Legal Intern Jobs in Pennsylvania
Legal Intern jobs in Pennsylvania are concentrated in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, with additional openings in Harrisburg, where law firms, corporate legal departments, and government agencies maintain active intern programs across corporate, public interest, and litigation practice areas. Employers with a consistent presence in Pennsylvania include Morgan Lewis, Reed Smith, and the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. Demand is strongest in regulatory compliance, commercial litigation, and public sector law. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Make a difference! Become a Defender!
The Defender Association of Philadelphia offers law students a rich and exciting summer internship program from the end of May through the end of July. The program is designed for law students who completed their first year of school and have a strong interest in indigent criminal defense litigation. This experience offers a broad exposure to the practical applications of criminal defense. Additionally, law students can work with some of the best trial lawyers in the country.
The program includes one week of intensive in-house training on law, procedure and Defender practice. Rotating assignments include exposure to representing clients in the preliminary arraignment, miscellaneous criminal motions, pre-trial probation, and juvenile courts. Interns also have extensive client contact through phone, in-office and prison interviews, learning firsthand how to analyze a client’s legal problems.
Additionally, interns will review forensic data-including video, voice and body-camera footage and draft legal memoranda assessing the weight of the information reviewed. Interns may participate in a legal research and writing program and work in our civil/criminal mental health unit. We ask those selected to seek outside funding and we can be a work study site.
Who is the Defender Association?
The Defender Association of Philadelphia is more than just a law firm. We’re the community’s lawyers. The Defender team – more than 500 attorneys, social workers, investigators, administrators, and other staff – make sure that everyone, regardless of income, has access to high-quality defense when facing criminal charges. Our mission-driven, client-centered model focuses on outcomes that support a system that is fundamentally fair and creates safer, stronger communities. Our unique model and approach give our staff the skills to support that they need to get the best outcomes for our clients. Many former Defenders go on in their careers to serve as judges, state and federal officials, and successful private practitioners. Come join our team! Follow us @PhilllyDefenders (Twitter, Instagram & TikTok) and on LinkedIn.
To Apply: Please submit a cover letter addressing interest and experience in indigent criminal defense and resume.
The Defender Association provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, The Defender Association complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
Make a difference! Become a Defender!
The Defender Association of Philadelphia offers law students a rich and exciting summer internship program from the end of May through the end of July. The program is designed for law students who completed their first year of school and have a strong interest in indigent criminal defense litigation. This experience offers a broad exposure to the practical applications of criminal defense. Additionally, law students can work with some of the best trial lawyers in the country.
The program includes one week of intensive in-house training on law, procedure and Defender practice. Rotating assignments include exposure to representing clients in the preliminary arraignment, miscellaneous criminal motions, pre-trial probation, and juvenile courts. Interns also have extensive client contact through phone, in-office and prison interviews, learning firsthand how to analyze a client’s legal problems.
Additionally, interns will review forensic data-including video, voice and body-camera footage and draft legal memoranda assessing the weight of the information reviewed. Interns may participate in a legal research and writing program and work in our civil/criminal mental health unit. We ask those selected to seek outside funding and we can be a work study site.
Who is the Defender Association?
The Defender Association of Philadelphia is more than just a law firm. We’re the community’s lawyers. The Defender team – more than 500 attorneys, social workers, investigators, administrators, and other staff – make sure that everyone, regardless of income, has access to high-quality defense when facing criminal charges. Our mission-driven, client-centered model focuses on outcomes that support a system that is fundamentally fair and creates safer, stronger communities. Our unique model and approach give our staff the skills to support that they need to get the best outcomes for our clients. Many former Defenders go on in their careers to serve as judges, state and federal officials, and successful private practitioners. Come join our team! Follow us @PhilllyDefenders (Twitter, Instagram & TikTok) and on LinkedIn.
To Apply: Please submit a cover letter addressing interest and experience in indigent criminal defense and resume.
The Defender Association provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, The Defender Association complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.
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Find Legal Intern JobsLegal Intern Jobs by City in Pennsylvania
Where Pennsylvania roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Legal Intern Job Market in Pennsylvania
A snapshot from current Pennsylvania openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Pennsylvania Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in legal intern jobs across Pennsylvania.
- Current enrollment in an ABA-accredited law school in good standing
- Completion of at least one year of law school coursework preferred
- Demonstrated legal research and writing skills through coursework or clinic experience
- Familiarity with Westlaw, LexisNexis, or other legal research platforms
- Ability to work in-person at a Pennsylvania office or courthouse as required
- Strong analytical writing sample submitted with application materials
Legal Intern Jobs in Pennsylvania: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a legal intern in Pennsylvania?
The standard path is enrollment in an ABA-accredited law school, as nearly all Pennsylvania employers require applicants to be current law students in good standing. Pennsylvania does not require a separate state registration for law student internships, but students practicing under attorney supervision in clinical settings must comply with Pennsylvania Rule of Professional Conduct guidelines governing law student practice. Completing a first-year legal writing course and clinic hours significantly strengthens your candidacy.
Which companies hire legal interns in Pennsylvania?
Employers hiring legal interns in Pennsylvania right now include Travelers, Berks County PA, and Howmet Aerospace, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Pennsylvania's concentration of large law firms in Philadelphia and corporate headquarters in the Pittsburgh corridor makes it one of the more active states for structured summer associate and semester internship programs.
Which Pennsylvania cities have the most legal intern jobs?
Pittsburgh, Reading, and Philadelphia account for the largest share of legal intern openings in Pennsylvania. Philadelphia dominates due to its density of Am Law 100 firms, federal courts, and corporate headquarters, while Pittsburgh draws intern demand from energy, technology, and healthcare legal departments, and Harrisburg offers consistent openings tied to state government agencies, the Pennsylvania General Assembly, and regulatory bodies.
Are there remote legal intern jobs in Pennsylvania?
Yes, but they are less common than in purely desk-based fields, since legal interns are often expected to attend hearings, court filings, and in-person client meetings. About 75% of legal intern openings tied to Pennsylvania are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with remote arrangements most likely for research-heavy roles at insurance companies, compliance departments, or legal tech firms rather than traditional law firm positions.
How can I get hired as a legal intern in Pennsylvania with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying through your law school's career services office, which maintains direct recruiting relationships with Pennsylvania firms and agencies. The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General and Philadelphia District Attorney's Office run structured programs for first-year students with no prior legal work history. Clinic participation at Temple Beasley, Penn Carey Law, or Pitt Law also substitutes for private sector experience and is recognized by Pennsylvania employers as equivalent practical training.
Where can I find and apply to legal intern jobs in Pennsylvania?
You can find and apply to legal intern jobs in Pennsylvania on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, and surrounding areas. Search the available roles, identify the ones that match your practice area interests and availability, and apply directly to each employer through the listing.
See All 13 Legal Intern Jobs in Pennsylvania
Find roles in Pennsylvania that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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