Ever wondered how laws are actually written, argued, and enforced? Law programs give you a front row seat to the legal world, helping you move beyond headlines and into real legal thinking. Through case analysis, mock trials, debates, and research projects, you start to understand how arguments are built, how courts make decisions, and how legal systems shape everyday life.
Why studying law in NYC is a great option?
New York City offers a unique environment for exploring law. The city is home to major courts, universities, nonprofit organizations, and civic institutions that run structured programs for students interested in the legal field. Many NYC-based programs allow you to build skills in legal reasoning, public speaking, research, and policy analysis while keeping costs manageable by staying local. Some programs simulate real legal practice, giving you experience with constitutional interpretation, courtroom procedures, and collaborative problem solving.
Below, we have curated 15 law programs for high school students in NYC. You can also check out our blog on summer law programs for high school students.
15 Law Programs for High School Students in NYC
1. Brooklyn District Attorney’s High School Summer Internship Program
Location: Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, Brooklyn, NY
Stipend: $150/week
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 21
Eligibility: Brooklyn high school students entering junior or senior year
The Brooklyn District Attorney’s High School Summer Internship Program gives you an insider’s look into how a district attorney’s office functions while exposing you to different areas of law. You may assist with tasks such as organizing case documents, reviewing financial data, conducting basic legal research, and observing court proceedings. Interns are placed either in a general trial zone or in specialized units such as Homicide, Victim Services, Domestic Violence, Civil Rights, or Investigations, allowing you to see how different bureaus handle cases. Throughout the program, you’ll build skills in research, documentation, and analytical reasoning while gaining firsthand insight into legal processes and case preparation.
2. Manhattan District Attorney’s High School Internship Program (HSIP)
Location: Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, Manhattan, NY
Stipend: Interns will be paid minimum wage
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: No information available
Program Dates: June 29 – July 31
Application Deadline: January 26 – March 12 (tentative; based on previous years)
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors living in Manhattan
HSIP is a five-week paid internship that introduces you to the inner workings of the criminal justice system. You’ll participate in workshops, discussions, and a mock-trial program to deepen your understanding of legal processes and courtroom procedure. The internship also emphasizes workplace skills, providing experience in professional communication and office responsibilities. If you’re interested in how prosecutors prepare cases or how legal decisions are made, this program offers a structured way to observe and engage with these processes.
3. Internship at The United States Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of New York
Location: Brooklyn and Central Islip, NYC
Cost | Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Varies by opportunity
Program Dates: Opportunities available throughout the year
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Rising seniors from an accredited high school | Must be U.S. citizens
The United States Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York offers unpaid internships across several legal support units for students interested in federal law and criminal justice. You’ll be assigned to units such as Paralegal-Legal Studies, Automated Litigation Support, and Library Legal Information and Resource Center, where you may assist with tasks like trial preparation, legal research, case organization, or evidence management. Each placement exposes you to the procedural side of federal prosecution and the administrative work that supports attorneys in their work. Depending on your unit, you may also work with information systems, public-facing materials, or victim and witness coordination. All interns must be U.S. citizens and complete a security clearance before starting the program.
4. Columbia Law High School Law Institute (HSLI)
Location: Columbia Law School’s campus, New York, NY
Cost | Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Fall Semester Dates: October 11 – November 15 (every Saturday) | Spring Semester Dates: January 31 – March 7 (every Saturday)
Application Deadline: September 12
Eligibility: High school students
Columbia Law’s HSLI is a free, year-long program that introduces you to core areas of law through weekly on-campus classes taught by Columbia Law students. In your first year, you may study Constitutional Law and Criminal Law using structured lessons that include readings, discussions, and short assignments designed to build legal reasoning and analytical skills. Returning students may participate in the Moot Court program or an advanced seminar focused on topics such as criminal procedure, wrongful conviction, human rights, or international law. Throughout the program, you’ll also hear from guest speakers and participate in a culminating moot court event, giving you a clear window into how legal thinking is developed and practiced.
