Legal research is how arguments are built, policies are shaped, and decisions are justified using precedent, statutes, and evidence. If you have an interest in law, exploring legal research while still in high school can help clarify whether the field of law actually matches your interests, especially if you prefer analysis, writing, or problem-solving over public speaking. These opportunities go beyond mock trials and debates, giving you exposure to how attorneys, judges, policymakers, and advocates investigate legal questions and apply the law in practice. You may find yourself reviewing case files, summarizing court opinions, analyzing public policy, or supporting ongoing litigation. Together, these experiences offer a realistic look at how legal systems function and where research fits into the process.
Who should consider these opportunities?
Legal research opportunities are best suited for you if you’re curious about how rules are created, challenged, and enforced. If you enjoy reading closely, writing clearly, and working through complex issues with no obvious answers, these programs can be a solid fit. They are also worth considering if you’re interested in careers connected to law, public policy, criminal justice, civil rights, or government, but want exposure before committing to a pre-law track. Some programs focus on courts and litigation, while others emphasize policy research, advocacy, or administrative law. Even if you’re still undecided, legal research experiences can help you test whether this type of work aligns with how you think and learn.
The list below highlights 15 law research opportunities for high school students that offer substantive engagement with the legal field.
Alternatively, you can check out these blogs on criminal justice programs and political science internships for high schoolers.
15 Law Research Opportunities for High School Students
1. Jimerson Birr’s School Internships
Location: Jimerson Birr office, Jacksonville, FL
Stipend: Paid
Dates: 4-6 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Typically, in the spring
Eligibility: High school students
Jimerson Birr’s High School Summer Internship places you inside a Florida-based business law firm and offers exposure that goes beyond strictly legal work. You may assist with legal research, review case materials, or sit in on internal meetings with attorneys handling active matters. The program rotates you through departments such as legal services, marketing, accounting, and information technology, showing how a law firm operates as both a legal practice and a business. You’ll work directly with department heads and staff rather than observing from the sidelines. Assignments emphasize organization, research, and professional communication.
2. Thurgood Marshall Summer Law Internship Program of the New York City Bar
Location: Various locations across New York City
Stipend: $16 – 22/hour
Dates: 6-8 weeks between March and August (see details here)
Application Deadline: December 15 – January 12
Eligibility: NYC public high school students (16+)
The Thurgood Marshall Summer Law Internship Program places you in paid internships across law firms, nonprofits, corporations, and government offices. Before your placement begins, you will complete spring workshops focused on interview skills, legal ethics, and workplace professionalism. During the internship, you may organize case files, assist with document preparation, conduct basic legal research, or support administrative work. Many placements allow you to observe court proceedings, hearings, or client meetings. The program also includes panels and networking events with attorneys from different legal sectors. Past host sites have included major institutions such as Columbia Law School and city agencies.
3. United States Attorney’s Office High School Internship Program
Location: United States Attorney’s Office, Brooklyn, NY
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Summer placements
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Rising seniors from accredited high schools
This internship with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York introduces you to federal prosecution and civil litigation work. Depending on the placement, you may support units handling criminal cases, civil enforcement, appeals, or victim and witness services. You may also observe court proceedings and attend seminars led by federal prosecutors on civil rights and public safety. Other roles include litigation support, law library services, and media or administrative positions. The program highlights how different professional teams contribute to federal legal operations.
4. US Department of Justice (DOJ) Pathways Internship Program
Location: Multiple locations across the U.S.
Stipend: Paid and unpaid internships offered
Dates: Varies
Application Deadline: Varies, depending on position
Eligibility: High school students (16+) with a minimum GPA of 2.0
The DOJ Pathways Internship Program allows you to work within federal offices connected to the U.S. legal system. Your responsibilities vary by placement and may include research, document preparation, policy support, or administrative coordination. You will work alongside attorneys and professional staff while learning how legal frameworks are developed and implemented at the national level. Positions may be paid or unpaid, depending on the office and role. Performance in the program can make you eligible for conversion to a permanent federal position later.
5. Sonia & Celina Sotomayor Judicial Internship Program
Location: Various courthouses across New York City
Cost/Stipend: Not specified
Dates: July
Application Deadline: December 6 – January 9
Eligibility: Current high school juniors residing in NYC’s five boroughs; Must provide working papers
The Sonia & Celina Sotomayor Judicial Internship Program places you in the chambers of a state or federal judge in New York City. You’ll assist with legal research, help prepare case materials, and observe courtroom proceedings related to active cases. The program includes weekly educational sessions covering public speaking, legal careers, college preparation, and critical thinking. Mentorship is built into the structure, with regular interaction between interns and members of the judiciary. Mental wellness support is also incorporated into the program’s professional development model.
6. Atlanta Bar Association: Summer Law Internship Program
Location: Various organizations across Atlanta, GA
Stipend: $2,000
Dates: May 27 – July 17
Application Deadline: February 6 – March 19
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
SLIP is a selective paid internship for high school students in the Atlanta metropolitan area. As an intern, you will be placed at law firms, corporations, or government agencies where you will assist with legal research, document preparation, and administrative tasks. Before starting, you’ll receive training on confidentiality, professionalism, and workplace expectations. The program includes weekly academic assignments focused on legal issues and current events. You must also complete a 750-word essay analyzing a U.S. Supreme Court decision as part of the Terrence Croft Essay Competition.
7. Hall-Jackson & Associates Internships
Location: Hall-Jackson & Associates, Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Year-round
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students
Hall-Jackson & Associates offers legal internships at its law office in the Chicago Loop. As an intern, you’ll contribute to drafting legal documents such as complaints, motions, and discovery requests under attorney supervision. You will also help organize case files by summarizing reports, evidence, and supporting materials. Legal research is a core component, involving statutes, court opinions, and regulatory sources. Participants range from high school through law school, creating a mixed-level learning environment.
