A legal internship, often referred to as a clerkship, involves a law student working under the supervision of practicing attorneys or judges. These experiential learning opportunities provide practical exposure to legal practice and are an integral part of professional training. Securing these positions is important for translating academic knowledge into marketable skills and establishing a professional network. The process of obtaining these roles is governed by a defined timeline that adheres closely to a student’s academic progression within the three-year Juris Doctor program.
Internships During the First Year (1L)
The first year of law school, known as 1L, presents a unique structure for securing summer employment. Most private law firms and organizations prohibit formal hiring until students have successfully completed their first semester of study. The application window for 1L summer positions generally opens in December and January, shortly after first-semester grades are released.
Students in their 1L year typically seek placements that value developing foundational legal research and writing skills. Many pursue judicial clerkships, working directly with a federal or state judge to assist with legal analysis and opinion drafting. Public interest organizations and government agencies, such as prosecutor or public defender offices, also represent popular destinations for 1L students looking for direct exposure to litigation.
Smaller law firms, which often have less structured hiring timelines than larger organizations, frequently hire 1L students. These opportunities often provide practical experience in niche practice areas, such as family law or real estate. Securing a first-year summer position is often a matter of leveraging the school’s career resources.
The Critical Second-Year Summer (2L)
The summer following the second year of law school, the 2L summer, is the most consequential period for career placement. This summer is the main entry point for positions at large private law firms, commonly referred to as BigLaw, and other major corporate legal departments. Success in securing these positions often dictates the student’s post-graduation employment, as they function as direct feeder programs for entry-level associate roles.
The hiring process for the 2L summer is primarily conducted through the On-Campus Interviewing (OCI) program, a structured recruitment event coordinated by the law school’s career services office. This timeline is significantly accelerated, with applications beginning a full year in advance during the summer preceding the 2L year. Interviews then take place in August or September, just as the student begins their second academic year.
These summer associate positions are almost universally paid, reflecting the firm’s investment in potential future employees. The compensation is often substantial, distinguishing them economically from most other summer legal work. Students who receive an offer at the end of their 2L summer are generally expected to return to the firm as an associate upon graduation, provided they successfully pass the bar examination.
Interning During the Academic Year (Semester Externships)
Many law students pursue semester externships that run concurrently with their academic classes, separate from focused summer employment periods. These positions involve working part-time, typically for 10 to 15 hours per week, allowing students to maintain their full course load.
These opportunities are often structured as “externships for credit,” meaning the student receives elective course credit in exchange for their legal work. Because the focus is on academic training and supervision, these semester placements are frequently unpaid. Students tend to seek out government agencies, non-profit organizations, or judicial chambers for these roles, as those environments are well-suited for mentorship and educational supervision.
Final Year Opportunities and Transition (3L)
The final year of law school, the 3L year, involves a shift in focus from securing initial summer work to finalizing post-graduation employment and specialized training. Students typically have fewer required courses, which frees up time to pursue advanced practical opportunities.
Many 3L students enroll in specialized legal clinics, where they represent real clients under faculty supervision, or participate in capstone externships that provide deeper immersion into a practice area. For those who secured a full-time offer during the 2L summer, the 3L year may involve continuing a part-time relationship with that employer to gain familiarity with the firm’s operations.
Securing the Internship: Preparation and Strategy
Successfully navigating the law school internship timeline requires consistent and proactive preparation. Maintaining a high Grade Point Average is a major factor, particularly for the competitive 2L OCI process, where academic performance is often used as an initial screening metric by large firms. Students should dedicate time to perfecting their legal resume and cover letters, ensuring these documents clearly articulate their academic achievements and prior professional experience.
Networking is another element of the strategy, involving purposeful engagement with the legal community. This includes attending on-campus events hosted by the career services office and participating in informational interviews with attorneys practicing in desired fields. These interactions build professional relationships that can lead to referrals or direct hiring opportunities outside of formal application processes.
The final stage of preparation involves rigorous practice for interviews, which often utilize the Socratic method or behavioral questions to assess a candidate’s analytical and communication abilities. Students should utilize mock interview programs offered by their law school to refine their responses and professional demeanor.