5. Thurgood Marshall Summer Law Internship Program
Location: Various law firms and organizations across NYC
Stipend: Paid, but the exact amount is not specified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: June 18 – August 28, with mandatory employee training sessions on April 2 – 16 (tentative; subject to change)
Application Deadline: January 13 (tentative; subject to change)
Eligibility: NYC high school students who are at least 16 years old
The Thurgood Marshall Summer Law Internship Program matches you with law firms, corporate legal departments, and public interest organizations across NYC for a summer internship. You’ll build practical experience through day-to-day office work while taking part in structured workshops on resume development, professional etiquette, and mock interviews in the spring. You’ll also attend networking events and receive one-on-one mentorship from practicing attorneys, giving you insight into how legal professionals navigate their careers. Throughout the program, you’ll be introduced to multiple areas of law and the wide range of roles within the legal field, helping you develop early professional skills and a clearer understanding of potential career pathways.
6. Youth Action Institute Fellowship
Location: Center for Justice Innovation, New York City, NY
Cost | Stipend: Free | First-year fellows are paid $15/hour
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Up to 20 participants
Program Dates: September 30 – June
Application Deadline: July 21 – September 7
Eligibility: New York City residents aged 16–21
The Youth Action Institute Fellowship is a public policy research program in which you’ll study how law, youth justice, and community advocacy intersect. Across the fellowship, you’ll receive training in qualitative research methods, anti-oppression frameworks, and New York City’s policy landscape. You’ll analyze issues related to public safety and legal equity while contributing to youth-driven policy proposals aimed at driving systemic change. The program emphasizes collaborative research and community-focused inquiry. You may also have the opportunity to present your research-based recommendations to stakeholders in community-based organizations, government offices, and advocacy groups for feedback and dialogue.
7. Columbia University Pre-College Summer Programs – Law Tracks
Location: Columbia University, New York, NY
Cost: $12,764 (Residential 3-Week Program) | $6,310 (Commuter 3-Week Program) | $2,830 (Commuter 1-Week Program) | Financial aid available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Dates vary based on sessions and type of program; Check here for Residential program dates and here for Commuter program dates
Application Deadline: March 2 (Residential Program) | April 2 (Commuter Program)
Eligibility: High school students (only students aged 15 and above can apply to the Residential program)
Columbia University’s Pre-College Summer Programs let you take college-level courses in a structured university setting, with options to reside on campus or commute. If you want to focus on law, you can choose from courses such as Constitutional Law, Exploring Careers in Law, Human Rights in the 21st Century, Corporate Law, Criminal Law, The Supreme Court and Major Topics in U.S. Law, or Trial Advocacy. Depending on the course, you might analyze judicial decisions, practice legal writing, explore public policy questions, or simulate processes like moot court or trial preparation. You’ll spend four hours per weekday in class, work with instructors who specialize in their fields, and earn a certificate of participation upon completion.
8. New York University (NYU) High School Law Institute
Location: NYU Washington Square Park campus, New York City, NY
Cost | Stipend: None
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Weekly on Saturdays throughout the Fall and Spring semesters
Application Deadline: August 15
Eligibility: High school students living within commutable distance to NYU’s Washington Square Park campus
The NYU High School Law Institute is an academic-year program in which you’ll work through core areas of law in structured, discussion-based Saturday sessions. You’ll study topics such as constitutional law, criminal law, legal reasoning, and argumentation, with emphasis on civic analysis, evidence-based claims, and analytical writing. Trained undergraduate instructors lead classes with support from law school faculty. Throughout the year, you’ll work on your speech and debate skills, carry out assignments related to your interests, and engage in discussions with peers on legal issues.
9. The Sonia & Celina Sotomayor Judicial Internship Program – High School Division
Location: Various courthouses across New York City, NY
Cost | Stipend: Not specified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Typically in July, with a one-day orientation in May
Application Deadline: December 9 – January 31 (tentative; based on previous years)
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors from NYC
The Sonia & Celina Sotomayor Judicial Internship Program places you inside the chambers of a New York City state or federal judge for an immersive look at how courts operate. You’ll assist with tasks such as legal research, organizing case materials, and observing hearings to understand the judicial decision-making process. The program also includes workshops focused on public speaking, analytical reasoning, and navigating legal career pathways. The internship pairs day-to-day court exposure with guided skill-building, giving you firsthand insight into the operations of the judiciary.
