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Paid Legal Internship Jobs (NOW HIRING)

This internship is a paid opportunity that will run for 10-12 weeks, starting between mid-May and ... Strong legal research, writing, and analysis skills. * Demonstratedinterest in and familiarity with ...

Our paid Legal Internship provides the opportunity to work at our headquarters in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, gaining hands-on experience within our Legal Department. The Legal Intern will primarily ...

Our paid Legal Internship provides the opportunity to work at our headquarters in downtown Cleveland, Ohio, gaining hands-on experience within our Legal Department. The Legal Intern will primarily ...

Legal Services / Professional Association Location: Washington, DC (Hybrid) Assignment Type ... Internship is paid; academic credit is not available. * Candidates must be local to the Washington ...

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Paid Legal Internship information

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How much do paid legal internship jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for paid legal internship 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 is a paid legal internship?

A paid legal internship is a temporary position offered by law firms, corporations, government agencies, or non-profit organizations that allows law students or recent graduates to gain practical experience while receiving financial compensation. Interns typically assist with legal research, drafting documents, case preparation, and other tasks under the supervision of licensed attorneys. These internships provide valuable exposure to the legal field and can help interns develop critical skills, build professional networks, and improve their resumes. The compensation and duration can vary depending on the employer and location.

What types of projects and responsibilities can I expect during a paid legal internship?

During a paid legal internship, you will typically be involved in a mix of research, drafting legal documents, and assisting attorneys with case preparation. Interns often help with reviewing contracts, organizing case files, and attending client meetings or court proceedings. You may also have opportunities to observe negotiations or hearings, giving you valuable insight into daily legal practice. The exact responsibilities vary depending on the size of the firm and the area of law, but hands-on experience and collaboration with legal professionals are common across most internships.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a paid legal intern?

To thrive as a Paid Legal Intern, you need a solid understanding of legal research, strong writing skills, and current enrollment in or completion of law school coursework. Familiarity with legal research databases such as Westlaw or LexisNexis, Microsoft Office Suite, and sometimes e-discovery tools is typically required. Attention to detail, effective communication, and time management are crucial soft skills for excelling in this role. These abilities enable interns to produce accurate work, support attorneys efficiently, and gain meaningful hands-on experience in a fast-paced legal environment.

What is the difference between Paid Legal Internship vs Legal Assistant?

AspectPaid Legal InternshipLegal Assistant
CredentialsTypically students or recent graduates pursuing law degreesLegal secretaries or paralegals with relevant certifications or experience
Work EnvironmentTemporary, educational, often in law firms or corporate legal departmentsFull-time or part-time, supporting legal teams in ongoing cases
Employer & Industry UsageLaw firms, corporate legal departments, government agenciesLaw firms, legal service providers, corporate legal teams

In summary, a Paid Legal Internship is a temporary, educational role mainly for students gaining legal experience, while a Legal Assistant is a more permanent support role requiring specific skills or certifications. Both roles operate within legal environments but serve different career stages and responsibilities.

More about Paid Legal Internship jobs

What cities are hiring for Paid Legal Internship jobs?

Cities with the most Paid Legal Internship job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Paid Legal jobs?

The most popular types of Paid Legal jobs are:

What states have the most Paid Legal Internship jobs?

States with the most job openings for Paid Legal Internship jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Paid Legal Internship jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Paid Legal Internship jobs are:

Infographic showing various Paid Legal Internship job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 23% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $41,159 per year, or $19.8 per hour.

Summer 2027 Legal Internship

ACLU of Massachusetts

Boston, MA • On-site

Other

Posted 7 days ago


Job description

ACLU of Massachusetts Summer 2027 Legal Internship 

Notice to Second-Year Law Students (application period August 14-September 4, 2026) 
The ACLU of Massachusetts (ACLUM) is inviting applications for its Summer 2027 legal internship. The ACLUM Legal team works on cutting-edge civil rights and civil liberties issues, and has undertaken groundbreaking litigation and non-litigation advocacy in areas including, but not limited to free speech, immigrants’ rights, criminal justice, reproductive rights, incarceration during COVID-19, transgender rights, open government, police accountability, government surveillance, racial justice, voting rights, democracy, the separation of church and state, and other issues. 

Position Summary 

Legal interns work on a variety of tasks required for litigation and other legal advocacy, including complaint investigation, legal research and memo writing, drafting of complaints, affidavits, and discovery requests; as well as preparation of pretrial motions, trial preparation, drafting of appellate briefs, and preparation for oral arguments. Students work closely with all members of the Legal department under the supervision of an assigned managing attorney. Students may also assist ACLUM’s Legislative Director in developing testimony for legislative hearings and other public policy materials. 

This internship is a paid opportunity that will run for 10-12 weeks, starting between mid-May and early June 2027, with a regular work schedule of 40 hours per week. The pay rate will be $22 per hour. Applicants should be current law school students who will have completed their second year of law school before the internship commences. 

Qualifications, Experience and Attributes 

  • Current law school students who will have completed their second year of law school before the internship commences. 

  • Strong legal research, writing, and analysis skills. 

  • Demonstrated interest in and familiarity with issues related to civil rights, civil liberties, and social justice. 

  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, as well as strong teamwork and collaboration abilities. 

  • Self-motivated with proven ability to work well with colleagues at all levels of an organization, and a wide range of partners within and outside the organization. 

About the ACLU of Massachusetts 

The ACLU of Massachusetts (ACLUM) was founded in 1920 and is an affiliate of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), a nationwide, non-profit, non-partisan membership organization that works to preserve and expand the freedoms guaranteed by the Bill of Rights. Through strategies of litigation, advocacy, public education, and grassroots activism, we strengthen and expand public understanding of racial justice, juvenile justice, LGBTQ rights, women's rights, criminal justice issues, free speech and assembly, privacy rights, religious liberty, students' rights, voting rights, and reproductive rights. 

ACLUM is an equal opportunity employer and encourages women, people of color, persons with disabilities, members of the LGBTQ community, and formerly incarcerated people to apply. 

This position is based in Boston, MA and eligible for a hybrid work schedule, being in-person an average of three days per week, with the ability to be in the office on any given day as needed and assigned. Residency in Massachusetts or within a 60-mile radius of Boston in a contiguous New England state is required for the duration of employment. ACLUM has a Covid-19 vaccine mandate, and candidates receiving a job offer will be required to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 prior to commencing employment. Exemptions to this requirement will be considered on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable law. Applicants should be aware that fully remote work will not be deemed a reasonable accommodation. 

TO APPLY: Applicants for this opportunity should submit a resume, cover letter that best expresses their interest and unique qualifications, most recent law school transcript, two references (may be from a current or former supervisor, professor, mentor and/or professional colleague), and a writing sample from a legal memorandum wholly authored by the applicant that demonstrates their legal analysis and writing skills. If the writing sample contains confidential information, all identifying facts, names, or otherwise sensitive data should be redacted. 
Applications for Summer 2027 will be accepted between August 14 and September 4, 2026, or until all open positions are filled. Interviews will be scheduled and take place during the first half of September. 

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