Legal Intern Jobs in Virginia
Legal Intern jobs in Virginia concentrate in government law, corporate compliance, and litigation support, with active hiring across the Northern Virginia corridor, Richmond, and the Hampton Roads region. Major employers with a consistent Virginia presence include Booz Allen Hamilton, Leidos, and the U.S. Department of Justice, alongside the state's large network of state agency legal offices and federal courts. The most in-demand specialties are regulatory and administrative law, government contracting, and civil litigation. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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We fight back. Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF) is the nation’s first and most successful public interest law firm dedicated to vindicating individual liberty. PLF has an unmatched record in the US Supreme Court, with 18 victories out of 21 cases heard by the Court. We focus on four core areas: Environment & Natural Resources, Equality & Opportunity, Property Rights, and Separation of Powers.
Although our unofficial slogan is “Suing the government since 1973” we do a lot more than that. PLF's Federal Legal Policy team helps develop and execute strategies to secure federal legislative and executive reforms to expand individual liberty and reform the unconstitutional regulatory agencies.
This is where you come in. You’re an inquisitive, creative, and self-motivated college junior, senior, grad or law student, or recent graduate who knows the principles of liberty and seeks to advance them. You have strong written and oral communication skills and enjoy problem solving.
This internship provides an opportunity for a wide variety of experiences, including:
- Reading and summarizing important legislation and executive and agency action.
- Developing briefing materials for use in meetings with executive and legislative branch officials.
- Attending coalition events, Hill meetings, and other related advocacy efforts.
- Writing blog posts and opinion pieces relating to PLF core federal work.
This position requires in-person presence in PLF’s Arlington (Clarendon) office.
How to Apply
If you think you might be a good fit, submit in ONE PDF:- A résumé that includes relevant experience in the liberty movement and professional skills.
- A cover letter explaining why PLF is the place for you, why you want to fight for liberty, and what distinguishes you from typical applicants.
Applicants selected for an interview may be asked to provide:
- A writing sample.
- A semester schedule (if taking classes during the internship period).
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
We fight back. Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF) is the nation’s first and most successful public interest law firm dedicated to vindicating individual liberty. PLF has an unmatched record in the US Supreme Court, with 18 victories out of 21 cases heard by the Court. We focus on four core areas: Environment & Natural Resources, Equality & Opportunity, Property Rights, and Separation of Powers.
Although our unofficial slogan is “Suing the government since 1973” we do a lot more than that. PLF's Federal Legal Policy team helps develop and execute strategies to secure federal legislative and executive reforms to expand individual liberty and reform the unconstitutional regulatory agencies.
This is where you come in. You’re an inquisitive, creative, and self-motivated college junior, senior, grad or law student, or recent graduate who knows the principles of liberty and seeks to advance them. You have strong written and oral communication skills and enjoy problem solving.
This internship provides an opportunity for a wide variety of experiences, including:
- Reading and summarizing important legislation and executive and agency action.
- Developing briefing materials for use in meetings with executive and legislative branch officials.
- Attending coalition events, Hill meetings, and other related advocacy efforts.
- Writing blog posts and opinion pieces relating to PLF core federal work.
This position requires in-person presence in PLF’s Arlington (Clarendon) office.
How to Apply
If you think you might be a good fit, submit in ONE PDF:- A résumé that includes relevant experience in the liberty movement and professional skills.
- A cover letter explaining why PLF is the place for you, why you want to fight for liberty, and what distinguishes you from typical applicants.
Applicants selected for an interview may be asked to provide:
- A writing sample.
- A semester schedule (if taking classes during the internship period).
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
See All 9 Legal Intern Jobs in Virginia
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Find Legal Intern JobsLegal Intern Jobs by City in Virginia
Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Legal Intern Job Market in Virginia
A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in legal intern jobs across Virginia.
- Current enrollment in an ABA-accredited law school in good academic standing
- Completion of at least one year of law school coursework
- Familiarity with Virginia court rules and legal research databases such as Westlaw or LexisNexis
- Strong legal writing and document drafting skills demonstrated through writing samples
- Experience with case management, filing procedures, or client intake in a legal setting
- Ability to handle confidential materials and maintain professional ethical standards
Legal Intern Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a legal intern in Virginia?
Becoming a legal intern in Virginia requires current enrollment in an ABA-accredited law school, as most positions are tied to law school academic credit programs. Virginia law students may also work under attorney supervision through clinical placements coordinated with schools like the University of Virginia School of Law, George Mason University Antonin Scalia Law School, or Washington and Lee University. Strong research and writing samples are the primary differentiators in the Virginia hiring process.
Which companies hire legal interns in Virginia?
Employers hiring legal interns in Virginia right now include STAND TOGETHER, HII, and Deltek, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Virginia's concentration of federal agencies, defense contractors, and state government bodies means a significant share of legal intern roles involve government contracting, regulatory compliance, or public sector litigation.
Which Virginia cities have the most legal intern jobs?
Arlington, Herndon, and Norfolk consistently have the most legal intern openings in Virginia. Northern Virginia and the Washington D.C. metro area drive the bulk of demand through federal agencies, defense and intelligence contractors, and large law firms, while Richmond anchors state government legal work and corporate headquarters, and Hampton Roads adds military and maritime law opportunities through its large naval installation base.
Are there remote legal intern jobs in Virginia?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely desk-based fields, since legal intern work frequently requires in-person court appearances, document review, and client interaction. About 67% of legal intern openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting a market where flexibility exists but is selective. Research-heavy and compliance-focused intern roles are most likely to offer remote or hybrid arrangements.
How can I get hired as a legal intern in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path for candidates with no prior legal experience is applying through law school clinical programs, which place first and second-year students directly with Virginia state agencies, public defenders, or legal aid organizations like the Legal Aid Justice Center. Virginia's large public sector also offers structured intern cohorts through the Office of the Attorney General and individual state agency counsel offices. A writing sample, even from a law school seminar paper, is the credential that opens most doors.
Where can I find and apply to legal intern jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to legal intern jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings updated regularly. Search for roles that match your law school year, practice area interest, and location, then apply directly to the ones that fit your background.
See All 9 Legal Intern Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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