The summer months during law school might seem like the perfect time to unwind and catch up on your sleep. But any lawyer who has conquered law school will tell you summer presents a prime opportunity to learn more about the law and gain experience in a practice area of interest.
Many courts, government agencies, law offices, public interest entities, and nonprofit organizations offer summer legal internships of varying kinds. Participating in a law internship, summer clerkship, or legal clinic is one of the most rewarding experiences of many students’ legal education. It’s your chance to build your legal credentials, make valuable connections, and refine your knowledge and skills under the guidance of a licensed attorney, sitting judge, or law school faculty member.
Whether you are a 1L exploring your options, a 2L vying for a summer clerkship, or a 3L preparing to participate in a clinic, this guide will walk you through the available opportunities and how to leverage them to find the best experience to set you up for future career success.
Legal Internships
A legal internship is a great way for you to work closely with experienced legal professionals in a real-world environment and develop your lawyering skills. An increasing number of law schools require the completion of an internship as a 1L or 2L as a prerequisite to graduation.
Depending on your law school’s internship program, you may have access to opportunities in the public service sector, a state prosecutor’s office, the U.S. Attorney’s office, the judicial system, or even a government law organization — just to name a few. An internship is often an unpaid position. However, most internship programs allow students to earn school credit. Check with your school’s Career Center to learn more about their internship specifics.
How to Make the Most of a Legal Internship
Be Open-Minded
Look beyond the familiar areas of law. The exposure to different practice areas will help you discover or reaffirm your career goals. You may be surprised by what piques your interest, so it’s worth submitting an application.
Consider the Location
Do you have your sights set on a certain location after graduation? Interning in your target city, state or country, for that matter, can help you build a local network and bolster your resume for job opportunities in the region. It will also allow you to experience the area so you can either feel more confident in your location decision or mark it off your list.
Begin Networking
It’s especially important in small markets, where associate positions are more competitive, to make professional connections. Those connections might become references or future employers. Plus, during on-campus interviews (OCIs), interviewers tend to notice if you’ve shown interest in their city.
Know Your Limits
Accepting an unpaid internship may be difficult on a tight law-student budget. It’s essential to assess what you can or are willing to handle. Be honest with yourself when considering a legal internship so you have the best opportunity for success.
Summer Clerkships
A clerkship, especially a summer clerkship, entails working alongside practicing attorneys or judges to handle research-heavy tasks, draft opinions, or provide case briefs. Clerkships are considered prestigious and can often act as steppingstones to full-time roles in prominent firms or courts. For this reason, summer clerkship opportunities are limited and competitive.
Clerkships available for 2Ls and 3Ls without a J.D. are generally paid positions with non-judicial employers. Many large law firms hire 2L students as “summer clerks” or “summer associates,” but clerkship opportunities also exist in small and mid-size firms and other sectors.
Because summer clerkships tend to be research and writing intensive, they offer a different kind of experience from most internships, which are generally less formal and more focused on administrative tasks and client interaction. There are a variety of clerkship opportunities from which to choose, depending on your career interests.
State + Federal Clerkships
State court and federal judicial clerkships offer valuable insight into the workings of trial and appellate courts. These positions may be especially appealing if you aim to practice litigation or appellate law.
Debra M. Strauss’s Behind the Bench: The Guide to Judicial Clerkships provides additional information on judicial clerkships and how to obtain one.
Specialty + International Clerkships
Specialty and international clerkships also exist to provide experiences in niche legal areas, such as tax law and corporate law, or in countries outside the U.S.
Post-Graduation Clerkships
Post-graduation clerkships can be tough to get but professionally rewarding. Your second year in law school is the ideal time to apply and begin reaching out to professors for letters of recommendation.
Legal Clinics
If you have limited time to intern or clerk, legal clinics offer an incredible alternative. They allow you to work on real cases, under the academic supervision of a faculty member or practicing attorney, while staying on campus during the semester.
If you already have an interest in an area of law, participating in a related clinic is a great way to find out if it’s really where you want to focus your career. If you don’t know much about an area of law, a legal clinic offers an opportunity to explore a practice area with little risk.
Legal clinics are offered to 2L and 3L law students as a way to apply classroom knowledge to real-life situations. Through clinics, students get direct casework experience drafting motions, assisting in negotiations, or even arguing before a judge — skills that make you more competitive in the post-graduation job market.
Is a Legal Clinic Right for You?
Consider the Time Constraints
Law school clinics require a significant time commitment. After all, you have a real client who is relying on your work and services. If your semester is going to be filled with pro bono hours, board meetings, and other intensive courses such as mock trials, you might want to consider enrolling in a clinic when your schedule will be more accommodating.
Review Semester Credits
Most clinics carry a higher number of credit hours than the average law school course. You’ll want to make sure not to exceed the allowable credit hours at your school. You’ll also want to consider when other courses that you need or want to take are offered. Ask yourself whether it will be possible to take those courses and still commit to a clinic.
Evaluate Your Future Employment Goals
Do you have a practice area in mind? If so, it will be helpful to find a clinic that complements your interest or future aspirations. If you haven’t secured post-graduation employment, enrolling in a particular clinic may help you get hands-on “practice-ready” skills to stand out to potential employers.
Tips for Success in Any Opportunity
Regardless of the path you choose, remember to stay organized, be professional, and seek feedback (it’s invaluable for growth!).
While many employers conduct on-campus interviews to fill their internship positions, the best way to find these opportunities is through your own research, networking, and direct contact. No matter what type of law internship you participate in, the experience is sure to help you gain practical experience, build your legal credentials, and define your future path — to bring you one step closer to a promising legal career.
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