Law programs for high school students serve as a foundational introduction to the American legal system, judicial procedures, and the professional responsibilities of an attorney. They provide opportunities for experiential learning through mock trial simulations, legislative drafting, and direct placement in legal environments. They allow you to develop core competencies in oral advocacy, analytical reasoning, and legal writing while examining topics like constitutional law, criminal procedure, and civil litigation.
Why should you choose a program in Tennessee?
Tennessee offers a distinct landscape for legal education, owing to its blend of historic judicial significance and a robust statewide network of civic organizations. You will find that the state hosts unique programs, such as the Tennessee Governor’s Schools and the YMCA Youth in Government, which are deeply integrated into the local government infrastructure and provide direct access to the State Capitol and judicial chambers. Nashville, as a legal and political hub, provides opportunities to observe the Tennessee Supreme Court and federal district courts, while Memphis and Knoxville offer specialized bar association internships aimed at increasing diversity and professional exposure.
In this blog, we’ve put together a list of 15 law programs for high school students in Tennessee. If you’re interested in other opportunities, you can also check out our list of summer programs in Tennessee here or a set of medical-specific offerings here.
15 Law Programs for High School Students in Tennessee
1. Nashville Bar Association High School Summer Intern Program
Location: Nashville, TN
Cost: No cost, both paid and unpaid internships are available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 1 – July 17
Application Deadline: March 27
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and graduating seniors with at least a 2.0 GPA
Through this internship, you will gain direct exposure to the daily operations of a professional legal workplace via a seven-week placement at a law firm, corporate legal department, or government agency. Your responsibilities can include assisting attorneys with case research, observing courtroom proceedings, and participating in weekly educational sessions. It can be a strong way to build professional communication skills and understand the administrative procedures in a legal office. The program will provide a mentor who will guide you through the complexities of the legal profession in Nashville. There are also weekly Lunch and Learn sessions to enable networking, understand legal careers, discuss how to navigate law school, and more.
2. Memphis Bar Association Summer Law Intern Program (SLIP)
Location: Memphis, TN
Cost: No cost, interns receive a $500 Stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 1 – 26
Application Deadline: March 27
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
SLIP places you in a private law firm, corporate legal division, or government law office to observe the practical application of law in Memphis. Throughout the four-week duration, you will assist with legal research, observe negotiations, and accompany attorneys to court hearings. You will learn about the different types of legal practices, ranging from criminal prosecution to corporate transactions, working 15 hours per week under the supervision of a designated mentor. SLIP prioritizes first-generation college students and/or law students or those with limited exposure to law practice, making it a highly accessible opportunity.
3. US Senate Youth Program (Tennessee Delegates)
Location: Virtual interviews followed by the in-person summit in Washington, D.C.
Cost: No cost, delegates receive a $10,000 scholarship.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective, only 2 students per state
Dates: March 7 – 14
Application Deadline: September 22
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents serving in elected leadership roles
This highly prestigious program allows you to serve as one of two delegates representing Tennessee for an intensive week-long study of the federal government. The program will provide you with direct access to the three branches of government, including meetings with a Supreme Court Justice and senior cabinet officials. You will observe Senate sessions and attend briefings from experts in law and public policy. The program emphasizes the historical and contemporary application of the US Constitution and the legislative process. This distinguished program concludes with a $10,000 undergraduate scholarship to support your future studies in government or law.
4 Rhodes College Mock Trial Academy
Location: Memphis, TN
Cost: $2,400
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 21 – 29
Application Deadline: February 15 for early decision | April 1 for regular
Eligibility: High school students
This program offers an in-depth study of advocacy theories and criminal trial rights at a leading collegiate mock trial institution. You’ll collaborate with experienced coaches to hone your skills in public speaking, presentation, and argument development. The curriculum includes lectures on constitutional theories, the federal rules of evidence, and practical applications in trial. On the final day, you’ll participate in a full mock trial to showcase your courtroom skills. Completing the program grants you one college course credit. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to live on campus and work alongside other high-achieving students from around the country.
