ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Certified Legal Intern Jobs (NOW HIRING)

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsCertified Legal Intern Jobs

Certified Legal Intern information

See salary details

$11

$19

$29

How much do certified legal intern jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 30, 2026, the average hourly pay for certified legal intern in the United States is $19.79, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.11 and $22.36 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Certified Legal Intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Certified Legal Intern, you need a solid understanding of legal research, writing, and analysis, typically supported by enrollment in law school and meeting your jurisdiction’s certification requirements. Familiarity with legal research databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis and proficiency in document drafting software are commonly required. Strong communication, attention to detail, and time management are standout soft skills for this role. These competencies are crucial to delivering accurate legal work, supporting supervising attorneys, and gaining practical experience in a professional legal environment.

What is a Certified Legal Intern?

A Certified Legal Intern is a law student, typically in their final year of law school, who is authorized to practice law under the supervision of a licensed attorney. Through special certification programs, such as those offered by state bar associations, these interns can represent clients, appear in court, and handle legal matters to gain practical experience before becoming licensed attorneys. This role provides valuable hands-on training and helps students transition from academic study to professional practice.

What types of tasks and responsibilities can a Certified Legal Intern expect to handle on a daily basis?

As a Certified Legal Intern, you can expect to be involved in a variety of substantive legal work under the supervision of licensed attorneys. Your daily responsibilities may include assisting with legal research, drafting motions and briefs, interviewing clients or witnesses, and attending court proceedings. You'll also have opportunities to observe and sometimes participate in hearings or negotiations, depending on your jurisdiction's rules. This role offers valuable, hands-on experience and insight into the practice of law, making it an excellent stepping stone for future legal careers.

What is the difference between Certified Legal Intern vs Law Clerk?

AspectCertified Legal InternLaw Clerk
Required CredentialsTypically law students or recent graduates, may need certification or internship approvalLaw students or recent graduates, often with legal education background
Work EnvironmentInternship settings, law firms, courts, legal departmentsLegal offices, courts, law firms, government agencies
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in educational and legal internship programs, often for trainingCommonly employed to assist judges or attorneys with research and case preparation

The main difference is that Certified Legal Interns are typically law students or recent graduates participating in supervised internships, often with certification, while Law Clerks are usually law students or graduates working in legal settings to support attorneys or judges. Both roles involve legal research and assistance, but the Certified Legal Intern designation emphasizes internship status and certification, whereas Law Clerk roles are more formal employment positions.

What cities are hiring for Certified Legal Intern jobs? Cities with the most Certified Legal Intern job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Certified Legal jobs? The most popular types of Certified Legal jobs are:
What states have the most Certified Legal Intern jobs? States with the most job openings for Certified Legal Intern jobs include:
Certified Legal Intern jobs near you
Infographic showing various Certified Legal Intern job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 77% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $41,159 per year, or $19.8 per hour.

Certified Legal Intern: SUMMER '27 / ACADEMIC YR 2026-2027

Office of the Public Defender 15th Judicial Circuit Palm Beach County

West Palm Beach, FL • On-site

Full-time, Temporary, Internship

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

The Palm Beach County Public Defender's Office, 15th Judicial Circuit, is a client-centered, dynamic advocacy office providing representation to people whose lives and liberty are at stake.
The office handles close to 30,000 cases per year and has approximately 200 employees including lawyers, investigators, social workers, and support staff. The main office, housing the trial and appellate divisions, is in downtown West Palm Beach and there are four branch offices in other areas of the county.
Divisions include: County Court; Felony; Mental Health; Major Crimes; Youth Defense; Appeals; and Investigative & Social Services' Units.
Recruiting Summer 2027 AND Academic Year 2026-2027 Certified Legal Intern Volunteers: Students enrolled in a credit-bearing law school practice program, or who have already participated as a CLI in such a program, may receive academic credit and are unpaid/volunteer. Internships run for 10 weeks over the summer and are full time.
Overview: Certified Legal Interns (CLIs) shadow a County Court attorney for a week (on average). Next, our Misdemeanor Division assigns the CLI a small County Court caseload, for which they possess responsibility as they would if they were a practicing attorney.
Assigned to a single division, the attorney assigned to the misdemeanor division supervises and works closely with the CLIs. The Misdemeanor / County Court Chief reviews their cases with them. CLIs attend all court proceedings and act as the attorney of record for all of their assigned clients, with a supervising attorney present, and often try one or more cases as first chair attorney and multiple as second chair.
To be a CLI in Florida as a law student,
(a) file a Registrant Bar Application or Florida Bar Application with the Florida Board of Bar Examiners;
(b) pass a criminal fingerprint check conducted by the Florida Board of Bar Examiners or receive a letter of clearance as to character and fitness from the Florida Board of Bar Examiners;
(c) be enrolled in an American Bar Association approved law school in the United States and appear as part of a credit-bearing law school practice program;
(d) have completed legal studies amounting to at least 2 semesters or 3 quarters for which the student has received not less than 24 semester hours or 36 quarter hours of academic credit or the equivalent;
(e) be certified by the dean, or the dean's designee, of the student's law school as being of good character and competent legal ability and as adequately trained to perform as a legal intern in a law school practice program; and
(g) receive no compensation or remuneration of any kind.

Apply