If you’re a high school student interested in law, joining a structured law program can be a great way to get ahead. A law program can include activities such as mock trials, debates, legal writing workshops, courthouse visits, and even internships with law firms and legal nonprofits. Some programs focus on areas like criminal justice, constitutional law, civil rights, or public policy. Early exposure can also help you build a solid foundation, prepare for college and careers, and strengthen your applications by demonstrating initiative and interest in real-world issues.
Why should you study law in Chicago?
Chicago is a great city to explore law because it has so many legal institutions in one place. The city is home to major courts, law schools, law firms, and advocacy organizations, giving you exposure to different sides of the legal world. You can learn about different areas of law, from corporate and immigration law to criminal justice and civil rights. Chicago deals with real legal issues related to urban life, public policy, and social justice, which many programs use as learning examples. The city also has a strong history of legal activism and public policy work.
Here are 15 law programs for high school students in Chicago. If you’re interested in law internships for high school students, you can find them here. You can also check out summer law programs in Chicago here.
15 Law Programs for High School Students in Chicago
1. Saper Law Immersion Program
Location: Saper Law Offices, Chicago, IL
Cost: $875; need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Maximum 40 people per class
Dates: August 10 – 14
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school and college students
The Saper Law Immersion Program is designed for students who want to learn more about the legal field. The program runs daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and includes mock legal activities, writing and negotiation exercises, and field trips, with a focus on business, entertainment, and internet law. It is led by Principal Attorney Daliah Saper and her team, with guest speakers from across the legal spectrum. You’ll hear from lawyers working in fields like environmental law, immigration, and civil rights, as well as legal professionals in corporate, government, and nonprofit roles. Past speakers have included in-house counsel from major companies, former state officials, and attorneys with diverse legal backgrounds. You’ll also work on personal statements and practice LSAT-style questions, giving you an introduction to both the academic and professional sides of law.
2. University of Chicago’s Pre-College Summer Immersion Program — Legal Reasoning and Institutions
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: $9,300 (Residential) | $6,100 (Commuter) + $75 application fee; need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small cohort sizes
Dates: June 15 – 2 | July 7 – 23
Application Deadline: February 11 (priority deadline) | March 12 (regular deadline)
Eligibility: Current high school freshmen, sophomores, and juniors who are 14 or older
The University of Chicago’s Pre-College Summer Immersion Program is a three-week experience where you take a college-level course and explore one subject in depth. You’ll learn through lectures, research projects, discussions, and hands-on activities led by UChicago faculty, researchers, and professionals. Courses cover areas like public policy, law, neuroscience, biology, economics, and more. These graded courses award 100 units of credit, equivalent to a full quarter of college credit. If you’re interested in law, the Legal Reasoning and Institutions course introduces the basics of legal reasoning, how to think like a lawyer, and how the legal system works. You’ll apply rule-based and analytical thinking to everyday examples and study how the law operates within institutions, including constitutional, tort, criminal, and court systems. The course includes simulations, discussions, group work, guest speakers, and court visits, making it a solid option if you are interested in law or how society and politics function.
3. JTB’s Summer Legal Institute
Location: Multiple locations, including Chicago, IL
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 20 – 24 (Chicago, IL)
Application Deadline: April 5 or until all slots are filled
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12
Just The Beginning’s Summer Legal Institute is a five-day program for students interested in the legal field. You will participate in legal activities at law schools, law firms, and local courts in the four program cities. These activities include learning how the legal system works with volunteer attorneys and judges, debating legal issues, analyzing cases, and participating in negotiations or oral arguments. Throughout, you’ll build key skills in public speaking, reading, writing, critical thinking, teamwork, leadership, financial literacy, and professional etiquette. The program will also help you learn what law practice looks like in firms and corporations, connect with legal professionals and organizations that offer internships, scholarships, and mentorship, and receive guidance on college admissions and financial aid.