5. Tennessee Governor’s School for International Studies
Location: University of Memphis, Memphis, TN
Cost: Free (State-funded)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective, only 60 students accepted in total across all tracks from over 300 applicants
Dates: June 6 – 27
Application Deadline: December 5
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors in Tennessee nominated by their high schools
Part of the state-funded Tennessee Governor’s School, this track offers you the opportunity to study the complexities of international law, diplomacy, and global politics in a rigorous academic environment. The curriculum focuses on how international treaties are formed and how global institutions like the United Nations operate. You can develop advanced research and writing skills by analyzing contemporary global issues from multiple perspectives. The program will include guest lectures from experts in international relations and legal scholars. You will work closely with university faculty to explore the intersection of law and foreign policy.
6. Tennessee Governor’s School for Humanities
Location: UT Martin, Martin, TN
Cost: Free (State-funded)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective, only 60 students accepted in total across all tracks from over 300 applicants
Dates: May 31 – June 26
Application Deadline: December 5
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors in Tennessee
In this track of the Tennessee Governor’s School, you will explore the humanities through a lens that includes media, philosophy, and political science. The curriculum encourages you to examine the historical development of legal and social systems through intensive reading and discussion. The program provides an environment where you will practice critical thinking and analytical writing under the guidance of expert faculty. While there are multiple courses available, Political Science 210: American Government & Politics offers a for-credit intensive at the intersection of law, justice, and political philosophy.
7. Tennessee YMCA Youth in Government (YIG)
Location: State Capitol building, Nashville, TN
Cost: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 2,500 students from across the state
Dates: February 26 – March 1
Application Deadline: Keep an eye on the program website for details
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9 – 12 from schools with YIG delegations
YIG is a four-day simulation of the Tennessee state government at the State Capitol in Nashville, in which you will take on the role of a state representative, senator, lawyer, or lobbyist to engage directly in the democratic process. As a participant in the judicial branch, you can argue cases before a student supreme court and develop oral advocacy skills. You will draft and debate original legislation following the same procedures as the Tennessee General Assembly. The program can be a good way to practice public speaking, parliamentary procedure, and critical analysis of public policy.
8. ALA Volunteer Girls State Tennessee
Location: Lipscomb University, Nashville, TN
Cost: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: May 24 – 30
Application Deadline: Keep an eye on the program website for details, selections are managed by local high schools and ALA chapters
Eligibility: Rising high school senior girls selected by local high schools and ALA units based on academic achievement and leadership qualities.
This week-long leadership experience for young women is centered on simulating Tennessee’s state and local government. You will be assigned to a mock city and political party to elect officials and manage the operations of a representative government. The program includes a judicial component in which you will participate in mock court proceedings and learn about the judiciary’s responsibilities. You will debate legislation, vote on policy initiatives, and work within a team to address community challenges. There are also lectures from visiting legal and political professionals who share insights into their career paths.
9. American Legion Boys State Tennessee
Location: Tennessee Tech University, Cookeville, TN
Cost: Free
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 600 young men selected across the state
Dates: May 24 – 29
Application Deadline: May 19
Eligibility: Male high school students who are rising seniors recommended by their high schools and local American Legion posts
Similar to the American Legion Auxiliary Girls State, Boys State is an objective and practical training program that focuses on the operation of city, county, and state governments for young men. You will be elected to various offices and work within a mock government structure to carry out official duties. The program includes legislative sessions, where you will draft bills, and judicial proceedings, where you will observe and participate in trials. You will listen to presentations from law enforcement officials and legal experts about the American justice system.
10. Tennessee High School Mock Trial Competition
Location: Nashville, TN for the state finals
Cost: Varies by school
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Open to all Tennessee high schools
Dates: March 20 – 21 for the state finals, while district competitions take place in February
Application Deadline: January 23
Eligibility: Students in grades 9 – 12 currently enrolled in a Tennessee high school
In this program, you’ll work as part of a team to simulate a trial based on a fictional criminal or civil case supplied by the Tennessee Bar Association. You’ll assume the roles of attorneys and witnesses, preparing opening statements, direct examinations, and closing arguments. You’ll also learn the Tennessee Rules of Evidence and how to make timely objections during a trial. Actual judges preside over the competition, and practicing attorneys score your performance and offer feedback. The winning team goes on to represent Tennessee at the National High School Mock Trial Championship.
