Internships and Clerkships for Young Lawyers and Law Students

Young lawyers and law students lucky enough to be placed in an ABA internship or clerkship rave about their experience. A few ABA member groups offer these highly sought internship and clerk opportunities.

Other Young Lawyer and Law Student Opportunities

Career-advancing fellowships, internships & clerkships. Professional recognition through awards and writing competitions. Financial assistance like funded travel and scholarships. Each year the ABA offers 100+ opportunities and programs for young lawyers and law students.

Litigation — Judicial Intern Opportunity Program (JIOP)

• Sponsoring ABA Entity: Litigation, Intellectual Property
• Description: The Judicial Intern Opportunity Program (JIOP) is a summer internship program open to all first- and second-year underrepresented law students. Selected students intern for six weeks or more during the summer with a participating state or federal judge. The program offers a $2,000 award to each selected student. Students can also elect law school credit.
• Please see our program information, including a program description and frequently asked questions for more details. The program application and detailed program information will be live on the JIOP website on or after Nov. 6 at ambar.org/jiop. Applications are only accepted electronically through the JIOP website. Contact JIOP Program Director Gail Howard with additional questions.
• Deadline: The deadline for applying is January 12, 2025.
• Who is eligible: Law Students

Commission on Disability Rights — Eli Lilly 1L Summer Internship Program for Law Students with Disabilities

• Sponsoring ABA Entity: Commission on Disability Rights
• Description: The Legal Student Program at Eli Lilly provides an opportunity to work within their Corporate Intellectual Property department. Their student program offers a broad range of responsibilities from across the legal department and may include researching legal issues impacting business strategy, researching global intellectual property law developments, drafting policy and procedures updates for intellectual property department, attending client meetings, interacting with legal professionals across the corporate legal function, and collaborating with internal teams on cross-group projects.
• To apply, submit your cover letter (you may discuss your work in fostering disability rights and inclusion; the importance of disability representation in the legal profession; and your disability experience),  resume, and copy of your transcript to Amy Allbright at [email protected].
• Deadline: February 28, 2025, 5 p.m. EST
• Who is eligible: Law Students

Governmental Affairs Office — GAO Internship Program

• Sponsoring ABA Entity: Governmental Affairs Office
• Description: A resume building program, the GAO provides students or young lawyers the ability to get real-world experience working with Capitol Hill. The Intern will provide research, analysis, and lobbying support including attending House and Senate hearings, government briefings, lobbying meetings, and more.
• Deadline: N/A
• Who is eligible: Law Students, Young Lawyers

Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service — Internship Program

• Sponsoring ABA Entity: Standing Committee on Pro Bono and Public Service and the Center for Pro Bono
• Description: Internships are typically offered each year to assist with the National Celebration of Pro Bono and various projects. Throughout the year, we will offer internships for other research projects. Number of interns each year varies.
• Deadline: N/A
  
• Who is eligible: Law Students, Undergraduates

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