4. CBA Law & Debate Club
Location: Virtual via Zoom with a few in-person sessions at the Chicago Bar Association, 321 S. Plymouth Court, Chicago, IL
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Limited cohort size
Dates: September 18 – April 16
Application Deadline: Typically in September, before the first club meeting
Eligibility: High school students in the Chicago area who are between 14 and 20 years old
The CBA Law and Debate Club is for Chicago area high school students who want to develop their negotiation and debate skills and learn about careers in law and government. Meetings are held every third Thursday evening from September through April and include role plays based on legal and ethical issues. Guest speakers from different sectors of the legal field participate in the program throughout the year. The program aims to enhance skills like public speaking, debate, negotiation, and advocacy. To register for the club, you must submit a Parent or Guardian Permission Form and a Student Questionnaire Form before the first meeting of the year. You can find more information here.
5. Illinois Tech’s Elevate College Prep Summer Programs — Summer Legal Academy
Location: Virtual or in-person at Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago, IL
Cost: $1,500 – $3,000 (Overnight Programs) | $550 – $2,000 (Daytime Programs) | $300 – $350 (Virtual Programs) + $100 application fee; need-based scholarships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Varies depending on the program; the Summer Legal Academy runs from July 27 – 31
Application Deadline: May 1 (tentative); rolling admissions
Eligibility: Rising 9th–12th graders aged 14–17 can apply; students must be 15 or older to join the overnight program
Illinois Tech’s Elevate College Prep offers STEM-focused summer programs led by faculty and industry professionals. These interactive programs provide opportunities to connect with peers and college students while experiencing campus life. You’ll explore tech-related subjects and develop skills in areas like coding and programming, robotics, science and research, sustainability, the human sciences, and more. These programs will help you expand your knowledge, learn about tech-driven fields, and experience what an Illinois Tech education is like. If you’re interested in law, the Summer Legal Academy is a five-day program that focuses on how the legal system works and includes civic activities. It offers hands-on learning that helps you develop college and career skills and better understand justice, governance, and your rights.
6. University of Chicago’s Pre-College Career Insight — Law and Social Impact
Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: $5,890 (Residential) | $4,100 (Commuter) + $75 application fee; need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 15 – 25 | June 29 – 10
Application Deadline: February 11 (priority deadline) | March 12 (regular deadline)
Eligibility: Current high school students in grades 9–11 who are 14 or older
The University of Chicago’s Pre-College Career Insight program is a two-week, non-credit experience that helps students explore different academic areas and career paths. You’ll learn about college and future career paths from UChicago faculty, university professionals, and industry leaders. You can choose from five different tracks. If you are interested in law, the Law and Social Impact course will introduce you to core ideas and practices in public policy, law, and the social sciences through lectures, readings, discussions, and hands-on activities. You’ll connect with professionals through informational interviews, presentations, and career treks around the city, and work with Career Advancement staff to think through career options and skill development. You’ll also get to apply what you learn through a small group final project, along with individual reflection essays and other assignments.
7. Internship Program at CAIR-Chicago
Location: CAIR-Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: At least four team members are selected by each department or division per session
Dates: January 1 – May 15 (Winter/Spring) | May 15 – August 31 (Summer) | September 1 – December 31 (Fall)
Application Deadline: December 1 (Winter/Spring) | April 15 (Summer) | August 1 (Fall); rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12
CAIR Chicago’s Internship Program provides high school students with hands-on experience in grassroots advocacy. The program runs year-round and can count toward academic credit or community service hours through partnerships with more than 120 colleges and universities, including Ivy League schools, Carnegie Research I institutions, HBCUs, and UC and Texas system schools. You’ll begin with orientation and training, work with staff on real projects, explore different career paths, and finish with a final evaluation and exit interview. You will work at least 144 hours over at least eight weeks, typically more than 10 hours per week. Roles are available in Civil Rights Law, Government Affairs, Communications, Operations, and Outreach. If you perform well, you may be invited back for future sessions, subject to availability.
