Summer Law Clerk Internships
Summer law clerk internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience drafting legal documents and conducting research under working attorneys, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings are concentrated across {{top_industries_phrase}}, with Humane Society Legislative Fund, PHINIA, and BRIDGES TRUST among the employers posting roles now.
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Description
- Exceptional legal experience working in a professional law office
- Demonstration of one’s interest in and commitment to public service
- Engagement with experienced, professional colleagues and legal mentors
- Expansive breadth and diversity of work
- Opportunity to attend a wide array of effective, interesting legal trainings (e.g., CLEs) and events
- Work that makes a tangible and positive difference to the people of Washington
- Competitive salary – If your law school allows being paid while receiving academic credit - Law clerks who have completed their first year of law school will receive $23/hour. Law clerks who have completed their second year of law school will receive $24/hour
- Law clerk positions assigned to our Seattle office location receive an additional 5% King County Location Pay
- Vacation Leave, Sick Leave, Military and Civil Leave and Paid Holidays
- Health and wellness program
- Access to attend training and career development program that is recognized for its excellence and efficacy by AGOs nationwide
- Enrollment in the Public Employees’ Retirement System, receiving one service credit per each month worked of 90 hours or more.
- Due to the limited duration of these positions (if less than six months), they are not eligible for medical and dental benefits.
Duties
- Researching and writing memoranda, pleadings, and correspondence;
- Assistant in preparation for litigation, i.e., depositions, witness interviews, and discovery;
- Drafting client advice memos and attending meetings where that advice is then presented to the client; and
- Opportunity to observe attorneys in court, particularly for those cases for which the law clerk provided assistance. Rule 9 law clerks may be allowed to present in court.
Qualifications
Supplemental Information
- Letter of Interest
- Resume
- Law School Transcript (Official/Unofficial)
- Letter of Recommendation if a 2L, 3L or LL.M.
- Note about the letter of recommendation: If your recommender would prefer to send the letter directly to the AGO, they can send it to the Talent Acquisition Team at HREmployment@atg.wa.gov. If you already have your current letter of recommendation, feel free to upload it with your application. If you receive the letter of recommendation after you’ve submitted your application, you can send it to the Talent Acquisition Team via the email address above and we will upload it to your application.
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The AGO is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the recruitment team at HREmployment@atg.wa.gov. Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at 1-800-676-3777 or www.washingtonrelay.com.
Description
- Exceptional legal experience working in a professional law office
- Demonstration of one’s interest in and commitment to public service
- Engagement with experienced, professional colleagues and legal mentors
- Expansive breadth and diversity of work
- Opportunity to attend a wide array of effective, interesting legal trainings (e.g., CLEs) and events
- Work that makes a tangible and positive difference to the people of Washington
- Competitive salary – If your law school allows being paid while receiving academic credit - Law clerks who have completed their first year of law school will receive $23/hour. Law clerks who have completed their second year of law school will receive $24/hour
- Law clerk positions assigned to our Seattle office location receive an additional 5% King County Location Pay
- Vacation Leave, Sick Leave, Military and Civil Leave and Paid Holidays
- Health and wellness program
- Access to attend training and career development program that is recognized for its excellence and efficacy by AGOs nationwide
- Enrollment in the Public Employees’ Retirement System, receiving one service credit per each month worked of 90 hours or more.
- Due to the limited duration of these positions (if less than six months), they are not eligible for medical and dental benefits.
Duties
- Researching and writing memoranda, pleadings, and correspondence;
- Assistant in preparation for litigation, i.e., depositions, witness interviews, and discovery;
- Drafting client advice memos and attending meetings where that advice is then presented to the client; and
- Opportunity to observe attorneys in court, particularly for those cases for which the law clerk provided assistance. Rule 9 law clerks may be allowed to present in court.
Qualifications
Supplemental Information
- Letter of Interest
- Resume
- Law School Transcript (Official/Unofficial)
- Letter of Recommendation if a 2L, 3L or LL.M.
