4 answers
Shriya
Student
Mason, Ohio
1
Question
Updated
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What are some free internships I can apply for as someone wanting to go into pre-law?
I'm a junior in high school and can really only find internships for college or stem students :(, I currently do debate and am a receptionist for a law firm right now but I need more
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4 answers
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian-Nutritionist & Software Developer since 1972 🡆 Optimization Of Human Performance
7219
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Good Day Shriya!
Free Internships for Pre-Law Students
As a junior interested in pre-law, there are several avenues you can explore to find free internships that will provide valuable experience and enhance your resume. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you identify potential opportunities:
1. University Career Services: Most universities have career services that offer resources for students seeking internships. They often maintain a database of internship opportunities, including those specifically for pre-law students. Schedule an appointment with a career advisor who can help you navigate available options.
2. Legal Aid Organizations: Many legal aid organizations offer internships or volunteer positions for students interested in law. These positions may not be paid but provide hands-on experience in legal settings. Look for local legal aid offices or nonprofit organizations focused on social justice, immigration law, or family law.
3. Government Agencies: Consider applying for internships with government agencies at the local, state, or federal level. Many government offices, such as public defenders’ offices, district attorney’s offices, and legislative bodies, offer internship programs that allow students to gain practical experience in the legal field.
4. Law Firms: While many law firms prefer hiring college students or graduates for internships, some smaller firms may be open to taking on pre-law undergraduates as interns. Reach out directly to local law firms and inquire about any available internship opportunities.
5. Online Platforms: Utilize online platforms such as Handshake, InternMatch, or Idealist.org to search for internships tailored to pre-law students. These platforms often list various unpaid internship opportunities across different sectors.
6. Networking: Networking is crucial in the legal field. Attend local bar association events, law school open houses, or pre-law society meetings at your university to connect with professionals who might know of internship openings.
7. Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteering at community organizations related to law (such as domestic violence shelters or civil rights groups) can also provide relevant experience and potentially lead to internship opportunities down the line.
8. Research Programs: Some universities offer summer research programs related to law and policy that may accept undergraduate interns. Check if your institution has any such programs where you could assist faculty members with their research projects.
By exploring these avenues systematically and being proactive in your search, you should be able to find suitable free internships that align with your aspirations in the field of law.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used in Answering this Question
1. National Association of Law Placement (NALP)
NALP provides comprehensive resources regarding legal careers and internships specifically designed for students pursuing careers in law.
2. American Bar Association (ABA)
The ABA offers guidance on finding internships and volunteer opportunities within the legal profession while promoting diversity and inclusion within the field.
3. Idealist.org
Idealist is a well-known platform that connects individuals with nonprofit job listings and volunteer opportunities, including those relevant to aspiring lawyers looking for internships.
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|________________God Bless You, Richly!_________________|
|________________James Constantine,____________________|
|_____________The Little Old Aussie Battler._____________|
|_____Programming For Your Nutrition Education_____|
|___________________ ~ Since 1972! ______________________|
✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫
Free Internships for Pre-Law Students
As a junior interested in pre-law, there are several avenues you can explore to find free internships that will provide valuable experience and enhance your resume. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you identify potential opportunities:
1. University Career Services: Most universities have career services that offer resources for students seeking internships. They often maintain a database of internship opportunities, including those specifically for pre-law students. Schedule an appointment with a career advisor who can help you navigate available options.
2. Legal Aid Organizations: Many legal aid organizations offer internships or volunteer positions for students interested in law. These positions may not be paid but provide hands-on experience in legal settings. Look for local legal aid offices or nonprofit organizations focused on social justice, immigration law, or family law.
3. Government Agencies: Consider applying for internships with government agencies at the local, state, or federal level. Many government offices, such as public defenders’ offices, district attorney’s offices, and legislative bodies, offer internship programs that allow students to gain practical experience in the legal field.
4. Law Firms: While many law firms prefer hiring college students or graduates for internships, some smaller firms may be open to taking on pre-law undergraduates as interns. Reach out directly to local law firms and inquire about any available internship opportunities.
5. Online Platforms: Utilize online platforms such as Handshake, InternMatch, or Idealist.org to search for internships tailored to pre-law students. These platforms often list various unpaid internship opportunities across different sectors.