8. Northwestern College Preparation Program Credit Courses — Law and Society
Location: Virtual or in person at Northwestern University, Evanston, around 30 minutes from Chicago, IL
Cost: $5,781 (Virtual) | $6,936 (Commuter) | $7,557 (Residential) + $60 non-refundable application fee; the exact price may vary based on the number of courses selected
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multi-length courses are offered between June 1 and August 31; the Law and Society course runs from July 27 – August 30
Application Deadline: March 16; rolling admissions
Eligibility: Students who have completed their sophomore or junior year, are 15 to 17 years old by the program start, and have at least a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
Northwestern University’s College Preparation Program allows students to experience college life and earn credit through undergraduate courses. Residential students can take one or more classes lasting three to six weeks, while students from the Chicago area can also enroll as commuters and take classes that run three to ten weeks. If you are interested in law, the Law and Society course examines how law and society intersect, drawing on perspectives from political science, anthropology, sociology, psychology, critical studies, and history. You’ll study how law shapes society, drives change, and interacts with institutions and social norms, mainly in the United States, with some global context through human rights and international law. Topics include social control, legal change, and how law affects complex social systems.
9. Future Justice Lawyers of Chicago (FJLOC) Program
Location: Chicago Appleseed Center for Fair Courts, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Last year, 11 high schoolers participated in the program
Dates: The program runs for about nine months, from mid-January to mid-October
Application Deadline: September 23 – November 15
Eligibility: Students who live in and attend a high school, college, or university in the Chicagoland area
The Future Justice Lawyers of Chicago program is for local high school students interested in law and social justice. Run by the Chicago Appleseed Center for Fair Courts and the Chicago Council of Lawyers, the program will help you understand the legal system and connect with lawyers, law students, and peers focused on addressing systemic injustice. You’ll develop professional writing and research skills through social justice projects aligned with Chicago Appleseed’s mission. With support from a Lawyer Advisor and FJLOC alumni, you’ll research injustices, analyze their impact, and propose evidence-based solutions. You’ll complete a group research report and an individual project on an issue you care about, take part in court watching, and write persuasive essays. By the end of the program, you’ll gain a stronger understanding of justice issues in Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, and beyond.
10. University of Chicago’s Pre-College Summer Online — International Environmental Policy: An Introduction
Location: Virtual
Cost: $4,980 + $75 non-refundable application fee; need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Multiple three- to five-week courses are available between June 15 and August 7; the International Environmental Policy course runs from July 7 – July 23
Application Deadline: February 11 (priority deadline) | March 12 (regular deadline)
Eligibility: Current 9th–12th grade students
The University of Chicago’s Pre-College Summer Online Program offers college-level courses in biology, law, economics, psychology, and more through live sessions and interactive activities. Students in grades 9 to 11 take courses designed for high schoolers, while students in grades 11 and 12 can enroll in real UChicago undergraduate classes and earn grades and 100 units of college credit. If you’re interested in law, the International Environmental Policy course will introduce you to global environmental issues and how countries respond to them. You’ll study topics like climate change, environmental rights, population shifts, the ozone layer, and the role of non-governmental organizations. The course also examines how regional organizations such as the European Union and the Organization of American States address shared challenges through case studies of various nations.
11. CTD’s Academic Summer Camps at Northwestern University — Equal Justice Under the Law
Location: Northwestern University, Evanston, around 30 minutes from Chicago, IL
Cost: $1,005 – $6,105; tuition rates vary by session and course type; need-based financial aid is available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small class sizes
Dates: One-week and three-week camps run between June 28 and August 7
Application Deadline: Each session’s deadline is one week before it begins
Eligibility: Students entering grades 6–12 in the fall can apply; specific course pages may list additional requirements
CTD’s Academic Summer Camps at Northwestern are open to students in grades 6 to 12 and offer one or three-week courses in advanced subjects. Classes are taught by experienced instructors and cover subjects such as math, writing, science, technology, and leadership. Courses are either advanced enrichment or accelerated, with accelerated options covering up to a semester of material. If you’re interested in law, the Equal Justice Under the Law course explores how ideas move from public opinion to actual laws. You’ll study landmark cases, pocket vetoes, and constitutional amendments by tracing them back to appellate courts, state legislatures, and grassroots activism. The course will end with a final simulation and bench argument, in which you’ll work backward from a legal outcome to understand how it could succeed.
