Assistant Counsel Internships
Assistant counsel internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on experience drafting legal documents and supporting active matters, mentorship from working attorneys and compliance professionals, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings are concentrated across {{top_industries_phrase}}, with {{top_employers_phrase}} among the employers posting roles now.
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AARP’s Legal Counsel for the Elderly (LCE) champions the dignity and rights of vulnerable Washington, D.C. seniors 60-plus, providing free legal and social work services to those in need — empowering, defending, protecting, and helping thousands of clients each year in many areas of civil law.
Under the supervision of an experienced and licensed attorney, the LCE intern will be exposed to and participate in various legal functions related to law practice in an elder law setting for low-income older persons. Interns will complete the internship, gaining client interaction skills, subject area knowledge, and supervised experience in individual client representation and systemic advocacy.
Students interested in issues related to landlord-tenant, economic security, healthcare benefits, long-term care services, homeownership preservation, combatting fraud and financial abuse, and identifying solutions to systemic problems should apply. This paid internship will begin in Spring 2027 and may extend for an additional semester.
Responsibilities:
The intern will engage in a variety of functions, typically including but not limited to the following:
- Interviewing current and prospective clients
- Meeting clients in the community (at home or in various facilities)
- Conducting fact-finding investigations
- Drafting correspondence
- Performing legal research and writing
- Preparing discovery requests
- Drafting motions
- Aiding in the preparation of court cases
- Observing the formulation and implementation of legal strategies
- Observing attorneys in court or in administrative proceedings
- Following settlement negotiations
- Documenting in computerized case management database
Qualifications:
- Prospective intern must be currently enrolled in an accredited law school, classified as a rising 2L, 2L, rising 3L, or 3L at the start of the internship; have demonstrated interest in serving the needs of low income 60+ individuals and have a sensitivity to the needs of the elderly
- The ability to speak languages in addition to English is a plus but is not required
AARP will not sponsor an employment visa for this position.
Additional Requirements
- Regular and reliable job attendance
- Effective verbal and written communication skills
- Exhibit respect and understanding of others to maintain professional relationships
- Independent judgement in evaluation options to make sound decisions
- In office/open office environment with the ability to work effectively surrounded by moderate noise
Compensation and Benefits
The hourly rate is $21. Internships are non-exempt positions and are not eligible for employee benefits.
Hybrid Work Environment
AARP observes Mondays and Fridays as remote workdays, except for essential functions. Remote work can only be done within the United States and its territories.
Equal Employment Opportunity
AARP is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. AARP does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, color, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.
AARP’s Legal Counsel for the Elderly (LCE) champions the dignity and rights of vulnerable Washington, D.C. seniors 60-plus, providing free legal and social work services to those in need — empowering, defending, protecting, and helping thousands of clients each year in many areas of civil law.
Under the supervision of an experienced and licensed attorney, the LCE intern will be exposed to and participate in various legal functions related to law practice in an elder law setting for low-income older persons. Interns will complete the internship, gaining client interaction skills, subject area knowledge, and supervised experience in individual client representation and systemic advocacy.
Students interested in issues related to landlord-tenant, economic security, healthcare benefits, long-term care services, homeownership preservation, combatting fraud and financial abuse, and identifying solutions to systemic problems should apply. This paid internship will begin in Spring 2027 and may extend for an additional semester.
Responsibilities:
The intern will engage in a variety of functions, typically including but not limited to the following:
- Interviewing current and prospective clients
- Meeting clients in the community (at home or in various facilities)
- Conducting fact-finding investigations
- Drafting correspondence
- Performing legal research and writing
- Preparing discovery requests
- Drafting motions
- Aiding in the preparation of court cases
- Observing the formulation and implementation of legal strategies
- Observing attorneys in court or in administrative proceedings
- Following settlement negotiations
- Documenting in computerized case management database
Qualifications:
- Prospective intern must be currently enrolled in an accredited law school, classified as a rising 2L, 2L, rising 3L, or 3L at the start of the internship; have demonstrated interest in serving the needs of low income 60+ individuals and have a sensitivity to the needs of the elderly
- The ability to speak languages in addition to English is a plus but is not required
AARP will not sponsor an employment visa for this position.