8. Centre for Justice Innovation’s Youth Action Institute
Location: Centre for Justice Innovation, NYC
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Year-round program; First session starts September 30
Application Deadline: September 7
Eligibility: New York City residents between the ages of 16-21
The Youth Action Institute is a public policy research fellowship that focuses on youth justice and legal equity in New York City. You’ll receive training in qualitative research methods, anti-oppression frameworks, and the city’s policy landscape before beginning independent research. As a fellow, you’ll identify a policy issue affecting young people and develop a research question grounded in lived experience. The program runs in multiple phases, allowing you to refine your analysis and policy recommendations over time. You’ll also be expected to present findings to community organizations, advocacy groups, and government offices for feedback. Final outputs may include reports, presentations, or public-facing educational materials.
9. CAIR-Chicago Internship
Location: Various locations across Chicago, IL
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Multiple cohorts in a year (varies by cohort)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students
The CAIR-Chicago Internship Program places you in civil rights and legal advocacy work for a minimum of eight weeks. You’ll commit at least ten hours per week to supporting projects related to discrimination, constitutional rights, and public policy. Tasks may include legal research, drafting case summaries, observing client intakes, or assisting with outreach campaigns. The program connects legal processes with grassroots advocacy and media engagement. Internships can fulfill community service requirements or academic credit, depending on your school.
10. New York City Office of the Mayor Internship Program
Location: NYC Office of the Mayor, New York, NY
Stipend: $16.50/hour
Dates: July 6 – August 28
Application Deadline: March 29
Eligibility: High school students (16+) living in New York City (for fall and spring internships); Must have relevant work papers at the time of application
The NYC Mayor’s Office Internship Program assigns you to a city department aligned with your interests for the duration of the internship. As an intern, you will assist with research, data analysis, policy review, event coordination, or community outreach projects. You’ll also attend a bi-weekly Speaker Series at City Hall featuring commissioners, deputy mayors, and senior staff. The program also includes site visits to municipal agencies to show how the city government functions operationally. A group service project is completed in partnership with NYC Service.
11. M-DCPS Honors Academic Year Internship Program
Location: Various professional sites throughout Miami-Dade County, FL
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: August – May (full school year)
Application Deadline: Opens March 21
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors with a minimum 2.5 unweighted GPA
This honors-level internship integrates hands-on legal experience directly into the Miami-Dade school year as a for-credit elective. You’ll work alongside judges, attorneys, and court administrators within the county’s legal system, gaining exposure to how courts operate on a daily basis. Responsibilities may include reviewing case files for accuracy, assisting with official correspondence, and observing courtroom proceedings across different case types. The program introduces you to core concepts such as criminal and civil procedure, judicial ethics, and case management practices.
12. Mikva Summer Fellows Program
Location: Various offices across Chicago, IL
Stipend: $17/hour
Dates: 6 weeks between June and August
Application Deadline: Typically, late March or April
Eligibility: Recently graduated high school seniors (ages 16-22); Must reside in Cook County (City of Chicago) or potentially Lake County, Illinois
The Mikva Summer Fellows Program is a six-week paid internship for recent Chicago high school graduates working in city, county, state, or federal government offices. You’ll work approximately 30 hours per week and earn an hourly wage through funding from the Illinois Department of Human Services Youth Investment Program. As a fellow, you will assist with policy research, administrative tasks, public outreach, and communications projects tied to active government initiatives. Weekly workshops run alongside the placement and focus on civic leadership and workplace readiness. Some fellows also receive training to serve as election judges through partnerships with the Chicago Board of Elections.
13. Stanford’s Pre-College Legal Studies: Critical Thinking for Courtroom Success
Location: Remote
Cost: $3,200; Financial aid is available
Dates: June 15 – 26; July 6 – 17
Application Deadline: March 13
Eligibility: High school students in grades 9-11
Stanford’s Pre-College Legal Studies program is a non-credit course focused on legal reasoning rather than procedural law. As a participant, you’ll explore how attorneys analyze facts, weigh evidence, and construct arguments through structured lessons and case discussions. The course uses debates, negotiations, and role-playing exercises to build analytical skills. You’ll also examine selected international human rights issues within a legal framework. The program culminates in a mock trial where you will serve as an attorney or a witness. Instruction is focused on transferable reasoning and communication skills.
14. World Scholars Academy Law Internship
Location: Remote
Cost: $2,395
Dates: Every Saturday or Sunday for 4 weeks
Application Deadline: Varies by session
Eligibility: High school students (ages 15-18)
The World Scholars Academy Law Internship is a four-week online program centered on legal research and academic writing. You’ll work in a small group to study a specific legal topic such as antitrust law, corporate liability, or environmental regulation. Weekly sessions include literature review, discussion, and writing workshops led by a subject-matter mentor. You’ll also get to co-author a research paper and receive feedback throughout the process. Completed papers may be submitted to the World Scholars Review or other academic journals. The program concludes with a certificate of completion and optional award consideration.
15. Youth for Innocence Summer Internship
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 16 – August 10
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school students
The Youth for Innocence Summer Internship is an eight-week program focused on wrongful conviction review and post-conviction advocacy. As an intern, you will commit at least 20 hours per week organizing case files, summarizing transcripts, and tracking investigative leads. You’ll assist with interviews, evidence review, and documentation related to innocence claims. Guest speakers explain topics such as false confessions, eyewitness misidentification, and post-conviction motions. You may also support outreach through blog writing or social media related to case awareness.
One more option – Horizon Academic Research Program
If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program, 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 – Youth for Innocence