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Internships/Summer Jobs

P = paid; S = stipend; U = unpaid; A=Wes alumni connection*

*A Wes connection means that a Wes alumna/us is affiliated with the organization, or Wes students recommend the program.  This is no guarantee of placement.

Public Interest Law Organizations

ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) (U) – (search on “undergraduate internships”). Summer internships for undergrads.  Recommended by Wes students.
American Bar Association – (search on “undergraduate internships”) - Many interesting opportunities within various practice areas.  Payment opportunities vary.
Association of Legal Aid Attorney’s/UAW 2325 (U) Exposes undergrads to activities such as criminal law, criminal justice policy, political action, union meetings, and collective bargaining.
Ayuda, Inc. (U) NPO providing legal assistance on immigration and domestic violence to the low-income, foreign-born population of Washington DC.
Conservation Law Foundation (U) located in MA, ME, NH, RI, and VT –  regional environmental advocacy organization.
HALT-An Organization of Americans for Legal Reform (U), Wash, DC – full-time summer internships with great organization dedicated to reforming the American legal system.  Part-time fall and spring.
International Bridges for Justice (U) Part-time/full-time; 12 week commitment.  Justice through law.
Lamda Legal Defense and Education Fund, Inc. (U) Internships dealing with youth and HIV in NYC.
Lawyers For Children, New York, NY (U; A) - Legal advocacy and social work services for children in foster care.  Stong connection with Wes; highly recommended by recent grad (comments are in WesSID).
Legal Aid Society of New York (U) Positions for undergraduates in Criminal and Juvenile Rights.
Legal Outreach, Long Island City, NY (U) - Undergrad summer interns help out with administration of this youth program.  Contact organization for details; undergrad interns are NOT mentioned on Web site.
New York State Attorney General's Office, Bureaus throughout New York state (U).  Outstanding opportunity, even if unpaid.  Do real work, visit court, work with attorneys.
Northern California Service League, San Francisco, CA (U) Long and short-term intern and volunteer positions working in the San Fran county jail system providing services to incarcerated individuals.  Wes alumna recommended this.
NYLAG (New York Legal Assistance Group) (U) - Great opportunity to work with a supervising attorney.
Orleans Public Defenders, New Orleans, LA (U; A) - Fantastic experience, but unpaid!  Recommended by an alumna who went to law school after this experience.
Public Defender Service,Washington, DC (U; A) - The Criminal Law Internship Program is outstanding. Stipend may be possible.  Recommended by alumni.
U.S. Dept of Justice Honors Paralegal Intern Program *, Washington, DC (P) - Two-year, full-time program.  * NOTE: the link shows a job posting from one of  DoJ's divisions.  Other divisions offer this program as well.  Look up each division for specific details of their honors program.
Vera Institute of Justice, New York and Washington, DC (U) - Vera runs an annual summer internship program for undergraduate, graduate, and law school students. Interns typically work full time; part-time positions may be available.

Private Practice/Law Firms

WilmerHale (P; A), Boston, MA - Great summer program in top firm for rising juniors and seniors interested in law.

Amherst's List of Internships & Fellowships -- Programs for students interested in law.

Internship Databases

Also search via the Jobs & Internship tab on the CRC homepage!

MyCRC – Always start with the CRC’s database!
LACN - The Liberal Arts Career Network is a consortium of schools that pool their internship and full-time job announcements.  For access, click on LACN > Students/Alumni > log in with your Username (Wes email address) and Password (Wes ID).
Internship Series - Full, current information on over 2,800 organizations offering internships and summer jobs for students.  Access via your portfolio.  Find Beyond Campus, then click Online Resources & Passwords.  See Internship Series for the Username and Password, then click on it, and click “The Internship Series on line” on the left side bar.
Idealist – Search for internships relating to legal rights or other legal issues.
InternHere.com – Internships in CT and western MA.
InternJobs.com – National and global job listings.
Jerseyintern.com – Internships in NJ.

Law Firm Lists and Directories (for direct contact)

A great way to find a summer experience directly related to law is to simply contact law firms in your geographic target area.  This is a tried and true job search method.  Search by location and practice area, and then visit the firm’s Web site.  Even if they do not post internship opportunities, you should call or email them if they interest you. 

In law firms, an “intern” is often a law school student.  When contacting a firm, express your interest in an “internship, OR SUMMER JOB”, to avoid being ruled out simply because the firm has no internship program for undergraduates.

If you need advice on how to approach an employer for a job, visit the CRC during drop in hours.

American Bar Association – Under “Public Resources,” you can research law firms by geographic location and area of practice.
Am Law 100 - The top 100 American firms by gross revenue (2009).
Am Law 200 - The second 100 top firms by gross revenue (2010).
Career Search – Use Career Search to find both law firms and nonprofit organizations that relate to your interests.  Your portfolio > Career Resource Center > On-line Resources/Passwords > Career Search > New Users.  No charge to set up an account.
Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory -- Directory of law firms, searchable by area of practice and geographic location.
NALP (National Association for Law Placement) Directory of Legal Employers