If you’re interested in how laws are made, how courtroom trials function, and what makes a lawyer tick, you should consider attending a summer law program for high school students. Often led by renowned universities and organizations, these programs will leave you with knowledge about laws, justice systems, court proceedings, crime, incarceration, public policies, and more. They also provide hands-on experiences, such as conducting research, analysing case studies, and participating in mock trials.
As a hub of law firms, non-profit organizations, and research universities, California has a variety of law summer programs for high school students to choose from. You can opt for pre-college courses, mentored research programs, or even internships, which will give you a taste of a career in law. In this article, we explore 17 such programs that offer practical experience, advanced courses, and unique networking opportunities.
Here are the top 17 summer law programs for high school students in California:
1. UCLA’s Mock Trial Summer Institute
Location: University of California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: $2,126 for the residential track, $1,961 for the commuter track, $1,288 for the virtual track
Program dates: Session A from July 6-12, Session B from July 13-19, Session C (virtual) from August 3-9
Application deadline: Varies depending on which session and format you choose.
Eligibility: All students in grades 9-12
UCLA’s Mock Trial Summer Institute is a summer law program which focuses on training students for a mock trial. Along with the basics of law and jurisprudence, you will learn about courtroom demeanour, direct and cross examination, opening and closing arguments, exhibits, objections, and witness portrayals. You will also get to visit a real trial in the LA Superior Court and later participate in a mock trial. This will be based on a criminal felony trial and will conclude the program. On completion of the program, you will receive a letter grade.
2. Horizon Academic Research Program (HARP)
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Application Date: Multiple deadlines throughout the year for the Spring, Summer and Fall cohorts.
Program Dates: The spring and fall cohorts run 15 weeks, while the summer cohort runs 10 weeks (June-September).
Eligibility: High school students with good academic standing (>3.67/4.0 GPA) can apply. Most accepted students are 10th/11th graders! A few tracks require prerequisites, see here.
Horizon offers trimester-long research programs for high school students across subject areas such as data science, machine learning, political theory, and more! Horizon is one of the few research programs for high school students that offers you the choice to engage in either quantitative or qualitative research.
Once you select a particular subject track, Horizon pairs you with a professor/PhD scholar who acts as a mentor throughout your research journey. As a participant, you will be expected to develop a 20-page research paper that you can send to prestigious journals for publication as a high school student. The program also provides a letter of recommendation for each student and detailed project feedback that you can use to work on future projects.
3. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
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 law, policy, political science, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
4. Envision and Stanford University’s Intensive Law & Trial
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost: $5,345. Limited financial need is available
Program dates: Session 1 from June 24 – July 3, Session 2 from July 6 – July 15, Session 3 from July 17 – July 26
Application deadline: Students are generally nominated by educators or academic partnerships but you can contact the admissions office to apply directly
Eligibility: All high school students
Envision offers this 10-day summer law program for high school students in collaboration with Stanford Law School. This is a residential program that offers a combination of theoretical and practical learning. Through lectures given by experts, you will learn about legal rhetoric, ethics, and trial essentials like preparing arguments, evidence, and witnesses. There will be plenty of hands-on learning through simulations, workshops, and a final mock trial hosted by the American Mock Trial Association during which you can put your learning into practice.
5. Stanford’s Legal Studies: Critical Thinking Skills
Location: Online
Cost: $3,080. Financial aid is available
Program dates: Session 1 from June 16-27, Session 2 from July 7-18
Application deadline: March 20
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-11
Stanford’s Pre-College Summer Institutes offers this course on law and critical thinking. The program focuses on improving your argumentative skills through debates, roleplaying, and group work during which you will explore human rights issues. You will learn how to analyze complex information, weigh evidence, build an argument and even gauge your opponent’s points. You can expect to spend 2-3 hours per day on assignments and project, culminating in a mock trial during which you will play the role of an advocate or a witness.
6. UCSB’s Summer Research Academies
Location: University of California, Santa Barbara, CA
Cost: $8,774 for the residential track, $2,775 for the commuter track. Limited scholarships are available
Program dates: June 25 – July 25
Application deadline: March 31
Eligibility: 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students who have a minimum GPA of 3.6
UC Santa Barbara’s Summer Research Academies offers a comprehensive research experience for high school students. The program begins with a virtual component during which you will learn the basic skills needed for research. This is followed by a 4-week, in-person component during which you and your group will develop a research project. In the process, you will engage in hands-on labs, conduct investigations, and then analyze data. From all the available research tracks, you can opt for Track 11 which is titled Policy Puzzle. In this category, you will analyze public policies and laws, examining the effect they have and assessing the current theories in the field. The program ends with a presentation of your findings at a seminar. You can also earn 4 university credits through this program.
