How to Get a Law Internship? Expert Tips for Success

Securing a law internship is one of the most valuable steps you can take in your legal career journey. Whether you’re a first-year law student eager to gain practical experience or an undergraduate considering a career in law, internships provide unparalleled insight into how the legal profession actually works. Beyond classroom learning, law internships offer hands-on experience with real clients, case files, legal research, and courtroom procedures that simply cannot be replicated in a traditional academic setting.

The competition for prestigious law internships has intensified over the years, with thousands of aspiring legal professionals vying for limited positions at top firms, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. However, with the right strategy, preparation, and determination, you can significantly improve your chances of landing an internship that aligns with your career goals and interests. This comprehensive guide will walk you through proven strategies and expert tips to help you secure a competitive law internship position.

Start Early and Plan Strategically

One of the most critical mistakes aspiring interns make is waiting until the last minute to begin their search. The legal industry operates on a highly structured timeline, and many prestigious positions are filled months in advance. If you’re currently in law school, begin exploring internship opportunities during your first year, even if you don’t plan to intern until the following summer. This early start allows you to understand market expectations, identify organizations that align with your interests, and build relationships with potential employers.

For undergraduate students considering law as a career path, starting your internship search during junior year provides ample time to gain experience before law school applications. Create a strategic plan that includes your target practice areas, preferred geographic locations, and the type of work environment where you envision yourself thriving. Are you interested in corporate law, criminal justice, environmental law, or public interest work? Understanding your preferences helps you focus your efforts on organizations that genuinely match your career aspirations.

Research the specific hiring timelines for different organizations. Large law firms typically recruit for summer positions during fall and winter, while government agencies and nonprofits may have different schedules. Mark these dates on your calendar and set reminders to ensure you don’t miss application deadlines. Creating a spreadsheet with target organizations, application deadlines, and contact information helps you stay organized throughout the process.

Build a Strong Academic Foundation

While internship positions don’t always require exceptional grades, a solid GPA demonstrates your commitment to excellence and your ability to manage complex material. Most competitive internships, particularly at prestigious law firms and government agencies, have minimum GPA requirements ranging from 3.0 to 3.5. Even if your current GPA falls below these thresholds, focus on improving your grades in upcoming semesters, as many employers will consider your most recent performance.

Beyond your overall GPA, pay special attention to grades in substantive law courses relevant to your target practice area. If you’re interested in corporate law, strong grades in contracts, corporate law, and business-related courses strengthen your candidacy. For those pursuing criminal law, excellent performance in criminal procedure, criminal law, and evidence courses matters significantly. Employers view specific course performance as an indicator of your competency in that particular legal domain.

Consider taking elective courses that demonstrate specialization in your chosen field. These courses not only deepen your knowledge but also show potential employers that you’ve thoughtfully pursued your legal interests. Additionally, if your law school offers advanced writing seminars or specialized clinics related to your target practice area, prioritize these opportunities as they provide both academic credentials and practical experience.

Develop Relevant Legal Skills

Internship positions increasingly favor candidates who arrive with foundational legal skills already developed. Legal research and writing are fundamental competencies that employers expect interns to possess. Dedicate time to mastering legal research databases such as Westlaw and LexisNexis, which many law schools provide free access to. Understanding how to efficiently conduct case law research, statutory analysis, and secondary source research will make you an immediately productive intern.

Writing skills are equally crucial. Legal writing differs significantly from academic writing, emphasizing clarity, precision, and persuasive argumentation. Complete all legal writing assignments with care, seek feedback from professors, and revise your work multiple times. Many law schools offer legal writing clinics or tutoring services—take advantage of these resources. Additionally, consider creating a writing portfolio that demonstrates your best work to potential employers.

Beyond research and writing, develop proficiency with relevant legal technology and software. Familiarity with case management systems, document automation tools, and legal practice management software makes you more valuable to potential employers. Many firms now expect interns to have at least basic competency with these tools. You can find free or low-cost tutorials online for popular legal software platforms.

Seek opportunities to develop practical skills through law school clinics, where you can work with real clients under attorney supervision. Alternative dispute resolution clinics, criminal defense clinics, and civil rights clinics all provide invaluable hands-on experience that makes your internship application more competitive. These experiences demonstrate that you can apply legal knowledge in real-world contexts.

Network Effectively in the Legal Community

Networking remains one of the most powerful tools for securing internships, yet many students underutilize it. The legal profession is relationship-driven, and many internship positions are filled through personal connections before they’re ever formally advertised. Attend bar association events, law school networking mixers, and industry conferences where you can meet practicing attorneys and legal professionals.

