal Institute & Intern Program


Location: New Orleans / Baton Rouge, Louisiana (based at Louisiana law schools and courts)


Focus: A 3-week hybrid of law school-style classes and internship/shadowing. Students hear from professors and judges, draft legal memoranda, visit courts and law firms, and then complete an internship component in legal workplaces.


Eligibility:

  • Louisiana high school juniors and seniors

  • Historically aimed at students from diverse or underrepresented backgrounds in law.


Cost: Free; supported by the Louisiana State Bar Association, Louisiana Supreme Court, and partner law schools.


Why it’s strong: One of the few programs that combines classroom instruction with a structured legal internship for high schoolers.



Thurgood Marshall Summer Law Internship Program - New York City Bar


Location: New York City, NY

Focus: Places diverse NYC public high-school students in paid summer internships at law firms, corporations, courts, and nonprofits, combined with professional-development seminars.


Eligibility:

  • Rising 11th and 12th graders enrolled in NYC public or charter high schools (or similar criteria; check current year’s application).

  • Focus on first-generation, underrepresented, and/or low-income students interested in law.


Cost / compensation: No program fee; internships are typically paid (hourly wages or stipends).


Why it’s strong: Highly competitive and well-regarded, with actual legal work experience plus networking with New York City’s legal community.


Official info :


ACLU Summer Advocacy Institute (Washington, D.C.)


Location: Washington, D.C.

Focus: A 7-8 day intensive institute run by the American Civil Liberties Union (often in partnership with the Close Up Foundation). Students study civil liberties, litigation and policy campaigns, and grassroots organizing; meet lawyers, lobbyists, and activists; and take part in a “day of action” on Capitol Hill.


Eligibility:

  • High school students entering 11th or 12th grade (juniors and seniors) at the time of the program.


Cost: Tuition-based; in recent years, the ACLU and partners have offered need-based scholarships and travel aid for many students. (Exact tuition and aid levels change year-to-year; always verify on the current application page.)


Why it’s strong: For students interested in civil rights, constitutional law, and policy advocacy, this is one of the most substantive high-school-level law/civics experiences.



National Civics & Law Academy (ABA + Close Up)


Location: Washington, D.C.

Focus: A partnership of the American Bar Association and Close Up Foundation that brings high-school students to D.C. to explore how the three branches of government work, meet legal professionals, and analyze current policy issues through seminars, simulations, and court / Capitol visits.


Eligibility: Historically open to high-school students (usually 10th-12th) nominated by schools or local bar associations. Because this program has run in cycles, always confirm that the Academy is being offered the year you’re applying and check the current grade requirements.


Cost: Tuition-based with need-based scholarships often offered through local bar partners or school districts.


Why it’s strong: Strong fit for students who like government + law together and want structured, curriculum-driven learning rather than a camp-style experience.


Info hub (with link when active): https://www.closeup.org/high-school/partner-programs/  (see National Civics & Law Academy)


2. University Pre-College Law Programs (Paid, Often Residential)

These programs are usually expensive, but they give students a taste of college life while studying law in depth. Always cross-check whether they offer need-based or merit aid.


Georgetown University - Hoya Summer High School: Law Academy


Location: Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.

Focus: A 1- or 2-week Law Academy where students explore U.S. legal systems, case analysis, and advocacy through lectures, group discussions, and mock trials. Programs typically include visits to D.C. courts and legal institutions.


Eligibility:

  • High school students (typically ages 15-18 / grades 9-12; details vary slightly by session).


Cost: Tuition + room/board; recent advertising via partner sites lists this as a premium residential program. Limited need-based aid or discounts may be available through Georgetown or third-party organizers; verify for the specific year.



National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC) - Law & Advocacy


Locations: Hosted at campuses such as Georgetown, Yale, and others (varies by year).

Focus: A multi-day Law & Advocacy program where students play the roles of trial attorneys in simulated cases, practice cross-examination and opening/closing statements, and hear from practicing lawyers and judges.


Eligibility:

  • High-school students (generally grades 9-12).


Cost: Tuition + housing + travel; NSLC is a high-cost program with optional college-credit add-ons. Limited scholarships exist but are competitive.



National Youth Leadership Forum (NYLF) - Law & CSI (Envision by WorldStrides)


Location: Georgetown University (Washington, D.C. area) and sometimes other campuses.

Focus: An 8-day residential program combining law and forensic science. Students attend lectures by legal and CSI professionals, run mock investigation and trial simulations, and visit institutions like courthouses or crime labs.


Eligibility:

  • High-school students in grades 9-12 during the upcoming school year.


Cost: High tuition (recent published example: around $4,500 including room and board, not including travel).



Columbia University Pre-College - Law & Conflict Resolution Courses


Location: Columbia University, New York City (on-campus and online options).


Focus: Columbia’s Summer Immersion and Academic Year pre-college programs offer college-level courses such as:

  • Constitutional Law - introduces core constitutional concepts, the structure of the U.S. legal system, and how courts interpret the Constitution.

  • Legal Reasoning: Thinking Like a Lawyer - focuses on case reading, argument analysis, and basic legal writing skills.


These are academic classes, not internships, but they can significantly deepen understanding of legal reasoning.


