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Is it possible to get a summer law internship in highschool?

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Desiree’s Answer

To be honest, I'm not sure about Canada, but in the US that would be highly unusual at mid-large law firms. Most mid-size to large firms have a summer associate program as a feeder for new hires and they only employ law students (e.g., students after HS, after undergrad, who are currently in law school). The summer associate program at most US law firms is part job-interview/part recruiting tool (and, typically, well compensated as a paid internship).

That said, you never know until your try! You might reach out to smaller, local firms that do not have formal summer associate programs and ask. Better yet, propose an internship that benefits them (you have to make it worth their time and effort!) and allows you more exposure to the field. Figure out what skills you bring to the firm and how your internship would help the firm. Note that labor law may require the internship be substantive and meaningful (e.g., not just making coffee run or operating the copier), so you'd want your proposal to be sensitive to those requirements. For instance, if you are strong in English writing skills, you can offer to proof read briefs and opinions. Are you super detail orientated ? If so, you can volunteer to help prepare closing binders. Talk with lawyers you know (or use a forum like Career Village!) to help figure out how you can contribute. Once you have a proposed internship program, contact firms and try to connect with the "hiring partner".

Also consider if there are government agencies with lawyers that take HS interns.

Desiree recommends the following next steps:

Identify local law firms that may be open to a HS student intern; target smaller firms
Research labor law requirements for internship (ha - legal research already and you haven't even started your internship!)
Develop a proposal of what a HS student internship may look like, with specific benefits to the firm, benefits to the student (You!), work hours, etc.
Make calls/Send emails to the "hiring partner" - seek an informational interview to discuss your HS student internship proposal
Research whether any government agencies with lawyers that take HS interns.
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Rebecca’s Answer

I have worked for some of the largest law firms in Houston Texas and we had high school students working for us through a co-op program implemented by their high school. They went to school half the day and worked at the law firm the other half of the day in exchange for school credits. There are specific criteria that the students have to meet in order to be considered for the program, such as maintaining a GPA of 3.5 or higher. This was some years ago so the rules may have changed a bit but absolutely this would be considered an internship. The jobs assigned to them included helping in the mail room and helping the file clerk. The knowledge and skills they gained could be utilized in any administrative position with any business. That is here in Texas. I'm not at all familiar with any programs in Canada but you can always seek advice from one of your educators or school counselor and if all else fails, there is always Google. 😀
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