If you’re a high school student in Texas thinking about a future in law, joining a summer program can be a good way to start exploring the field early on.
Summer law programs typically are hosted to give you practical insight into how the legal system works. You might take part in mock trials, learn how to build legal arguments, or work alongside legal professionals. These programs often include guest sessions with attorneys and judges, training in public speaking or legal writing, and guidance on preparing for law school.
Whether you’re drawn to courtroom procedures, legal research, or justice-related topics, Texas offers a variety of in-person and virtual programs that match different interests and experience levels. To help you find the right fit, we’ve curated a list of 15 summer law programs for high school students in Texas!
15 Summer Law Programs for High School Students in Texas
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by the program.
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June – August), Fall (September – December), Winter (December – February), and Spring (March – June).
Application deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: High school students with a passion for research can apply
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
2. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by the program.
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter.
Application deadline: On a rolling basis. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Eligibility: Ambitious high school students located anywhere in the world. AI Fellowship applicants should either have completed the AI Scholars program or exhibit experience with AI concepts or Python.
Veritas AI, founded by Harvard graduate students, runs remote AI programs for high school students. If you’re just starting, the AI Scholars program introduces you to the basics of AI, machine learning, and data science over 10 sessions. You can also carry out research at the intersection of law and AI! You’ll also work on a small project using real-world datasets. If you already have some experience, the AI Fellowship lets you work one-on-one with a mentor on a research project. You’ll get support from a publication team to help you submit your work to student journals. You can also check out some examples of past projects here.
3. Summer Legal Academy: Office of the Harris County Attorney
Location: Harris County Attorney’s Office, Houston
Cost: No cost; stipend $15/hour
Dates: July 14 – 25
Application deadline: March 23
Eligibility: Open to students in high schools in Harris County who are entering grades 10 through 12
The Summer Legal Academy is a free two-week program run by the Harris County Attorney’s Office for high school students in Harris County. It introduces you to the basics of a legal career through law school-style lectures, LSAT practice, and sessions with attorneys, judges, and law students. You’ll learn about different areas of law, take part in logic games, and review case studies. The program includes a mix of group discussions and hands-on activities. One key part of the program is helping you understand the law school application process and what to expect in law school.
4. Houston Bar Association Communities In Schools (CIS) Summer Interns
Location: Houston area law firms
Cost: No cost; stipend provided
Dates: Eight weeks during the summer
Application deadline: Typically due in spring
Eligibility: Open to academically advanced high school students from at-risk schools
The Houston Bar Association, in partnership with Communities In Schools of Houston, offers an eight-week summer internship for high-performing students from at-risk schools. If selected, you’ll work in a law firm or legal office, receive a stipend, and observe the daily work of legal professionals. Alongside the internship, you’ll join enrichment sessions like courthouse visits, legal writing workshops, and meetings with judges and attorneys. Past participants have toured the University of Houston Law Center and other legal institutions to understand how different parts of the legal system function.
5. Rice University: Law Pre-college Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,495
Dates: Multiple 2-week and 4-week sessions available
Application deadline: Varies by session, typically one week before the program starts
Eligibility: For students ages 13+
Rice University offers a remote Law Pre-College Program that introduces you to how legal systems affect society. The course covers topics like civil rights, property law, employment regulations, and access to education. You’ll explore ideas such as intellectual property, workplace rights, and how legal rules shape fairness. The course uses case studies and real-life examples to help you understand how laws work in everyday situations. It ends with a final project, and you’ll earn a Certificate of Completion from Rice University.
6. High School Pre-Law Academy: Stephen F. Austin State University
Location: Stephen F. Austin State University, Nacogdoches
Cost: $850+ $25 registration fee
Dates: June 15-21
Application deadline: Registration typically opens January 8 each year for the following summer
Eligibility: Open to high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Stephen F. Austin State University’s High School Pre-Law Academy is a week-long program held on the SFA campus in Nacogdoches, Texas. It’s designed for students interested in studying law. You’ll attend lectures, take part in mock trials, analyze simulated crime scenes, and join legal debates. The program includes sessions with professors, judges, and attorneys. One key feature is the mock trial tournament, where you’ll work with legal professionals to prepare and present a case. Crime scene investigation and discussions on legal topics are also part of the schedule.
7. George P. Kazen Fellowship Program
Location: Downtown Laredo, Texas
Cost: Free
Dates: June 3–July 1
Application deadline: January 26
Eligibility: High school students
This four-week legal fellowship takes place at the George P. Kazen Federal Courthouse in Laredo. It’s open to high school students from Laredo, with a focus on first-generation and low-income students. If selected, you’ll rotate through different courtrooms, meet judges and attorneys, and join field visits to learn how state and federal legal systems work. You’ll also receive mentorship from professionals in the judiciary. The program offers a close-up view of legal processes while helping you build confidence in civic and legal settings.