7. The U.S. Supreme Court & My Hometown
Location: Robert T. Matsui U.S. Courthouse, Sacramento, CA
Cost: Free of cost
Program dates: April 14-18
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students in grades 10-12 who live in Sacramento
Organized by the Supreme Court Historical Society and the University of the Pacific, the U.S. Supreme Court & My Hometown is a law high school program that explores the inner workings of the federal judiciary and the US Supreme Court. This is a week-long program during which you will go on courthouse tours, attend lectures and panel discussions, and engage in unique activities like observing a judge’s calendar or analyze a historical document. You will end the program with a collaborative capstone project and presentation.
8. USC’s Criminal Justice: Law and Punishment
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: $11,347 for the residential track, $7,812 for the commuter track, $11,949 (approximately) for international students
Program dates: June 15 – July 12
Application deadline: March 14 for international students. May 2 for domestic students. Although, applications are accepted on a rolling basis
Eligibility: All students who have completed 9th grade. International students can apply as well
The University of Southern California’s Summer Pre-College Program offers this credit-bearing course for high school students interested in law and punishment. The program examines the US criminal legal system from multiple perspectives, studying things like crime, policing, courts, incarceration, and mental health through sociological, criminological, and historical lenses. You will learn about the major theories of crime and punishment as well as the history of mass incarceration, analyzing books, articles, podcasts, and documentaries in the process. You will even explore ethical issues, such as who can be defined as a criminal.
9. USC’s Legal Reasoning and Argumentation
Location: University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: $11,347 for the residential track, $7,812 for the commuter track, $11,949 (approximately) for international students
Program dates: June 15 – July 12
Application deadline: March 14 for international students. May 2 for domestic students. Although, applications are accepted on a rolling basis
Eligibility: All students who have completed 9th grade. International students can apply as well
Another course offered by the University of Southern California, Legal Reasoning and Argumentation focuses on how lawyers think and how legal reasoning can be applied to everyday life. You will analyze real legal cases, attend federal appellate court proceedings, and work with legal memorandums, and oral arguments. You will not only learn about court systems and the development of the law, but also about law school and what it takes to gain admission. By the end of the program, you will have gained legal analysis and writing skills.
10. UC Berkeley’s Summer Sessions
Location: University of California, Berkeley, CA
Cost: Varies with each course
Program dates: Varies with each course
Application deadline: March 10
Eligibility: High school students who have completed the 10th or 11th grade, have an overall B average (3.0 GPA), and are at least 16 years of age
UC Berkeley’s Summer Sessions have several options for high school students interested in law. The courses are available in multiple formats, from virtual tracks to residential ones. You can choose from a variety of topics including “The Supreme Court and Public Policy”, “Theories of Justice”, “International Relations and International Law”, “Sociology of Law”, and “Law, Politics and Society”. You will get to learn from Berkeley’s faculty, engage in workshops, and attend college preparatory sessions. Most of these courses also offer the option to earn college credit which can benefit you in the long run.
11. CYDL’s Summer Legal Fellowship
Location: University of California, Berkeley, CA (The internship component might be elsewhere)
Cost: Free. A stipend is provided, but the amount has not been specified
Program dates: The program takes place over two months during the summer, specific dates have not been listed
Application deadline: The application period runs from March to May
Eligibility: Sophomores, juniors, and seniors attending a public high school in Oakland, Berkeley, Emeryville, Hayward, El Cerrito, or Richmond
Organised by a non-profit called the Center for Youth Development through Law, the Summer Legal Fellowship provides high school students with educational and employment opportunities during the summer months. This program offers an all-around experience where you attend academic classes and mock trials, learn from legal professionals, get mentorship and career advice, as well as be assigned to a law internship. The internship is generally in a law, government, or non-profit office. You can go through the previous internship hosts here. Aside from learning about law, you will also improve your communication, critical thinking, management, and leadership skills.
12. Project SELF Internship
Location: Internship placements are generally in Orange County, CA
Cost: Free. Interns are paid a wage of $17.50 per hour
Program dates: June 10 – August 1
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old
Hosted by a non-profit organization called Project Youth OC, Project SELF is a summer program that connects high school students with internships at law firms or law-related businesses in Orange County. This is an 8-week, paid internship during which you will receive mentorship from an attorney and aid the company with administrative tasks, research, and project work. You will learn how a professional team functions and improve your skills in areas like communication, problem solving, and analytical thinking. The program also includes personal and professional development workshops.