10. The School of The New York Times – Media Law
Location: New York City, NY
Cost: $6,195 (Day Program) | $7,695 (Residential Program) | Additional $50 application fee | Scholarships available; click here to learn more
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Selective, with a limited number of spots
Program Dates: July 5 – 17 (Term 3) | July 19 – 31 (Term 4)
Application Deadline: April 30 (tentative; based on previous years); apply before December 1 (Early Enrollment deadline) to receive a $500 discount
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, or seniors, as well as graduating seniors | Must be between the ages of 15–18
The Media Law course offers an immersive introduction to the legal frameworks that shape modern journalism. As part of the program, you’ll explore core topics such as press freedom, defamation, privacy, and copyright while examining how these issues play out in real-world reporting scenarios. You’ll analyze scenarios involving source protection, image use, and libel considerations, developing a clearer understanding of how journalists assess legal risk in their work. Instruction combines classroom discussions with reporting assignments that you’ll evaluate for potential legal risk. You’ll also hear from professionals in media and law, and may visit organizations involved in press rights, giving you a practical view of how legal decisions influence the reporting landscape.
11. Brooklyn Navy Yard Internship Programs
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Stipend: Yes, but the exact amount is not specified
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: 8-week sessions in the spring, summer, and fall
Application Deadline: Varies based on session
Eligibility: College-bound high school seniors, as well as college students
The Brooklyn Navy Yard Internship Programs place college-bound high school seniors in paid, 8-week internships aligned with their academic interests and specific skillsets. If you’re interested in law, you may be matched with Brooklyn Navy Yard-based businesses that work in areas like legal support, compliance, or tax services, giving you exposure to how legal processes operate inside real organizations. You’ll handle tasks that reflect the daily workflow of these teams, whether that involves organizing documents, assisting with research, or observing how regulatory issues are managed. The program also emphasizes essential professional skills, such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.
12. Ladders for Leaders Program
Location: Various locations across NYC
Stipend: Minimum of $16.50; stipend amount might vary based on internship placement
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Exact dates vary by employer; internships typically last 6 weeks
Application Deadline: February 3
Eligibility: NYC high school or college students aged 16–24 | Must be legally allowed to work in the U.S.
The Ladders for Leaders Program provides high school students with paid summer internships, coordinated by the NYC Department of Youth & Community Development. You may be assigned to internships across multiple industries, including law firms or corporate legal teams that introduce you to basic legal workflows and professional expectations. Alongside your internship hours, you’ll participate in workshops focused on communication, workplace conduct, and career readiness. The program also offers mentorship and networking opportunities to assist you in managing your internship and preparing for upcoming academic or career goals.
13. Rice University Precollege Program – Law: Shaping a Just and Equitable World
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,795 (financial aid available)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: All high school students, including graduating seniors | Must be 13 years or older
Rice University’s Law: Shaping a Just and Equitable World course introduces you to core legal principles and how they influence education, employment, and property rights. Through case-based discussions and structured analysis, you’ll examine how legal frameworks intersect with questions of fairness and access. The curriculum also focuses on the ethical dimensions of legal decision-making, requiring you to evaluate the real-world consequences of such decisions. The program concludes with a Capstone Project in which you serve on a mock legal task force, identify a set of connected social issues, and develop a holistic legal proposal to address them.
14. University of Notre Dame’s Pre-College Online Program – Law: Thinking Like a Lawyer
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,795 (need-based scholarships available)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students aged 13 and above, as well as students taking a gap year between high school and college (no more than 1 year post-high school graduation)
The University of Notre Dame’s Law: Thinking Like a Lawyer online course introduces you to the analytical tools lawyers use to apply rules to facts, with a focus on the IRAC method. You’ll examine how the U.S. legal system functions, compare constitutional structures across countries, and study elements of international law, sport law, and intellectual property. Throughout the course, you’ll complete guided assignments and a Capstone Project that requires you to evaluate the legal reasoning behind a drug possession case.
15. William and Mary’s Pre-College Online Program – Constitutional Law: We The People
Location: Virtual
Cost: $1,595 (need-based scholarships available)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High School Students, including those who are taking a “gap year” between high school and college | Must be at least 13 years old | Must be no more than 1 year post-high school graduation
William and Mary’s Constitutional Law: We The People course introduces you to the core arguments, structures, and conflicts that shape the U.S. constitutional interpretation. You’ll study how the Constitution was drafted, compare competing schools of thought on interpretation, and examine case studies involving federalism, individual rights, and the judiciary’s role. The curriculum also covers landmark decisions and the function of amendments, with particular attention to how courts balance state and federal authority. Throughout the course, you will work on guided assignments and a final project that involves analyzing a Supreme Court case using a particular interpretive framework.
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 – Columbia University