Legal Intern Jobs in New York
Legal Intern jobs in New York draw from one of the most active legal markets in the world, concentrated in corporate law, public interest, and regulatory practice at firms, agencies, and institutions across the state. Most hiring is in New York City, Albany, and Buffalo, where employers like Skadden Arps, the New York Attorney General's Office, and Cravath Swaine and Moore have long maintained robust internship pipelines. The most in-demand specialties are corporate transactional work, criminal law, and civil rights litigation. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Legal Intern JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 14+ Legal Intern jobs
Vaughan McLean seeks 2L and 3L law students interested in New York legal practice and litigation to join our New York Workers’ Compensation Practice Group.
These positions are available in our New York office locations in Albany, Syracuse, Buffalo, New York City, and Long Island.
Prior internship or law clerk experience with New York Workers’ Compensation claims or civil litigation is preferred but not required. The position requires excellent writing and communication skills, sound judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to excel in a fast-paced litigation practice.
Student Interns in this practice have a unique opportunity to develop key litigation and trial skills and gain meaningful exposure to the practice of law. The Partners in the New York Workers’ Compensation Practice Group are fully committed to providing each Student Intern with training, professional development, team integration, and continued mentorship.
Compensation: $22.00–$25.00 per hour, depending on qualifications and experience.
Responsibilities
- Assist attorneys with managing case files, deadlines, and client communications, including:
- Conduct legal research and analysis on a wide range of New York Workers’ Compensation matters.
- Prepare drafts of legal documents, including briefs, pleadings, motions, and legal summaries, evaluations, and analyses.
- Observe and support attorneys representing clients in court and administrative proceedings, depositions of expert witnesses, and negotiations.
- Collaborate with senior attorneys in developing case strategies and providing legal support.
- Stay current on changes in laws and regulations relevant to the practice area.
- Qualifications
- Current enrollment in a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree program at an accredited law school.
- Interest in New York legal practice and litigation.
- Proficiency with legal research tools, such as Westlaw.
- Strong writing skills.
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple tasks efficiently in a fast-paced environment.
See All 14 Legal Intern Jobs in New York
Find roles in New York that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Legal Intern JobsLegal Intern Jobs by City in New York
Where New York roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Legal Intern Job Market in New York
A snapshot from current New York openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Banking & Financial Services
What New York Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in legal intern jobs across New York.
- Current enrollment in an ABA-accredited law school in good academic standing
- Completion of at least one year of law school coursework preferred by most employers
- Demonstrated legal research and writing ability through coursework, moot court, or law review
- Familiarity with Westlaw or LexisNexis legal research platforms
- Authorization to receive academic credit for internship, as required by many unpaid placements
- Strong written communication skills with experience drafting memos, briefs, or motions
Legal Intern Jobs in New York: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a legal intern in New York?
You become a legal intern in New York by enrolling in an ABA-accredited law school and actively pursuing placements during your first or second year. New York does not require a license to work as a law student intern, but the New York State Court of Appeals Student Practice Rules allow qualified law students to appear in court under attorney supervision. Most students secure internships through their law school's career services office, public interest organizations, or direct applications to law firms and government agencies.
Which companies hire legal interns in New York?
Employers hiring legal interns in New York right now include Bank of China, SCOR, and CAMBA, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. New York's dense concentration of BigLaw firms, government agencies, and nonprofit legal organizations means internship opportunities exist at every level, from the Manhattan District Attorney's Office to the largest international corporate firms.
Which New York cities have the most legal intern jobs?
New York, Brooklyn, and Melville have the most legal intern openings in New York. New York City dominates the market because it is home to the largest concentration of BigLaw firms, federal and state courts, and corporate legal departments in the country, while Albany draws significant demand from state government agencies and regulatory bodies, and Buffalo anchors opportunities in regional litigation and public defense work.
Are there remote legal intern jobs in New York?
Yes, but they are limited. Legal intern work is largely office-based because it involves court appearances, client meetings, and supervised document review that require physical presence. About 57% of legal intern openings tied to New York are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those tend to be concentrated in legal research, document review, and policy-focused roles at nonprofits or government agencies rather than litigation or transactional work at law firms.
How can I get hired as a legal intern in New York with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying through your law school's pro bono and externship programs, which connect first-year students with placements before they have a formal legal work history. New York institutions like the Legal Aid Society, Brooklyn Defender Services, and the New York Legal Assistance Group run structured programs specifically designed for law students without prior experience. A strong writing sample from a legal research course or moot court competition is the credential that most consistently opens doors when experience is thin.
Where can I find and apply to legal intern jobs in New York?
You can find and apply to legal intern jobs in New York on Migrate Mate, which lists current New York openings updated on an ongoing basis. Search the available roles, find the ones that match your law school standing and practice interest, and apply directly to each employer through the listing.
See All 14 Legal Intern Jobs in New York
Find roles in New York that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Legal Intern Jobs