8. Dallas Bar Association—Summer Law Intern Program
Location: Various law firms, non-profits, and corporate legal departments across Dallas, TX
Cost: Free
Dates: Session 1: June 9 – July 3 | Session 2: July 7 – August 1 | Full Session: June 9 – August 1
Application deadline: April 4
Eligibility: Open to current Dallas ISD high school juniors with an academic average of 85+ and a maximum of 10 absences
If you’re a junior in the Dallas Independent School District, the Summer Law Intern Program gives you a chance to work in a legal setting for four to eight weeks. Run by the Dallas Bar Association with DISD, this paid internship places students in law firms, nonprofits, or corporate legal departments. You’ll complete a learning curriculum, visit courthouses, and attend legal seminars. The program also helps you build workplace and communication skills. While not required, experience in mock trials, debate, or fluency in Spanish can strengthen your application.
9. World Scholars Academy Law Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by session (approx $2000)
Dates: Every Saturday or Sunday for 4 weeks
Application deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: High school students aged 15-18 years
World Scholars Academy runs a four-week online law internship focused on legal research and academic writing. You’ll work in a small group to study a legal topic such as antitrust law, capital punishment, or political economy, depending on the session. The program includes weekend sessions with interactive discussions, literature reviews, and writing workshops. You’ll co-author a research paper with support from a mentor and get feedback throughout the process. Papers can be submitted to the World Scholars Review and entered into the Best Review Award competition. A certificate of completion is provided at the end.
10. Notre Dame Pre-College Online: Thinking Like a Lawyer
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,495
Dates: 2- and 4-week sessions available
Application deadline: Varies by selected cohort
Eligibility: Open to students ages 13 and up
This online course from the University of Notre Dame introduces you to legal thinking through the IRAC method (Issue, Rule, Application, Conclusion). You’ll study how legal systems work, compare constitutional models, and explore topics like sports law, human rights, and intellectual property. The course includes readings, writing assignments, and a final project where you apply legal reasoning to a set of facts. You’ll also look at real legal cases to see how lawyers handle facts, ethics, and fairness. At the end, you’ll earn a Certificate of Completion.
11. JTB’s ConnectED
Location: Virtual (JTB University)
Cost: No cost
Dates: August 4–8
Application deadline: June 30
Eligibility: High school students interested in the legal field
JTB’s ConnectED is a free virtual program that introduces high school students to legal careers. It runs for five days and includes four one-hour live Zoom sessions, plus 1 to 2 hours of recorded content and group work each day. You’ll hear from judges, lawyers, and legal educators about their experiences and learn about current legal issues through small group discussions. One part of the program is a social justice project, where you’ll research and present on a legal or civic topic. You’ll need internet access and a device with video and audio to take part.
12. Georgetown University’s Law Pre-College Online Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,795
Dates: 1-week intensives, 2-week sessions, and 4-week sessions available
Application deadline: Varies by selected cohort
Eligibility: Open to students ages 13 and up
Georgetown University offers an online law course that introduces you to how lawyers think and work. You’ll study how attorneys build arguments, evaluate evidence, and review real cases. The course includes interactive modules where you’ll learn to separate facts from opinions and explore how legal decisions are made. One part of the course involves analyzing high-profile cases, such as the Lululemon trial, to see how lawyers build timelines and present arguments. You’ll also compare legal systems across countries and examine how lawyers balance logic and emotion. The course ends with a capstone project focused on legal reasoning.
13. UCLA Mock Trial Summer Institute
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,288
Dates: August 3–9
Application deadline: July 25
Eligibility: Open to students in 9th-12th grade in Spring
The UCLA Mock Trial Summer Institute is a week-long residential program for high school students interested in courtroom practice. You’ll learn how mock trials work by studying courtroom procedures, legal arguments, and witness examination. You’ll work in small teams and train with coaches and members of UCLA’s mock trial team. The program ends with a full mock trial competition. It also includes public speaking sessions and a visit to the Los Angeles Superior Court.
14. CJ Summer Camp
Location: College of Criminal Justice at Sam Houston State University
Cost: $725
Dates: Session 1: June 8 – 12 | Session 2: June 22 – 26 | Session 3: July 6 – 10
Application deadline: May 1
Eligibility: High school students aged 15-17
The Criminal Justice Summer Camp is an immersive four-day camp that gives high schoolers a close-up look at careers in criminal justice. You will interact with professionals from the FBI, DEA, U.S. Marshals, Texas Department of Criminal Justice, and more. Activities include mock crime scene investigations and discussions with law enforcement and forensic experts. Hosted at Sam Houston State University, the camp blends experiential learning with exposure to real-world criminal justice systems. You will also receive swag, like a T-shirt and a backpack, as part of the experience.
15. Peña Aleczander Summer Internship Program
Location: Peña Aleczander, McAllen
Cost: No cost
Dates: Not specified, contact the office for more information
Application deadline: April 12
Eligibility: High school students interested in law
This hands-on summer internship places high school students directly in the world of civil and criminal litigation. Interns observe client meetings, depositions, mediations, and even live trials alongside experienced attorneys. The program covers areas like white-collar defense, catastrophic injury, and commercial litigation. You’ll have the chance to contribute to legal research, case preparation, and office coordination, gaining a full-spectrum view of legal practice. Though unpaid, it’s a rare chance to witness the real-life demands and dynamics of Texas courtrooms.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs! This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. You can find the application link here!
Image source – UCLA