If you’re considering studying law in college, one of the most useful things you can do in high school is spend time engaging with the field beyond what you encounter in class. Whether lawyers are preparing cases, judges are writing opinions, or policymakers are drafting legislation, research sits at the centre of the process. Law research programs for high school students can give you an early introduction to that world.

Imagine spending your summer investigating questions surrounding voting rights, constitutional protections, international law, criminal justice reform, or emerging technologies. You may spend weeks reviewing court decisions, examining policy documents, and studying how different legal experts approach the same issue. By the end of the experience, you’ll understand the topic at a level far deeper than most high school students.

Why participate in a law research program in high school?

Research forces you to move beyond opinions and focus on evidence. Legal issues are rarely as straightforward as they appear in news headlines or social media discussions. The process of researching a topic teaches you how to identify credible sources, understand different interpretations of the law, and evaluate arguments based on evidence. These are skills that sit at the heart of legal education and practice.

For students interested in law school, public policy, political science, international relations, history, or related disciplines, research can also help clarify academic interests. Spending several weeks focused on a single topic often reveals which issues genuinely capture your attention and which areas you may want to explore further in college.

Finally, a substantial research project can strengthen your academic profile. It demonstrates intellectual curiosity, initiative, and the ability to engage seriously with a complex subject over an extended period of time. Those qualities are often valued by competitive colleges, particularly when they are supported by a concrete piece of work that reflects your interests and effort.

With that, here are 15 law research programs for high school students worth exploring!

For adjacent opportunities, consider the online law program.

15 Law Research Programs for High School Students

1. Yale Young Global Scholars (Politics, Law & Economics Track)

Location: Yale University, New Haven, CT
Cost: $7,000 + Application fee
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: June 21st – July 3rd, July 5-17, July 19-31
Application Deadline: Early: October 15th, Regular: January 7th
Eligibility: Current high school sophomore or junior; aged 16-18 years; international students are eligible

As one of the more prestigious law research programs for high school students, the Politics, Law & Economics (PLE) track at Yale Young Global Scholars explores how legal systems, governments, and economies shape societies around the world. Through seminars, discussions, and case studies, you examine topics such as public policy, human rights, constitutional interpretation, market regulation, governance, and international cooperation.

You engage with university-level readings and interdisciplinary research while analyzing contemporary issues through legal, economic, and political frameworks. The program encourages you to evaluate evidence, develop well-reasoned arguments, and participate in thoughtful debates on complex global challenges. By learning alongside students from around the world, you gain broader perspectives on how law and policy influence different societies.

Why it stands out: It combines law, politics, and economics in a research-driven curriculum that helps you analyze global issues from multiple perspectives.

2. Immerse Education’s Law Summer School

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Location: Cambridge, Oxford, London, Singapore, Sydney, and Toronto
Cost: Varies; summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme
Application Deadline: Multiple cohorts with rolling admissions
Program Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Eligibility: Students worldwide aged 13-18 currently enrolled in middle or high school

The Law Academic Insights Program provides school students with an opportunity to take undergraduate-level classes at universities around the world. Participants work with academics from universities like Oxford, Cambridge, and Harvard in classes of 4-10 students. They attend university-style lectures and 1:1 weekly sessions with their tutor. Through interactive seminars, case studies, and discussions intended to replicate the intellectual rigor of undergraduate law courses, you investigate fundamental topics of law, including contracts, criminal justice, human rights, and constitutional principles.

The program helps you develop the abilities necessary for success in legal and related academic fields by emphasizing analytical reasoning, persuasive communication, and disciplined arguments. By the end of the program, you will complete a personal project and receive written feedback and a certificate of completion. You can find more details about the application here.

Why it stands out: You’ll be taught by top faculty, work on an independent project, and live on campus, giving you a complete experience of future university life.

Location: Louisiana State Bar Association, New Orleans, LA
Cost: None. A stipend of up to $250 is provided (Optional housing and related fees may apply)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 8-26
Application Deadline: May 4th
Eligibility: High school students entering the 11th or 12th grade in the Fall of the program year; international student eligibility not specified

The Suit Up for the Future High School Legal Institute and Intern Program gives you an in-depth introduction to legal research, writing, and the practice of law through a three-week immersive experience. You will study topics such as criminal law and legal research and writing using an abridged law school format, including the Socratic teaching method commonly used in legal education.

A major component of the program involves analyzing a mock legal problem, conducting legal research, preparing a legal memorandum, and developing oral arguments that you present before a panel of judges. Beyond research and writing, you gain firsthand exposure to the profession through job-shadowing experiences with attorneys and judges, where you observe legal proceedings, discuss career paths, and receive mentorship on your legal work. 

Why it stands out: You complete authentic legal research and writing projects while receiving mentorship from practicing lawyers and judges.