Join professional associations relevant to your practice area interests. Organizations like the American Bar Association, specialty bar associations, and student sections within these organizations host regular networking events specifically designed for students and early-career professionals. These events provide low-pressure opportunities to introduce yourself to attorneys, ask questions about their careers, and express interest in internship opportunities.

Leverage your law school’s alumni network strategically. Many law school websites maintain databases of alumni willing to mentor students or discuss career opportunities. Reach out to alumni working at organizations where you’d like to intern, express genuine interest in their work, and ask if they might be willing to grab coffee or have a brief phone call. Most attorneys appreciate students who take initiative and show sincere interest in the profession.

Attend firm open houses, recruitment events, and career fairs organized by your law school. These events are specifically designed to connect students with potential employers. Come prepared with thoughtful questions, a firm handshake, and business cards if possible. Follow up with contacts you meet within 48 hours with a brief email reminding them of your conversation and reiterating your interest in their organization.

Craft a Compelling Resume and Cover Letter

Your resume is your first opportunity to make a strong impression on potential employers. Legal resumes follow a specific format and convention that differs from standard business resumes. Use a chronological format that lists your education, experience, skills, and relevant activities. Your legal education should appear near the top, including your law school name, graduation date, GPA (if 3.5 or above), relevant coursework, and academic honors.

In the experience section, focus on accomplishments rather than mere job duties. Instead of writing “assisted with legal research,” write “conducted statutory analysis and case law research resulting in a memo identifying three viable legal arguments for settlement negotiation.” Use action verbs and quantify your contributions whenever possible. Include any legal experience, internships, volunteer work, and relevant employment that demonstrates your commitment to the legal field.

Create a skills section highlighting legal research databases, writing proficiency, language abilities, and technical skills. Many employers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) that scan resumes for specific keywords. Research the job posting carefully and incorporate relevant terminology naturally throughout your resume. If the posting emphasizes legal writing, ensure your resume mentions legal writing experience prominently.

Your cover letter should be personalized for each position and organization. Generic cover letters are immediately recognizable and significantly reduce your chances of consideration. Research the organization thoroughly—understand their practice areas, notable cases, values, and culture. In your opening paragraph, demonstrate specific knowledge of the organization and explain why you’re interested in that particular internship. The middle paragraphs should highlight relevant experiences and skills that match the job requirements. Your closing should express enthusiasm and include a clear call to action.

Keep your cover letter to one page, use a professional tone, and proofread meticulously. A single typo or grammatical error can eliminate your application from consideration. Have multiple people review your materials before submission. Law school writing centers often provide resume and cover letter review services—utilize these resources.

Leverage Online Job Platforms and Resources

Multiple online platforms specialize in legal internships and entry-level positions. LawCrossing, Symplicity, and Indeed host thousands of legal internship postings from firms, government agencies, and nonprofits nationwide. Create accounts on these platforms, set up job alerts for positions matching your criteria, and check regularly for new postings. Many platforms allow you to save positions and set reminders for application deadlines.

Your law school likely uses a dedicated career management system where employers post internship opportunities exclusively for students. Check this platform frequently, as positions may be filled quickly. Additionally, many law firms post internship opportunities on their own websites under career or recruiting sections. Identify target firms and visit their websites regularly to monitor new postings.

LinkedIn is an invaluable tool for legal job searching and networking. Create a professional LinkedIn profile that mirrors your resume and highlights your legal interests and experiences. Follow target firms and organizations to stay informed about their activities, job postings, and company culture. Connect with attorneys and legal professionals, but personalize your connection requests with a brief message explaining why you’re interested in connecting.

Government websites such as USAJobs.gov post federal internship and clerkship opportunities. State bar association websites often maintain job boards listing opportunities with local firms and organizations. Don’t overlook these resources, as government and public interest internships can be equally valuable and sometimes face less competition than prestigious private firm positions.

Prepare for Interviews Like a Professional

Once your resume and cover letter successfully secure an interview, preparation becomes paramount. Research the organization thoroughly, understanding their practice areas, recent cases, firm culture, and leadership. Review the organization’s website, recent news articles, and social media to demonstrate genuine knowledge during your interview.

Anticipate common interview questions and develop thoughtful responses. Prepare to discuss your interest in law, your career goals, why you’re interested in that specific organization, and how your experiences have prepared you for the role. Practice the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) for behavioral questions, using specific examples from your experiences to demonstrate your competencies.

Prepare thoughtful questions to ask your interviewer. Questions about the organization’s work, mentoring opportunities, day-to-day intern responsibilities, and firm culture demonstrate genuine interest and engagement. Avoid questions about compensation or benefits in initial interviews; focus instead on learning about the opportunity and organization.

Conduct mock interviews with law school career services, mentors, or peers. Practice articulating your experiences clearly and concisely, maintaining strong eye contact, and projecting confidence. For virtual interviews, test your technology beforehand, dress professionally, and ensure your background is clean and professional. Treat virtual interviews with the same seriousness as in-person meetings.

