Legal Field

Are you considering a job or internship in the legal field? Explore these online resources to get started.  

Interested in law school?  Check out our Pre-Law Advising resources, which includes a page of law related internship resources. Schedule an appointment to meet with a Career Advisor.

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 Internships & Programs | Gap Year Opportunities | Finding Jobs in the Private Sector | Student Organizations and Departmental Resources | Other Resources | Alumni to Know

Job and Internship Resources

Summer Internships and Programs

This is not an exhaustive list. Visit our Pre-Law Advising page for additional information and resources.

Gap Year Opportunities

Finding Attorney Jobs in the Private Sector

Lawyers work in a variety of environments in the private sector including corporations (which often require more legal experience), large law firms, and small firms with narrow specialties. Below are tips on starting your law career path post law school. Schedule an appointment with a career advisor in Handshake if you have questions.

Large Firms

  • offer a variety of services which means you will practice law involving different issues (corporate law, taxes, real estate)
  • research large firms' summer associate program to be prepared and apply early
  • participate in on-campus interviews and remember to know who you are interviewing with if you have multiple interviews in a week
  • network with alumni and others in the legal profession to learn more about the industry and get interviewing tips

Small Firms

  • can either practice in several areas or have a focus in a certain specialized area
  • less structured hiring cycle, so it is important to research multiple firms to know when they have an opening
  • very important to network; job offers often depend on recommendations from others
  • look into gaining some attorney experience since smaller firms may not have as much training opportunities
  • seek informational interviews to learn more about the industry or specific firm

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
  • Mock Trial - Washington and Lee Mock Trial 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. The organization will participate in competitions under the aegis of the American Mock Trial Association, and in other mock trial competitions as the organization's governing body deems to be in the best interest of the organization.

Other Resources