ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Legal Summer Intern Jobs (NOW HIRING)

ncmec

Intern DEPARTMENT: Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) LOCATION: Alexandria, VA SEMESTER: Summer 2026 Interested Applicants ONLY General Description: NCMEC's Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) manages and ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsLegal Summer Intern Jobs

Legal Summer Intern information

See salary details

$9

$20

$31

How much do legal summer intern jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for legal summer intern in the United States is $20.32, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.11 and $25.48 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Does a Legal Summer Intern Do?

As a legal summer intern, your duties are to assist with research and clerical work at a law firm. You may work under attorneys or paralegals, study legal cases, draft memos, and provide other essential duties to the firm while you gain experience with the legal setting. The responsibilities of a summer intern at a law firm vary depending on where you are in your studies. Undergraduates seeking more experience and an understanding of the law may have fewer responsibilities than those who are already in law school.

What Does a Summer Legal Intern Do?

A summer legal intern performs a variety of administrative and legal research duties to assist attorneys at a law firm. Law students typically start internship programs after their first year at law school, although some do not begin until after their second year. Internships are both a way for you to get a sense of the industry and practical experience and a way for law firms to assess potential hires once they finish with law school. Your duties are to research cases, assist attorneys and paralegals in preparing court documents, interview witnesses in civil or criminal cases, and perform other responsibilities as needed.

What are Legal Summer Interns?

Legal Summer Interns are typically law students who work for a law firm, government agency, or legal department during the summer. Their primary role is to gain practical legal experience by assisting with legal research, drafting documents, attending hearings, and supporting attorneys with casework. These internships provide valuable exposure to the legal profession and help students develop skills they will need in their future careers. It is also an opportunity for networking and learning about different areas of law.

What is the difference between Legal Summer Intern vs Legal Associate?

AspectLegal Summer InternLegal Associate
Required CredentialsTypically law students or recent graduates; no bar admission neededLicensed to practice law; bar admission required
Work EnvironmentTemporary, internship setting; often in law firms, corporate legal departments, or government agenciesFull-time, permanent position; similar work environments but with more responsibilities
Employer & Industry UsageUsed during summer months for training and experience; common in law firms and corporate legal teamsEntry-level position after graduation; used in law firms, corporations, and government

The main difference between a Legal Summer Intern and a Legal Associate is experience and credentials. Interns are usually law students gaining practical experience without being licensed, while associates are licensed attorneys with full responsibilities. Internships are temporary, often during summer, whereas associate roles are permanent positions within legal organizations.

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

To thrive as a Legal Summer Intern, you generally need strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills, supported by current enrollment in law school. Familiarity with legal research databases such as Westlaw or LexisNexis and proficiency in Microsoft Office are often expected. Initiative, attention to detail, and strong communication skills help interns stand out in this role. These competencies are critical for delivering high-quality work, supporting attorneys effectively, and gaining practical legal experience.

What types of projects and responsibilities can a Legal Summer Intern typically expect to handle during their internship?

As a Legal Summer Intern, you can expect to work on a variety of tasks that provide exposure to real-world legal practice. Typical responsibilities include conducting legal research, drafting memos and briefs, assisting with case preparation, and attending client meetings or court proceedings. Interns often collaborate closely with attorneys and legal staff, which helps develop both substantive knowledge and professional skills. The work environment is usually fast-paced and supportive, offering mentorship and opportunities to learn about different legal specialties.
More about Legal Summer Intern jobs
What cities are hiring for Legal Summer Intern jobs? Cities with the most Legal Summer Intern job openings:
Who are the top companies hiring for Legal Summer Intern jobs? The top employers for Legal Summer Intern jobs are:
What states have the most Legal Summer Intern jobs? States with the most job openings for Legal Summer Intern jobs include:
What are popular job titles related to Legal Summer Intern jobs? For Legal Summer Intern jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Legal Summer Intern jobs near you
Infographic showing various Legal Summer Intern job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 18% Internship, 1% As Needed, 50% Full Time, 28% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $42,263 per year, or $20.3 per hour.

Legal Intern: SUMMER 2027

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

West Palm Beach, FL • On-site

Full-time, Temporary, Internship

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

INTERVIEWS FOR SUMMER 2027 WILL COMMENCE IN FALL 2026.
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 Legal Intern Volunteers: Those who are rising 2Ls and 3Ls during the summer of 2027.
Summer Dates: Ten weeks between late May and early August 2027, following a full-time schedule.
Overview: Legal interns contribute to the effectiveness of our County and Appellate teams. Legal interns are typically rising 2Ls and 3Ls.
The intern program supervisors assign the legal interns to two attorney mentors-one from the trial division and one from the appellate division. Interns shadow the trial mentor at court hearings, depositions, and jail visits. Program supervisors and mentors assign the interns research projects and motions to write. The appellate mentor reviews all of the legal interns' writing projects and makes suggestions before the interns submit the project.
Legal interns attend a writing workshop geared toward improving their motion writing skills and various monthly Continuing Legal Education (CLE) presentations. Each week they have a group check in with two senior Assistant Public Defenders to discuss some of their experiences from that week and to get new assignments. Students do not typically receive academic credit.

Apply