6. Networking: Networking is crucial in the legal field. Attend local bar association events, law school open houses, or pre-law society meetings at your university to connect with professionals who might know of internship openings.
7. Volunteer Opportunities: Volunteering at community organizations related to law (such as domestic violence shelters or civil rights groups) can also provide relevant experience and potentially lead to internship opportunities down the line.
8. Research Programs: Some universities offer summer research programs related to law and policy that may accept undergraduate interns. Check if your institution has any such programs where you could assist faculty members with their research projects.
By exploring these avenues systematically and being proactive in your search, you should be able to find suitable free internships that align with your aspirations in the field of law.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used in Answering this Question
1. National Association of Law Placement (NALP)
NALP provides comprehensive resources regarding legal careers and internships specifically designed for students pursuing careers in law.
2. American Bar Association (ABA)
The ABA offers guidance on finding internships and volunteer opportunities within the legal profession while promoting diversity and inclusion within the field.
3. Idealist.org
Idealist is a well-known platform that connects individuals with nonprofit job listings and volunteer opportunities, including those relevant to aspiring lawyers looking for internships.
✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫
|________________God Bless You, Richly!_________________|
|________________James Constantine,____________________|
|_____________The Little Old Aussie Battler._____________|
|_____Programming For Your Nutrition Education_____|
|___________________ ~ Since 1972! ______________________|
✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫ ✫
James Constantine, thank you!
Shriya
My pleasure to help you Shriya!
James Constantine Frangos
Malcolm Higgins
Purchase Agreement Underwriter
7
Answers
Detroit, Michigan
Updated
Malcolm’s Answer
If you're interested in pursuing a pre-law career and looking for free internships or opportunities to gain experience, there are several ways to get started without needing to commit to paid work right away. Here are some ideas for free internships and opportunities that can help you build your resume, network, and develop legal knowledge:
1. Law Firms (Local and Small)
Internships/Clerking: Many small law firms offer unpaid internships or clerkship opportunities to high school or college students interested in law. These positions might involve tasks like administrative work, legal research, drafting documents, and observing court proceedings.
How to Apply: Reach out to local law firms directly. Write a professional email explaining your interest in law and your willingness to contribute as an intern. Check their websites for opportunities or use platforms like LinkedIn or Indeed to look for internships.
2. Nonprofit Organizations or Legal Aid Societies
Legal Assistance and Advocacy: Many nonprofits, such as those focused on civil rights, immigration, or family law, have legal departments that can offer internship opportunities for students. These organizations often need help with research, client intake, and community outreach.
How to Apply: Look for local nonprofit organizations that focus on legal issues, such as ACLU, Legal Aid, or immigration advocacy groups. Reach out and ask about internship opportunities or volunteer roles.
3. Courthouses and Government Legal Offices
Court Internships: Some courthouses offer unpaid internships where students can observe trials, interact with judges and lawyers, and help with research or documentation. These internships give you exposure to how the legal system operates in real-time.
Government Legal Internships: Various government agencies at the local, state, and federal levels have unpaid internship programs where you can work with legal teams. For instance, you might apply to work with the public defender’s office or a district attorney’s office.
How to Apply: Check the websites of your local courthouse or government agencies (such as city, county, or state attorney offices). Many offer student internships, especially during summer.
4. Political Campaigns
Legal and Policy Internships: Working on a political campaign can provide valuable experience in understanding how laws and policies are shaped. Some campaigns offer internships in their legal or policy departments, where you can assist with legal research, organizing events, and helping with legal compliance.
How to Apply: Reach out to political campaigns that align with your interests. They may not always advertise legal internships specifically, but you can inquire about opportunities to support their legal or policy teams.
5. Public Defender’s Office or District Attorney’s Office
Legal Research and Support: These offices often accept interns to assist with legal research, case preparation, and other clerical duties. Working in a public defender’s office or DA's office is a great way to gain insight into criminal law and public service.
How to Apply: Inquire with your local public defender’s office or DA's office about internship opportunities. Some may have specific programs, especially during summer, or you can inquire about volunteer positions that give you hands-on experience.
6. Law-Related Summer Programs
Pre-Law Internships and Camps: Some universities and organizations offer pre-law programs or internships for high school students. These programs often include mock trials, workshops, and exposure to law-related fields.