13. UC Davis’s Summer Sessions
Location: University of California, Davis, CA
Cost: $389 per unit tuition fee, $403.90 per session campus fee
Program dates: Session 1 from June 23 – August 1, Special Session from June 13 – September 12, Session 2 from August 4 – September 12
Application deadline: June 26 for Session 1, August 7 for the Special Session and Session 2
Eligibility: All high school students
UC Davis’s Summer Sessions allow high school students to explore college life while attending undergraduate-level classes. If you’re interested in legal studies, you can explore the political science courses, which include several viable options. “Introduction to Law and Politics” is the most suitable course as it covers the basics of constitutional law and judicial processes in the US. You will learn about judicial interpretation, rights litigation, key constitutional amendments, and socio-political forces that led to changes in the law. Other options include courses on international law, public policy, electoral systems, and legal philosophy. You can also consider the sociology courses for a social analysis of law and justice systems.
14. Summer Springboard’s Trial Law at UC San Diego
Location: University of California, San Diego, CA
Cost: $5,698 for the residential track, $3,298 for the commuter track
Program dates: July 13 – August 25
Application deadline: May 16. Although applications are accepted on a rolling basis
Eligibility: All high school students
Summer Springboard’s Trial Law in San Diego is a pre-law program for teenagers that offers an in-depth look at legal professions and the judicial system. You will take on the role of a trial attorney and gain hands-on skills by researching evidence, developing arguments, and examining witnesses in a mock trial, which takes place in a real court. In the process, you will explore various career pathways and roles involved, such as those of a judge, prosecutor, witness, and juror. You will also get an understanding of constitutional law, legal writing, tort law, and criminal law.
15. Federal Bureau of Prisons’ Student Volunteers Program
Location: Your local BOP office
Cost: Free of cost
Program dates: Not specified
Application deadline: Students can apply on a rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students who are US citizens, at least 16 years of age, and have a minimum GPA of 2.5
The Federal Bureau of Prisons’ Student Volunteers Program allows high school and college students to gain work experience in a federal work environment. As a volunteer, you will be allocated one of BOP’s locations and contribute to the office’s missions and responsibilities. You will learn about the various agencies and departments, getting the chance to explore career pathways while also developing professional skills required in the field. This is a training opportunity that will leave you with a better understanding of how federal agencies function.
16. UC Irvine’s Saturday Academy of Law
Location: University of California, Irvine, CA
Cost: Free of cost
Program dates: October 4 – November 15
Application deadline: Applications open in August, no deadline has been specified
Eligibility: Ninth grade students who are enrolled at Anaheim Union High School District or Santa Ana Unified School District and have a minimum GPA of 2.5
UC Irvine’s Saturday Academy of Law is a summer law program meant to encourage students from underserved backgrounds to pursue a career in law. As a participant, you will have the opportunity to take law classes at UC Irvine, get a taste of college life, and even meet professionals from the field like judges and attorneys. The program is structured over six Saturdays during the fall months. You can expect to learn about legal professions as well as hone your reading, writing, and critical thinking skills. This one isn’t a summer program, but as a free option, it is worth considering.
17. Loyola Marymount University’s Young Lawyers Program
Location: Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: Free of cost
Program dates: Not specified but the program generally takes place in the spring from mid-January to mid-April
Application deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: All high school students from low-income communities
Loyola Marymount University’s Young Lawyers Program encourages high school students from underserved communities to learn about law and pursue legal careers. The program accepts 80-100 students who will attend weekly classes, receive mentoring from law students, and engage in a mock trial with a real judge. You will learn about elements of a trial, such as witness preparation, interviewing, cross-examination, presenting exhibits, opening and closing statements, and making objections. You will also have the chance to learn from practising attorneys and judges through sessions with guest speakers. While this program takes place in the spring, we’ve included it on this list due to the valuable experience of a mock trial.
Here are two bonus options!
1. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year.
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Eligibility: High school students who demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4). No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
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 area, and you can choose to focus on law. For example, one of the previous students worked on “How Legal Provisions in India Enable Police Entrenchment” as their project topic. The program pairs you 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 find more details about the application here.
2. Veritas AI – AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Application deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Program dates: Various according to the cohort. Multiple 15-week cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: 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 focuses on providing high school students who are passionate about the field of AI with a suitable environment in which to explore their interests. The programs include collaborative learning, project development, and 1-on-1 mentorship. You are expected to have a basic understanding of Python or are recommended to complete the AI Scholars program before pursuing the fellowship. The AI Fellowship program allows students to pursue independent AI research projects, which can be interdisciplinary in nature. As a student interested in law, you can focus on a project that looks at the intersection of AI and legal studies. For example, a chatbot that can answer common legal questions or an AI model that can detect bias in court decisions. You can find examples of previous projects here.
Image source – Loyola Marymount University