- Note about the letter of recommendation: If your recommender would prefer to send the letter directly to the AGO, they can send it to the Talent Acquisition Team at HREmployment@atg.wa.gov. If you already have your current letter of recommendation, feel free to upload it with your application. If you receive the letter of recommendation after you’ve submitted your application, you can send it to the Talent Acquisition Team via the email address above and we will upload it to your application.
******************
The AGO is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, race, creed, color, national origin, honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. Persons requiring reasonable accommodation in the application process or requiring information in an alternative format may contact the recruitment team at HREmployment@atg.wa.gov. Those with a hearing impairment in need of accommodation are encouraged to contact the Washington Relay Service at 1-800-676-3777 or www.washingtonrelay.com.
Summer Law Clerk Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Tips for Your Summer Law Clerk Internship Search
Apply months before the summer start date
Large law firms and corporate legal departments recruit summer law clerk interns the preceding fall, often before the spring semester begins. Smaller employers and government agencies post closer to start dates. Check listings in September and October for structured programs, and return regularly for roles that open later in the cycle.
Build a writing sample before you apply
Hiring teams for summer law clerk internships expect limited work history, so a polished legal research memo, case brief, or law review draft gives recruiters something concrete to assess your skills. Document the issue you analyzed, the sources you used, and the conclusion you reached. A strong sample often outweighs a longer resume at this stage.
Work your campus network and apply directly at the same time
Campus career fairs surface structured programs tied to your law school, and professors and career center staff often know which employers recruit from your program before roles post publicly. Applying directly to firms and organizations running smaller cohorts alongside campus activity widens the pool you reach, especially for employers who don't attend fairs.
Practice your interview format out loud before you apply
Summer law clerk intern screens typically include a timed written exercise, a research problem, or a hypothetical legal scenario. Practice your reasoning out loud, not just in your head, because interviewers weigh how you work through a problem as much as your final answer. Rehearse explaining your analysis clearly under a time constraint.
Target structured summer associate and law clerk programs early
Many large law firms and corporate legal departments run formal summer associate or law clerk cohort programs designed to train candidates new to legal practice. These programs recruit early and fill fast. Identify the ones that match your practice area interest, confirm their application windows, and submit in the first wave rather than waiting for a reminder.
Set your work-type filter before you start
On-site roles are 50% of the summer law clerk internships listed here. Decide what you can realistically commit to before you start applying, then filter by location and work type so you're not sorting through postings you can't take. On Migrate Mate, the work-type filter applies instantly and keeps your results focused.
Summer Law Clerk Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a summer law clerk internship?
Lead with coursework and projects rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. For summer law clerk candidates, a writing sample demonstrating legal research or analysis gives recruiters something concrete to assess. Submit direct applications to firms and organizations you want to work for, and attend campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can a summer law clerk internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. For summer law clerk interns, what actually drives a return offer is performance on real assignments, the team's headcount going into the following year, and how early the employer makes those decisions. Position yourself well by treating every project seriously, without counting on an offer before it's made.
When should I apply for summer law clerk internships?
Earlier than most expect. Large law firms and legal departments recruit summer law clerk interns the preceding fall, often before you finish your first semester of law school. Smaller companies and government agencies post closer to their start dates, so openings appear year-round. Check listings regularly and apply as soon as roles go live for the employers you want.
Are summer law clerk internships paid?
Most professional summer law clerk internships in the United States are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location. Where an employer discloses pay, you'll see it on the listing. Some public interest and nonprofit roles may be unpaid or stipend-based, so read each posting carefully before you apply.
What should a summer law clerk internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three documented projects that show legal research, writing, or analysis, naming the tools and methods you used and linking to published work where you can. Add relevant coursework, clinical experience, or moot court participation. Keep the resume to one page and place your strongest legal writing sample reference near the top.
Are there remote summer law clerk internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 50% of the summer law clerk internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill fast because they draw applicants from across the country, so apply early and filter by work type to see them before they close.
Can international students get summer law clerk 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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