How to Apply: Look into programs like the National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC) or the Justice and Law Summer Program. While some programs may have a fee, others might offer scholarships or low-cost options for participants.
7. Legal Journals or Publications
Editorial or Research Internships: Many law schools and legal journals offer internship opportunities that allow students to contribute to legal writing, research, and editing. These roles typically involve reviewing legal papers, drafting summaries, and assisting with publication tasks.
How to Apply: Search for law journals at universities or local legal publications. Some law schools may have student-run publications that are open to high school or college students as editorial or research interns.
8. Law-related Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer at Legal Clinics: Some law schools run legal clinics where law students provide free services to underserved communities. You can volunteer to help with intake, research, or administrative work, giving you insight into legal work without a formal internship.
How to Apply: Look for volunteer opportunities through law schools or nonprofit legal services. Many legal clinics welcome volunteers, even if they don’t formally advertise internship positions.
9. Law School Research Assistant
Assist Professors: Some law professors hire students (particularly in college) to assist with research projects. This could involve researching legal cases, reviewing academic papers, and summarizing findings.
How to Apply: Reach out to local law schools and ask professors if they need research assistants. They might not always advertise these positions, so sending an email expressing your interest is often the best approach.
10. Online or Virtual Internships
Remote Legal Research: Some legal firms, nonprofits, or startups offer remote internships. These can involve tasks such as legal research, writing, or helping prepare documents.
How to Apply: Websites like Idealist and LinkedIn often have remote internships or volunteer positions that you can apply to. You can also directly reach out to law firms or legal organizations to inquire about remote opportunities.
11. Student Government or Legal Advocacy Groups
On-Campus Internships: If you're about to attend college, many universities have pre-law clubs, legal advocacy groups, or student governments where you can gain legal experience by working with student representatives or legal professionals in organizing campus events and campaigns.
How to Apply: Once in college, join pre-law clubs or organizations that allow you to work on legal issues and gain practical experience. You can also inquire about any campus-affiliated internships related to law.
Tips for Applying:
Start Early: Law internships, even unpaid ones, can be competitive, so it’s best to start looking early, especially for summer internships.
Tailor Your Resume: Focus on your interest in law, your academic achievements, and any volunteer experience related to social justice, leadership, or research.
Be Proactive: Even if an internship isn’t advertised, reach out to organizations or firms and express your interest in learning about legal work.
Use Networking: Connect with people in the legal field through LinkedIn, informational interviews, and events hosted by local bar associations.
Starting with any of these unpaid opportunities will help you gain the experience and skills you need for your future legal career. Good luck!!
1. Law Firms (Local and Small)
Internships/Clerking: Many small law firms offer unpaid internships or clerkship opportunities to high school or college students interested in law. These positions might involve tasks like administrative work, legal research, drafting documents, and observing court proceedings.
How to Apply: Reach out to local law firms directly. Write a professional email explaining your interest in law and your willingness to contribute as an intern. Check their websites for opportunities or use platforms like LinkedIn or Indeed to look for internships.
2. Nonprofit Organizations or Legal Aid Societies
Legal Assistance and Advocacy: Many nonprofits, such as those focused on civil rights, immigration, or family law, have legal departments that can offer internship opportunities for students. These organizations often need help with research, client intake, and community outreach.
How to Apply: Look for local nonprofit organizations that focus on legal issues, such as ACLU, Legal Aid, or immigration advocacy groups. Reach out and ask about internship opportunities or volunteer roles.
3. Courthouses and Government Legal Offices
Court Internships: Some courthouses offer unpaid internships where students can observe trials, interact with judges and lawyers, and help with research or documentation. These internships give you exposure to how the legal system operates in real-time.
Government Legal Internships: Various government agencies at the local, state, and federal levels have unpaid internship programs where you can work with legal teams. For instance, you might apply to work with the public defender’s office or a district attorney’s office.
How to Apply: Check the websites of your local courthouse or government agencies (such as city, county, or state attorney offices). Many offer student internships, especially during summer.
4. Political Campaigns
Legal and Policy Internships: Working on a political campaign can provide valuable experience in understanding how laws and policies are shaped. Some campaigns offer internships in their legal or policy departments, where you can assist with legal research, organizing events, and helping with legal compliance.