11. Tennessee 4-H Congress
Location: State Capitol, Nashville, TN
Cost: $400, with scholarships available for state finalists, regional public speaking winners, and state 4-H Congress officers
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective, limited by county enrollment; not more than 5 students selected per county
Dates: March 7 – 10
Application Deadline: December 5 for the state; local county deadlines may be earlier
Eligibility: 4-H members in grades 9 – 10
The Tennessee 4-H Congress sends you to Nashville to learn about the legislative branch of government and the roles of elected officials. You will step into the role of a legislator by debating bills on the floor of the Tennessee House and Senate chambers. The program will include workshops on the legislative process, public speaking, and leadership development. You will meet with your local state representatives and senators to discuss current policy issues affecting your community. You will also tour the Tennessee State Capitol and the State Museum to understand the state’s judicial and political history.
12. Oak Ridge Internship Program – Legal/City Attorney’s Office
Location: Oak Ridge, TN
Cost: No cost; paid internships
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Internships are available in spring, summer, and fall semesters. Summer internships run from May 26 to around August
Application Deadline: March 31 for summer internships
Eligibility: High-achieving high school students in grades 11 – 12
The City of Oak Ridge offers opportunities to serve as a legal intern in its Legal Department to gain professional experience in municipal law. Your role will involve projects such as digitizing public records, researching new city ordinances, and completing administrative tasks. You will participate in a formal orientation and attend group lunches with mentors to discuss career ambitions. The internship requires a commitment of between 20 and 30 hours per week under the guidance of a legal professional.
13. Vanderbilt Summer Academy: Introduction to Legal Studies
Location: Nashville, TN
Cost: $2,750
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 7 – 13, June 21 – 27, July 5 – 11, or July 12 – 18
Application Deadline: January 14, followed by rolling reviews
Eligibility: High-achieving rising high school juniors and seniors who have either standardized test scores or two educator recommendations and a resume
This course teaches you the foundational principles of American law, covering torts, civil litigation, criminal law, and constitutional law. The curriculum will guide you through the analysis of landmark cases and the interpretation of statutory language. The program emphasizes the development of legal reasoning and the ability to construct logical arguments in both written and oral formats. You will participate in simulations that require you to apply legal theories to hypothetical disputes. It provides a solid introduction to the core foundations of legal studies.
14. Harvard Summer School: Secondary School Program – Legal Studies
Location: Online
Cost: Ranges from $4,180 – $15,735, depending on course duration and number of credits
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 20 – August 8 for 7-week program | July 12 – August 8 for 4-week program
Application Deadline: February 11
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors and graduating seniors aged 16+ by June 20
Harvard University offers a variety of undergraduate-level courses across various subjects in Legal Studies. You can enroll for courses covering topics such as the philosophy of law, intellectual property law, and the application of law to artificial intelligence. The program requires a high degree of academic independence as you participate in lectures and discussion sections alongside university students. You are expected to learn to analyze complex legal texts and produce high-quality academic writing. You will have complete access to Harvard’s online library resources for your research. Upon successfully completing the program, you will receive an official Harvard transcript that can be used for future college applications.
15. Brown Pre-College Online: Comparative Legal Systems & International Criminal Justice
Location: Online
Cost: $3,364
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Rolling admissions
Dates: June 29 – July 10
Application Deadline: May 8
Eligibility: High-achieving high school students
This program explores diverse criminal justice systems and their underlying legal frameworks worldwide. Using the U.S. legal system as a main reference, it examines Common Law in England, Civil Law in France and Germany, and Sacred Law in Saudi Arabia. The course includes analyzing broader trends in how various legal traditions handle crimes like murder or professional negligence. This course teaches the distinction between inquisitorial and adversarial systems of justice as well as the impact of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights. You will also complete a final project in which you design an ideal justice system based on your comparative knowledge of global legal traditions.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like criminal, civil, corporate, property, tort, and constitutional, 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 – Vanderbilt University