12. Hall-Jackson & Associates Internships
Location: Hall-Jackson & Associates, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Year-round opportunities are available
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions; you can send your cover letter and resume to [email protected]
Eligibility: High school, college, and law school students
Hall Jackson and Associates offers externship and internship opportunities for high school, college, and law school students. As an intern, you’ll help with a range of legal tasks, including drafting documents like complaints, motions, discovery requests, and other pleadings. You’ll review documents and evidence, organize and summarize case materials, and conduct legal research using laws, regulations, statutes, constitutions, and court opinions. You’ll also assist with trial preparation by putting together briefs, subpoenas, exhibits, evidence, and motions. Past interns have come from Perspectives High School, Chicago-Kent College of Law, John Marshall Law School, Northern Illinois University, and Florida A&M University College of Law. Throughout the program, you’ll gain practical skills, mentorship, school credit, and experience working with a Chicago employment law attorney.
13. City of Chicago Department of Law Pre-Law Volunteer Program
Location: City of Chicago Law Department, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: Free | Unpaid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Flexible schedule; you must list your exact weekly availability in hours, your expected start and end dates, and clearly state which volunteer program you are applying for
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Highly qualified high school students, college students, or graduates
The City of Chicago Department of Law offers summer law clerk positions, externships, post-graduate fellowships, and volunteer opportunities for students. The Pre-Law Volunteer Program is open to highly qualified high school students, college students, or graduates and is an unpaid externship focused on public service. The Law Department looks for well-rounded applicants with strong academic credentials and an interest in serving the community. All volunteer roles are designed to mirror the demands and rewards of public service and provide a realistic look at practicing law in one of the country’s largest law offices. You should apply early since fingerprinting and background checks are required.
14. JTB’s ConnectED Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: August 3 – 6
Application Deadline: June 30
Eligibility: Students in grades 9–12
JTB’s ConnectED is a five-day virtual program that introduces high school students to the legal field. You’ll explore the path to becoming a lawyer or judge, take a virtual courthouse tour, discuss current legal topics, and build legal skills through interactive workshops. The program includes video, live, and webinar presentations, as well as small-group discussions and activities with other students. You’ll hear from attorneys who focus on social justice and federal judges who will share their paths to the judiciary. You’ll also learn how legal advocacy creates change. You’ll interact with lawyers from different practice areas and take part in legal-focused activities that can help you develop critical thinking, public speaking, professional etiquette, reading, writing, and financial literacy skills. The program is run by JTB staff with support from volunteers in corporations, law firms, and courtrooms who actively engage with students.
15. Chicago Public Schools Career and Technical Education (CTE) at Jones College Prep — (Pre-Law)
Location: Jones College Prep, Chicago, IL
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Four-year program
Application Deadline: Course scheduling takes place each school year during the second semester. For more details, you can contact the Early College and Career Education team at [email protected]
Eligibility: Chicago Public Schools high school students can apply. Freshmen and 10th graders can get more application information from their school counselors
Career and Technical Education gives high school students an early start on college and career preparation. Through CTE programs, you can take part in hands-on training and gain real-world experience through job shadows and internships. At Jones, two CTE pathways are offered in law and engineering. The Pre-Law program focuses on careers in law and public safety, including roles like lawyers, court reporters, police officers, firefighters, and detectives. This four-year honors program will help you develop critical thinking, self-advocacy, debate, and awareness of current issues through mock trials in a modern courtroom. The program includes internships with organizations such as Winston and Strawn, Baker McKenzie, the Illinois Supreme Court, and the Cook County State’s Attorney, as well as courthouse visits and guest speakers. In your third year, you can choose to take a dual credit course through Loyola University and earn college credit. You can learn more about CTE programs here.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like constitutional law, criminal justice, human rights, corporate law, and legal theory, 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 – Jones College Prep