How to Apply: Reach out to political campaigns that align with your interests. They may not always advertise legal internships specifically, but you can inquire about opportunities to support their legal or policy teams.
5. Public Defender’s Office or District Attorney’s Office
Legal Research and Support: These offices often accept interns to assist with legal research, case preparation, and other clerical duties. Working in a public defender’s office or DA's office is a great way to gain insight into criminal law and public service.
How to Apply: Inquire with your local public defender’s office or DA's office about internship opportunities. Some may have specific programs, especially during summer, or you can inquire about volunteer positions that give you hands-on experience.
6. Law-Related Summer Programs
Pre-Law Internships and Camps: Some universities and organizations offer pre-law programs or internships for high school students. These programs often include mock trials, workshops, and exposure to law-related fields.
How to Apply: Look into programs like the National Student Leadership Conference (NSLC) or the Justice and Law Summer Program. While some programs may have a fee, others might offer scholarships or low-cost options for participants.
7. Legal Journals or Publications
Editorial or Research Internships: Many law schools and legal journals offer internship opportunities that allow students to contribute to legal writing, research, and editing. These roles typically involve reviewing legal papers, drafting summaries, and assisting with publication tasks.
How to Apply: Search for law journals at universities or local legal publications. Some law schools may have student-run publications that are open to high school or college students as editorial or research interns.
8. Law-related Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteer at Legal Clinics: Some law schools run legal clinics where law students provide free services to underserved communities. You can volunteer to help with intake, research, or administrative work, giving you insight into legal work without a formal internship.
How to Apply: Look for volunteer opportunities through law schools or nonprofit legal services. Many legal clinics welcome volunteers, even if they don’t formally advertise internship positions.
9. Law School Research Assistant
Assist Professors: Some law professors hire students (particularly in college) to assist with research projects. This could involve researching legal cases, reviewing academic papers, and summarizing findings.
How to Apply: Reach out to local law schools and ask professors if they need research assistants. They might not always advertise these positions, so sending an email expressing your interest is often the best approach.
10. Online or Virtual Internships
Remote Legal Research: Some legal firms, nonprofits, or startups offer remote internships. These can involve tasks such as legal research, writing, or helping prepare documents.
How to Apply: Websites like Idealist and LinkedIn often have remote internships or volunteer positions that you can apply to. You can also directly reach out to law firms or legal organizations to inquire about remote opportunities.
11. Student Government or Legal Advocacy Groups
On-Campus Internships: If you're about to attend college, many universities have pre-law clubs, legal advocacy groups, or student governments where you can gain legal experience by working with student representatives or legal professionals in organizing campus events and campaigns.
How to Apply: Once in college, join pre-law clubs or organizations that allow you to work on legal issues and gain practical experience. You can also inquire about any campus-affiliated internships related to law.
Tips for Applying:
Start Early: Law internships, even unpaid ones, can be competitive, so it’s best to start looking early, especially for summer internships.
Tailor Your Resume: Focus on your interest in law, your academic achievements, and any volunteer experience related to social justice, leadership, or research.
Be Proactive: Even if an internship isn’t advertised, reach out to organizations or firms and express your interest in learning about legal work.
Use Networking: Connect with people in the legal field through LinkedIn, informational interviews, and events hosted by local bar associations.
Starting with any of these unpaid opportunities will help you gain the experience and skills you need for your future legal career. Good luck!!
Amber Lee
Tax Associate
49
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Amber’s Answer
Hi Shriya,
Law firms typically do not hire high school students just because the work often involves tasks that may be too advanced for someone at your level. Even internships for college students, while not exactly unusual, are not common either. Since you're still in high school, I would not worry too much about gaining legal experience. Would that kind of experience be helpful to getting into pre-law? Perhaps, but it is absolutely not crucial. I would even say the same thing about preparing to go to law school (i.e., having prior legal background is helpful, but it is by no means a guarantee to future success). Many of my peers--myself included--had 0 legal experience when they started law school, and everyone graduated just fine. In my opinion, you are more likely get more out of a legal internship when you already have some basic foundations in law. Once you're in law school, you will have plenty of opportunities to complete internships, so don't you worry about all that right now!
