Legal Field
Learn about careers in the legal field by exploring the links below. Interested in law school? Enroll in the CPD Canvas Course to join the law industry group and explore our pre-law resources. Stop by CPD or make an appointment on Handshake with the pre-law advisor to get started.
The Office of Career and Professional Development at Washington and Lee University has not vetted any of the internship and volunteer opportunity listings on this page and makes no representations or guarantees regarding any of the listed opportunities. It is the responsibility of students and alumni to do their own due diligence when applying for and accepting any of these opportunities.
Quicklinks: Job and Internship Resources | Summer Programs | Gap Year Opportunities | Resources for Diverse Students | Student Organizations and Departmental Resources
Job and Internship Resources
- Alliance for Justice
- American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)
- Bronx Defenders - Internships, diversity program and full-time opportunities
- California Senate Fellows Program
- Common Cause
- Foreign Affairs Information Technology 2-year Fellowship - U.S. citizenship required
- Idealist.org - Clearinghouse for public interest organizations
- National Association for Law Placement - Law firm positions (paralegal, recruiting, human resources, etc.)
- National Legal Aid and Defender Association
- Southern Center for Human Rights
- US Courts - employment listing
- USAJobs- Search "paralegal"
- Opportunities in D.C.
- American Bar Association Internship/Fellowship Program
- American Enterprise Institute
- American Israel Public Affairs Committee: Diamond Internships
- American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee: Anthony Shadid Internship Program
- Australian Embassy
- Congressional Management Foundation
- DC Public Defender Services
- Office of the Attorney General of DC
- Opportunities in New York
- Office of the New York State Attorney General
- Bronx Defenders
- New York City District Attorney's Office
- US Department of Justice - Summer internships in both civil and criminal divisions
Summer Programs
- Children's Defense Fund
- Office of Inspector General - Rolling application
- U.S. Department of Justice - U.S. Citizenship required
- Legal Services for Prisoners with Children - Three internship terms throughout year with a focus on social justice
- Institute for Humane Studies - "Intern for freedom (not for free)"
- National Conference of State Legislatures - State Legislative Internship Programs
- The Washington Center - Internship program
- U.S. Supreme Court -U.S. citizenship required with openings in various offices
- University pre-law summer programs for undergraduates
- Cornell University
- Duke University
- Florida State University
- Georgetown University
- Harvard and NYU joint Advantage Testing Foundation Summer Program
- Ohio Northern University
- Stanford University
Gap Year Opportunities
- AmeriCorps - Offers a variety of opportunities
- Become a Paralegal - Career advice and resources
- Brookings Institution - Job openings for conducting research
- Gap Year Association - Gap year program list and planning resources
- Law Crossing - Database of legal jobs, salary info, and more
- Legal Aid Justice Center
- National Federation of Paralegal Associations
- Paralegal411
- U.S. Department of State - List of think tanks and job opportunities
- United Way - Volunteer programs (including legal areas) across the country
Resources for Diverse Students
- Bronx Defenders
- LAWbound - Summer preparatory law program; must be of Hispanic heritage
- Sponsors for Educational Opportunity - Variety of internship opportunities (including law); geared towards Black, Hispanic, or Native American students
- University of Houston Prelaw Pipeline Program - Law school preparation for students who are first-generation, low income, or from underrepresented groups
Student Organizations & Departmental Resources
- Executive Committee of the Student Body
- Student Judicial Council
- Hearing Advisor Program - Hearing Advisors support, advise, and assist students accused of an honor or conduct violation in preparing and presenting their cases to the Executive Committee, the Student Judicial Council, and the Harassment and Sexual Misconduct Board.
- Law, Justice & Society Minor
- The Washington and Lee Mock Trial Team provides undergraduate students with the opportunity to develop critical thinking and public speaking skills and an understanding of the American justice system and its practices and procedures through preparing for and engaging in trial simulations in competition with teams from other colleges and universities. Contact the Director of Student Activities to learn more.