Additional Requirements
- Regular and reliable job attendance
- Effective verbal and written communication skills
- Exhibit respect and understanding of others to maintain professional relationships
- Independent judgement in evaluation options to make sound decisions
- In office/open office environment with the ability to work effectively surrounded by moderate noise
Compensation and Benefits
The hourly rate is $21. Internships are non-exempt positions and are not eligible for employee benefits.
Hybrid Work Environment
AARP observes Mondays and Fridays as remote workdays, except for essential functions. Remote work can only be done within the United States and its territories.
Equal Employment Opportunity
AARP is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. AARP does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, color, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.
Tips for Your Assistant Counsel Internship Search
Apply months before your target start date
Large law firms and corporate legal departments open summer intern applications the previous fall and close them well before spring. Smaller companies and government offices post closer to start dates, so openings appear throughout the year. Check listings consistently rather than waiting for a single recruiting season.
Build a writing sample before you search
Hiring teams for assistant counsel intern roles want evidence you can analyze and write clearly. A polished memo, contract redline, or case summary gives recruiters something concrete to evaluate. Document the legal issue you addressed, the authority you relied on, and the conclusion you reached, and have the sample ready to attach before you apply.
Work your campus network alongside direct applications
Campus career fairs surface structured intern programs tied directly to your law school or university, and professors with practitioner experience often know which employers recruit from your program before roles post publicly. Apply directly to companies running smaller cohorts at the same time, since those roles rarely appear at on-campus events and fill without fanfare.
Practice the actual assistant counsel interview format out loud
Assistant counsel intern screens typically combine behavioral questions with a legal analysis exercise, a hypothetical, or a short written task. Practice answering out loud, walking through your reasoning step by step, because interviewers weigh how you think through an issue as much as the conclusion you reach. Moot yourself against a career center advisor or a peer before the real screen.
Assistant Counsel Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an assistant counsel internship?
Lead with coursework, clinics, and writing samples rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. A polished legal writing sample, such as a memo, brief, or contract draft, gives recruiters something concrete to assess your analytical and drafting skills. Pair direct applications with campus career fairs, where law firm and in-house recruiters often make faster decisions for students they meet in person.
Can an assistant counsel internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What drives it for assistant counsel interns is consistent performance on real legal work, available headcount on the team, and understanding when return-offer decisions are made so you can ask the right questions. Treat the internship as an extended interview, deliver quality work, and avoid counting on a standing offer before it is extended.
When should I apply for assistant counsel internships?
Earlier than most students expect. Large law firms and corporate legal departments recruit summer interns the preceding fall, often wrapping interviews by November or December. Smaller companies, government agencies, and co-op programs post closer to start dates, so openings appear year-round. Set up alerts and check regularly rather than waiting for a single hiring season.
Are assistant counsel internships paid?
Most professional assistant counsel internships in the United States are paid. Compensation varies by employer size, industry, and location, with large law firms and major corporations typically offering higher stipends than nonprofits or government offices. Where an employer discloses pay, the listing will show it, so check each posting directly for compensation details.
What should an assistant counsel internship resume include?
Lead with projects and legal work product, not employment history. Highlight two or three documented assignments, such as research memos, contract drafts, or case summaries, naming the tools and databases you used and linking to any publicly shareable samples. Add relevant coursework including legal writing, contracts, and administrative law. Keep the whole document to one page.
Can international students get assistant counsel internships?
Yes. F-1 students can intern through CPT while enrolled or through OPT work authorization after finishing a degree, and the employer does not have to file anything for either, so many companies are open to international interns. Confirm your eligibility and timing with your university's international student office before accepting an offer.
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