RESOURCES TO SUPPORT YOUR LAW-RELATED INTERNSHIP AND/OR JOB SEARCH:
Here are some places to start your search for law-related internships and other opportunities:
- Law Firms: Many law firms offer internships to assist with legal research and administrative tasks as well as gain exposure to different practice areas. Websites for specific law firms can be found through online local searches or state-specific ABA directories. The American Bar Association also offers internships.
- Government Agencies: Interning with government agencies such as the U.S. Department of Justice, district attorney’s offices, public defender’s offices, and other local, state, or federal agencies can provide valuable experience. USAJOBS is the official job site for federal government internships.
- Corporate Legal Departments: Large corporations with in-house legal teams sometimes offer internships for pre-law students to gain insight into corporate law and compliance. Networking and searching on corporate websites are helpful in finding such opportunities.
- Courts and Judicial Chambers: Interning with a court or a judge’s chambers can provide hands-on experience in the legal system. Local court websites may have internship listings.
- Legal Aid Societies: Local legal aid organizations provide legal services to individuals who cannot afford representation. For example, websites such as the Legal Services Corporation list internship opportunities.
- Law Libraries: Law libraries at law schools, universities, and legal institutions may offer part-time jobs for aspiring lawyers interested in legal research and information services.
- International Legal Organizations: Some pre-law students might seek internships with international organizations such as the United Nations or international law firms with global practices.
- Volunteering: Search for volunteer opportunities related to your areas of interest via VolunteerMatch. This could be a great way to try something out with low commitment!
- Nonprofit Legal Organizations: Legal nonprofits and public interest organizations offer internships for pre-law students to work on public policy issues. We suggest starting your exploration with Idealist.org– they have a great search engine!
Please also reference your school-based career center’ website for internship postings and internship resources. School-based career centers
SPECIFIC INTERNSHIP SITE SUGGESTIONS (not exhaustive!)
Find various law-related internships, fellowships, engagement programs, and jobs using the list below.
USC-Specific Opportunities
To see a more exhaustive list, click on the Dornsife website menu and navigate to “Departments, Centers, & Institutes.” The opportunities below are ones popular amongst pre-law students.
- Alumni Mentorship Program
- Center for Advanced Genocide Research
- Center for the Political Future
- Child Interviewing Lab
- Gateway Internship Program
- Joint Educational Project
- SOAR (Academic Year)
- SURF/SHURE (Summer)
Internships & Fellowships
These are opportunities that tend to be hosted on a regular basis (e.g. every summer).
- CAPAL Public Service Internship
- D.C. Criminal Law Internship Program
- FirstGEN Fellows Program
- Koch Internship Program
- Loyola Project for the Innocent Summer Internship
- OCA National Center Internship Program
- Paragon Policy Fellowship
- Progressive Pipeline Fellowship
- Running Start Congressional Fellowship
- Women’s Congressional Policy Institute Internship Program
Law-Related Study or Work Abroad Opportunities
- Humanity in Action Fellowship
- USC Problems Without Passports
- USC Schaeffer Fellows in Government Service
- USC Washington D.C. Program
Organizations
Check out these organizations to see when they post an internship opening.
- American Bar Association
- American Civil Liberties Union
- Asian Americans Advancing Justice
- Bet Tzedek
- California Department of Rehabilitation
- California Lawyers for the Arts
- Community Legal Aid SoCal
- Dignity and Power Now
- Eviction Defense Network
- FINRA
- Homeboy Industries
- Human Rights Campaign
- Human Rights First
- Human Rights Foundation
- Human Rights Watch
- Immigrant Defenders Law Center
- Inner City Law Center
- Innocence Project
- International Law Institute
- International Rescue Committee
- JusticeCorps
- Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights
- Legal Aid Foundation
- Los Angeles Civil Rights Department
- Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office
- Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office
- Los Angeles District of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)
- National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC)
- Neighborhood Legal Services
- NYC Legal Aid Society
- People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals
- Policing Project
- Prison Policy Initiative
- San Francisco District Attorney
- Southern Poverty Law Centre
- Sponsors for Educational Opportunity (SEO)
- State of California – Department of Justice – Office of the Attorney General
- Superior Court of California, County of Orange
- United Nations
- US Department of Defense (for civilians)
- US Department of State
- US Department of Justice
- US District Court for the Central District of California
- US Supreme Court
- World Intellectual Property Organization
Incoming Law Student Opportunities
Pre-Law Project
The Pre-Law Project is a program under JEP that is committed to providing all USC students interested in law careers with real legal experiences. The goal is to provide these opportunities so that students can explore the field of law before ever making the decision to apply to law school. By partnering with public interest law firms and civil rights organizations, students are able to secure law-related internships of a variety of commitment levels. If you are interested, make sure to sign-up for JEP the first two weeks of the semester.
*The Pre-Law Project is very competitive and spots are not guaranteed*
USC Prison Education Project (PEP)
As per the Prison Education Project website, “The USC Dornsife Prison Education Project (PEP) creates the opportunity for USC and incarcerated students to learn from each other in a rigorous and collaborative learning environment across a variety of academic disciplines. Through PEP, USC students and faculty design, teach and participate in classes with people incarcerated in the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation system.”
All majors are welcome.
Fellowships
Fellowships are another amazing way to get related work experience. Explore all the resources the USC Academic Honors and Fellowships Office has to offer!
Pathway Programs to Law School
Pathway programs to law school are designed to help undergraduate students from a variety of backgrounds prepare for and gain admission to law school. These programs offer various resources, including mentorship, LSAT preparation, and guidance on the law school application process.