After your interview, send a thank-you email within 24 hours to each person who interviewed you. Reference specific topics discussed and reiterate your genuine interest in the position. This follow-up reinforces your professionalism and keeps you top-of-mind as the hiring team makes their decision.

Consider Diverse Practice Areas

While many students fixate on prestigious large law firms, diverse practice areas offer equally valuable and sometimes more enriching internship experiences. Government agencies, nonprofit organizations, public defender offices, and in-house corporate counsel departments all provide excellent legal internship opportunities. These environments often offer greater responsibility, exposure to a broader range of legal issues, and more direct client contact than large firms.

If you’re interested in criminal law, consider internships with district attorneys’ offices, public defender agencies, or criminal justice organizations. These positions provide invaluable courtroom experience and understanding of the criminal justice system that directly impacts your legal career. For those interested in civil rights and social justice, nonprofits and legal aid organizations offer meaningful work addressing systemic issues.

Corporate internships within companies provide insights into in-house legal departments and business law that differ significantly from law firm experience. Environmental law internships with agencies or nonprofits, intellectual property internships with tech companies, and immigration law internships with advocacy organizations all provide specialized knowledge and networks valuable throughout your career.

Explore internships in practice areas you’re genuinely uncertain about. This is your opportunity to test whether a particular legal field aligns with your interests and strengths before committing to it long-term. Many attorneys find their true passion through internship experiences in unexpected practice areas. Remaining open to diverse opportunities often leads to more fulfilling career paths and broader professional networks.

Additionally, consider location flexibility. Some of the most competitive and rewarding internships exist in smaller legal markets outside major metropolitan areas. Expanding your geographic search increases your opportunities significantly and may expose you to legal communities and networks you wouldn’t otherwise access.

FAQ

What’s the best time to start applying for law internships?

Begin your internship search at least six to nine months before your desired start date. For summer internships, start applications in fall or early winter of the previous year. Law firms and many organizations fill competitive positions quickly, so early action provides significant advantages. Even if you’re not ready to intern immediately, starting your research and networking early helps you understand market expectations and build relationships with potential employers.

Do I need prior legal experience to get a law internship?

While prior legal experience strengthens your application, it’s not absolutely required for entry-level internships. Law schools and many organizations expect to train interns, particularly those in their first year. However, demonstrating initiative through volunteer work, relevant coursework, strong academics, and networking compensates for lack of prior legal experience. Each application is evaluated holistically, and other factors can outweigh limited experience.

How important is GPA for securing a law internship?

GPA matters more for internships at prestigious law firms and government agencies, many of which have stated minimum GPA requirements around 3.0 to 3.5. However, many valuable internships don’t have strict GPA requirements. If your GPA is below competitive thresholds, focus on other strengths: relevant coursework, demonstrated skills, networking, and genuine passion for the field. Government and public interest organizations often prioritize fit and commitment over strict GPA metrics.

Should I intern during my first year of law school?

Many law schools encourage first-year internships, though some students wait until second year when they have more legal knowledge. First-year internships provide early exposure to legal practice and help you explore practice areas before committing to upper-level coursework. However, the value depends on the specific internship. A meaningful first-year internship at a nonprofit or government agency often surpasses a less relevant second-year position at a prestigious firm. Choose based on the quality of the opportunity and alignment with your interests.

How do I follow up after submitting an application?

Wait at least one week after submitting your application before following up. If the posting listed a contact person, send a brief, professional email reiterating your interest and asking about the timeline for their hiring decision. Keep the follow-up concise and courteous. Avoid multiple follow-ups unless specifically invited to do so. If you haven’t heard back after three weeks, a single follow-up email is appropriate. However, some organizations explicitly request no follow-ups, so respect those preferences.

Can networking really help me get a law internship?

Networking is extraordinarily valuable in the legal profession. Many internship positions are filled through personal connections before formal job postings are published. Attending networking events, connecting with alumni, and building genuine relationships with practicing attorneys significantly increases your opportunities. Studies show that a substantial percentage of legal positions are filled through personal referrals and networking. While strong credentials matter, personal connections often provide the initial opportunity to have your materials reviewed and considered seriously.

What should I wear to a legal internship interview?

Dress in business formal attire: a dark suit, professional dress shirt or blouse, conservative tie or accessories, and polished dress shoes. Your appearance should be conservative and professional, as the legal field maintains traditional standards. Avoid bold colors, excessive jewelry, visible tattoos if possible, and trendy fashion. Your goal is to project professionalism and competence, allowing your qualifications to be the focus of the interview rather than your appearance. When in doubt, err on the side of formality.