Eligibility:

  • High-school students (typically entering grades 9-12 or recently graduated).


Cost: Tuition + fees (Ivy-level pricing); some need-based aid is available.



Emory University Pre-College Program - Introduction to the U.S. Legal System


Location: Emory University, Atlanta, GA

Focus: Through Emory’s Pre-College Program, high-school students can enroll in credit or non-credit law courses, including an Introduction to the U.S. Legal System that surveys constitutional foundations, case law, and how courts operate.


Eligibility:

  • Typically rising 11th-12th graders (sophomores sometimes considered) with a minimum GPA requirement (recently around 3.0-3.3).


Cost: Standard pre-college tuition + room and board; some scholarships available.



University of Notre Dame - Summer Scholars: Law or “Legal Process” Tracks


Location: University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN

Focus: Notre Dame’s Summer Scholars program offers 2-week residential courses; in recent years, one of the tracks has introduced students to law, legal reasoning, and public policy, often including case studies, guest speakers, and moot court-style exercises.


Eligibility:

  • Typically rising juniors and seniors with solid academic records.


Cost: Tuition + housing; need-based aid is available and can be significant for qualified students.



Summer Springboard - Trial Law (Georgetown / American University)


Location: Campuses such as Georgetown University and American University in Washington, D.C.

Focus: A two-week program focused entirely on trial law: students study the justice system, practice opening/closing arguments, and participate in simulated trials. Faculty often include practicing attorneys and law-school faculty.


Eligibility:

  • High-school students (grades 9-12; some sessions may specify minimum age 15).


Cost: Tuition + room/board; mid-to-upper-range, with some limited financial aid.



Oxford Scholastica Academy - Law Summer School (Oxford, UK)


Location: Oxford, United Kingdom

Focus: For students able to travel internationally, Oxford Scholastica’s Law Summer School offers a 2-week residential program where students explore criminal and civil law, human rights, and legal ethics, often culminating in a mock trial in a historic Oxford courtroom.


Eligibility:

  • International high-school students (typically ages ~15-18).


Cost: International tuition + travel; scholarships/financial aid are limited and competitive.



3. Civics, Policy & Advocacy-Focused Programs

These aren’t “law school in a week,” but they build the policy and civic-engagement side of legal careers.

We already discussed the ACLU Summer Advocacy Institute and National Civics & Law Academy above.

A few additional directions:

  • Close Up Washington, D.C. - week-long civics programs bringing students to Washington to study policy and government through site visits and seminars. Not strictly law-only, but very relevant for students leaning toward constitutional law, public interest law, or policy. Close Up Foundation


  • School-based Mock Trial & Debate Camps - many state bar associations and local courts run short summer institutes supporting state mock trial leagues; these often appear on state bar or judiciary websites.

Because these opportunities are highly regional and change year-to-year, the safest approach is to search your state bar association and local court system websites (see tips below).


4. How to Find Real Law-Related Internships & Shadowing Locally

Unlike medicine or engineering, there are fewer formal, national internship programs for high-school students in law—but many students build strong experiences through local outreach. A few concrete, realistic strategies:

  1. Check state & local bar associations.

    • Many bar associations (e.g., Louisiana State Bar with “Suit Up for the Future”) run high-school pipeline or internship programs.

    • Search [Your State] bar association high school internship or look for “diversity pipeline” or “student programs” tabs.

  2. Look at city courts and DA / public defender offices.

    • Some large city courts and prosecutor / defender offices host summer youth employment placements or volunteer programs specifically for juniors and seniors. (Availability depends heavily on local rules and funding.)

  3. Nonprofit legal-aid organizations.

    • Legal-aid societies, immigrant-rights clinics, or local ACLU affiliates sometimes take high-school volunteers for administrative help, research assistance under supervision, or community-education events. Check “volunteer” or “internship” pages and filter for “high school” or “youth.”

  4. Law-school clinics and pipeline offices.

    • Many law schools partner with surrounding schools on outreach; even if they don’t advertise a public program, emailing their admissions or diversity/pipeline office can surface opportunities like shadow days, mentorship, or short institutes.

  5. Document everything.

    • For any self-arranged internship or shadowing, make sure the student keeps a log of hours, tasks, and reflections. That documentation later becomes gold for college essays and recommendation letters.


5. Law-Legal Summer Programs and Internships for High School How to use this list


A few practical steps for families:

  1. Start from access programs if cost is a concern.

    • Just the Beginning’s SLI, Legal Outreach’s SLI, LSBA’s Suit Up, and the Thurgood Marshall Internship are among the strongest free/low-cost options nationwide.


  2. Layer in 1-2 pre-college programs only if they make financial sense.

    • NSLC, NYLF, and many university pre-college programs are expensive enrichment, not prerequisites for law school. Only pursue them if cost (after aid) is manageable and the student is genuinely excited.


  3. Use advocacy programs if the student leans toward civil-rights law.

    • The ACLU Summer Advocacy Institute, National Civics & Law Academy, and similar programs are great for students who care deeply about policy change, organizing, and constitutional issues.


  4. Don’t overlook local opportunities.

    • A well-structured local internship with a legal-aid office, city attorney, or small firm, combined with serious mock-trial/debate involvement, can be just as powerful (or more) than a flashy summer camp.


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