My advice to you is to focus on your high school grades for now. Participate in all kinds of extra-curricular activities--they don't even have to be law-related! If you are open to exploring other majors in college, I would also encourage that you to do that. The brightest law students in my year came from all walks of life--one was a teacher, one was an EMT, and one was a music major. The key thing is to develop your reading and writing skills and continue to sharpen your communication skills. You will not be disadvantaged by having a well-rounded education.
All the best in your future endeavors!
Law firms typically do not hire high school students just because the work often involves tasks that may be too advanced for someone at your level. Even internships for college students, while not exactly unusual, are not common either. Since you're still in high school, I would not worry too much about gaining legal experience. Would that kind of experience be helpful to getting into pre-law? Perhaps, but it is absolutely not crucial. I would even say the same thing about preparing to go to law school (i.e., having prior legal background is helpful, but it is by no means a guarantee to future success). Many of my peers--myself included--had 0 legal experience when they started law school, and everyone graduated just fine. In my opinion, you are more likely get more out of a legal internship when you already have some basic foundations in law. Once you're in law school, you will have plenty of opportunities to complete internships, so don't you worry about all that right now!
My advice to you is to focus on your high school grades for now. Participate in all kinds of extra-curricular activities--they don't even have to be law-related! If you are open to exploring other majors in college, I would also encourage that you to do that. The brightest law students in my year came from all walks of life--one was a teacher, one was an EMT, and one was a music major. The key thing is to develop your reading and writing skills and continue to sharpen your communication skills. You will not be disadvantaged by having a well-rounded education.
All the best in your future endeavors!
Michelle M.
Actress
2338
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Shriya !
By "free" do you mean unpaid or no fee to take the Internship ? You are correct - most internships for Law are geared to college and university students because they have already had some basics. Sometimes the University or College partners with local agencies or companies connected to law and government and college students are placed during their third and/or fourth year at college. So it's not unusual that you are having a hard time finding a Law internship while being in the 11th grade in high school. Internships are not an instructional class, they are work experience for people that understand the basics of the field of work.
All is not lost, however. For your remainder in High School, you can easily get a valuable experience by doing volunteer work as well as joining extracurriculars such as a government group, running for a senior class office next year, the debate team which will sharpen your presentational skills and any other club or activity that is connected to your interest.
When in doubt, consider seeking volunteer work outside of school, too ! You can join the Teen Advisory Board at the Mason Public Library ! This sounds exciting and a great way to make new friends and get experience working in a group. The Red Cross would also be great to volunteer for as they offer volunteer opportunities that teach community interaction skills and projects for positive change. Additional places that you can look for a volunteer experience would be at local politician's offices and your City or Town Hall. They can guide you towards what you are looking for. So, internships are not the only way to start.
In High School, keep taking classes in government, public speaking and history and read books with those subjects to gain more knowledge. Also read some political science books which you may find very enlightening. If one thing doesn't work (obtaining and internship), try the next thing. Always move forward !
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
By "free" do you mean unpaid or no fee to take the Internship ? You are correct - most internships for Law are geared to college and university students because they have already had some basics. Sometimes the University or College partners with local agencies or companies connected to law and government and college students are placed during their third and/or fourth year at college. So it's not unusual that you are having a hard time finding a Law internship while being in the 11th grade in high school. Internships are not an instructional class, they are work experience for people that understand the basics of the field of work.
All is not lost, however. For your remainder in High School, you can easily get a valuable experience by doing volunteer work as well as joining extracurriculars such as a government group, running for a senior class office next year, the debate team which will sharpen your presentational skills and any other club or activity that is connected to your interest.
When in doubt, consider seeking volunteer work outside of school, too ! You can join the Teen Advisory Board at the Mason Public Library ! This sounds exciting and a great way to make new friends and get experience working in a group. The Red Cross would also be great to volunteer for as they offer volunteer opportunities that teach community interaction skills and projects for positive change. Additional places that you can look for a volunteer experience would be at local politician's offices and your City or Town Hall. They can guide you towards what you are looking for. So, internships are not the only way to start.
In High School, keep taking classes in government, public speaking and history and read books with those subjects to gain more knowledge. Also read some political science books which you may find very enlightening. If one thing doesn't work (obtaining and internship), try the next thing. Always move forward !
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !