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Legal Internship information

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How much do legal internship jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for legal internship in Reston, VA is $20.59, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.78 and $23.27 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Legal Internship vs Paralegal?

AspectLegal InternshipParalegal
Required CredentialsTypically students or recent graduates, some may have paralegal certificatesUsually requires a paralegal certification or associate degree
Work EnvironmentTemporary, educational, often in law firms, corporate legal departments, or government agenciesFull-time, professional role in law firms, corporations, or government agencies
Employer & Industry UsageUsed for training and gaining experience; often unpaid or stipend-basedPaid position; responsible for legal research, document preparation, and case management

Legal internships are primarily educational opportunities for students or recent graduates to gain legal experience, often unpaid or stipend-based. Paralegals are trained professionals who perform substantive legal work, typically paid, with more responsibilities and a formal certification or degree. While both roles support legal teams, internships focus on learning, whereas paralegals handle ongoing legal tasks.

What is a legal internship?

A legal internship is a temporary position, typically held by law students or recent graduates, that provides practical experience in a legal setting. Interns work under the supervision of attorneys and may conduct legal research, draft documents, assist with case preparation, and observe court proceedings. These internships help interns gain hands-on skills, build professional networks, and explore different areas of law. Legal internships can be found in law firms, corporate legal departments, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations.

What types of tasks and projects can a legal intern expect to work on during their internship?

As a legal intern, you can expect to assist with legal research, drafting memos and briefs, reviewing case files, and attending client meetings or court proceedings. Interns often gain hands-on experience by supporting attorneys with case preparation and conducting preliminary analysis of legal issues. The variety and complexity of tasks will depend on the size and focus of the firm or organization, but most internships are structured to provide exposure to multiple aspects of legal practice, fostering both learning and professional growth.

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

To thrive as a Legal Intern, you need strong research, analytical, and writing skills, often supported by current enrollment in or recent graduation from law school. Familiarity with legal research databases such as Westlaw or LexisNexis, as well as proficiency in Microsoft Office, is commonly required. Attention to detail, professionalism, effective communication, and a willingness to learn are standout soft skills in this role. These skills and qualities are important to ensure accuracy in legal work, contribute to team objectives, and build a solid foundation for a future legal career.
What are the most commonly searched types of Legal jobs in Reston, VA? The most popular types of Legal jobs in Reston, VA are:
What job categories do people searching Legal Internship jobs in Reston, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Legal Internship jobs in Reston, VA are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Legal Internship jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Legal Internship job openings:
Legal Internship jobs near you
Infographic showing various Legal Internship job openings in Reston, VA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 9% Internship, 1% As Needed, 68% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,820 per year, or $20.6 per hour.
U.S. Fall Legal Internship

U.S. Fall Legal Internship

EarthRights International

Washington, DC • On-site, Remote

Other

Re-posted 10 days ago

Job description

Position: U.S. Fall Legal Internship
Location: Based in Washington D.C., with remote work available anywhere in the U.S
Reports to: U.S. Staff Attorneys
Pay: Unpaid. ERI is unable to provide a salary, stipend, or housing assistance, but will work withyou to arrange course credit or a stipend through your school
Prerequisite: This internship is only available to law students who can receive course credit fortheir internship from their law school.
Starts: Fall 2026


Application Deadline: Rolling until July 15, 2026


EarthRights International, a nongovernmental, nonprofit organization that combines the power oflaw and the power of people in defense of human rights and the environment, is seeking fallinterns for our District of Columbia office.


ERI's U.S. Fall Legal Interns are law students able to work full-time or part-time for at least10-12 weeks during the fall semester. Legal interns provide legal research, writing, and programsupport for ERI activities all over the world. Law students may be J.D. or LL.M. students, butmust have at least one year of U.S. legal training by the time of the internship.


Over the past 30 years, ERI has built a reputation as one of the leading legal organizationsrepresenting communities and individuals from around the world whose rights, livelihoods andhomelands are harmed by corporations, financial institutions and governments. Our lawyers haveworked closely with our clients, co-counsel, partner NGOs, campaigners and others to bringgroundbreaking lawsuits and pursue legal advocacy to provide remedies and ensure legalaccountability. Our cases have set legal precedents, brought millions of dollars of compensationto our clients, and changed the behavior of corporations and other institutions; one of our casesinvolving environmental harms to communities in India, Jam v. International FinanceCorporation, was argued at the U.S. Supreme Court and set important precedent for futureaccountability of international financial institutions. Another, Doe v. Chiquita BrandsInternational, resulted in the first U.S. jury finding of liability for human rights abuses abroad.


Legal interns participate in various projects associated with many of our cases, including legalresearch, writing and assistance in all phases of litigation. Interns also contribute to other legalwork including development of new cases, monitoring and exploring developments in humanrights and environmental law, researching and utilizing other mechanisms of corporateaccountability, and helping to coordinate with and assist other groups bringing domestic orinternational cases. Interns are fully integrated into ERI's U.S. legal team and may work with anyof ERI's attorneys and other staff in advocacy and communications programs.


Requirements:

  • A demonstrated commitment to using the U.S. legal system to serve vulnerable communities and/or protect human rights and the environment
  • Independent and creative thinking skills
  • Excellent legal research and writing skills
  • Ability to responsibly handle client, partner, and colleague relationships and protect the confidentiality of our work and our communications


Additional desired qualifications include:

  • Proficiency in languages other than English; Spanish fluency is highly desired
  • Experience in fields related to issues of human rights, environmental protection and indigenous peoples, including regional studies, development, environmental sciences, or others
  • Strong interpersonal skills, cultural competency skills, and ability to work in teams
  • Experience or interest in working with people from diverse cultures
  • A positive attitude


Application Procedures:
The deadline for applications for Fall 2026 is July 15, 2026. Applications are considered ona rolling basis; students are encouraged to submit their applications as early as possible.


Students interested in the position of U.S. Fall Legal Intern should submit a cover letter, resume,and a legal writing sample of ten pages or less. Due to the volume of applications, ERI is unableto interview every applicant. We typically conduct virtual interviews.


EarthRights International is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate inits hiring practices, and actively encourages people of color, women, people withdisabilities, and LGBTQI people to apply.


For more information on the work of EarthRights International visit www.earthrights.org

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