4. Summer Law Internship Program (SLIP) by the Atlanta Bar Association

Location: Various law firms and organizations in Atlanta, GA
Cost: Paid opportunity
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 35 spots
Dates: May 27th – July 17th
Application Deadline: March 19th
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors studying in Atlanta high schools

The Summer Law Internship Program (SLIP) by the Atlanta Bar Association is an eight-week paid internship that gives high school students direct exposure to the legal profession through placements with law firms and legal organizations. In addition to workplace experience, you will attend weekly discussions with legal professionals, complete legal studies assignments, and build mentorship relationships within Atlanta’s legal community.

The program also incorporates a research component through the Terrence Croft Essay Competition, where students conduct legal research and write a 750-word analysis of a U.S. Supreme Court case. This combination of internship work and legal research helps students develop skills in case analysis, legal writing, critical thinking, and evidence-based argumentation.

Why it stands out: The required Supreme Court case analysis adds a structured legal research experience to a hands-on law internship.

5. Brooklyn District Attorney’s High School Internship Program

Location: Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: The summer cycle is paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Summer, winter, and spring cohorts
Application Deadline: Varies based on the opportunities
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors residing or attending school in Brooklyn

The Brooklyn District Attorney’s High School Internship Program gives students a firsthand look at the criminal justice system through placements in units such as Homicide, Special Victims, Domestic Violence, Civil Rights, Investigations, and Crime Strategies. As an intern, you may assist with legal research, trial preparation, document organization, investigations, and community outreach efforts while learning how a district attorney’s office operates. You also have the opportunity to observe court proceedings and gain insight into the legal processes behind real cases.

A notable research component of the program is its focus on conducting and analyzing legal research, allowing you to work with legal sources and support ongoing case-related work. Additional professional development sessions on ethics, public speaking, and career readiness help students build a broader understanding of the legal field.

Why it stands out: It offers meaningful exposure to legal research and case preparation while placing students inside specialized units of a major district attorney’s office.

6. King’s College London Pre-University Summer School Law Course

Location: King’s College, London, England
Cost: Application fee of £65 plus the tuition, which varies depending on courses and type
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive admissions
Dates: Session 1: July 6-10, Session 2: July 13-17, Session 3: July 20-24, Session 4: July 27-31 (No Law option on Session 2)
Application Deadline: April 10th
Eligibility: Students aged 16-17 years old; international students welcome

The King’s College London Pre-University Summer School Law Course introduces you to the foundations of English and international law through university-style seminars, lectures, workshops, and experiential learning activities. You explore core legal topics and contemporary legal issues while gaining insight into how law is studied at the degree level. A key component of the programme is independent legal research, where you investigate a specific topic, evaluate sources, and produce a structured, evidence-based response to an assignment brief.

You also work collaboratively with other students to develop and deliver presentations, strengthening your legal analysis, communication, and academic research skills. The programme is further enriched by its location near the Royal Courts of Justice and Inns of Court, giving you exposure to both the academic and professional sides of the legal field.

Why it stands out: The course emphasizes independent legal research and university-level assignments, giving you early experience with the analytical work expected in a law degree.

7. Manhattan District Attorney’s High School Internship Program

Location: Manhattan District Attorney’s Office, Manhattan, NY
Cost: Paid minimum wage
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 29th – July 31st
Application Deadline: Typically Late February
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, or seniors enrolled in a Manhattan high school

The Manhattan District Attorney’s High School Internship Program is a five-week paid internship that provides high school students with an in-depth introduction to the criminal justice system. You will attend workshops and discussions on topics such as criminal justice reform, policing practices, civic engagement, and leadership while gaining experience in a professional office environment. The program also includes a mock trial component, allowing students to take on legal roles, prepare arguments, and better understand courtroom procedures and case preparation.

Through interactions with legal professionals and peers, students gain insight into how legal decisions are made and how the justice system operates in practice. Although the internship does not involve a formal research project, its focus on legal analysis, case discussions, and contemporary justice issues can help students build the background knowledge needed for future law research.

Why it stands out: It combines exposure to criminal justice issues with a hands-on mock trial experience inside a district attorney’s office.

8. IE University’s Pre-Law Summer Track

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Location: IE University campus, Madrid, Spain
Cost: €5,900
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: July 5-17
Application Deadline: Not mentioned
Eligibility: High school students graduating this or next year; under the age of 18 years; international student eligibility not specified

IE University’s Pre-Law Summer Track introduces you to university-level legal study through interactive lectures, debates, and project-based learning. For students comparing law research programs for high school students, it offers a global perspective on how legal systems operate, how major legal traditions differ, and how law responds to issues such as technology, sustainability, and international cooperation.

Through case studies and discussions, you’ll develop skills in legal reasoning, argumentation, and critical analysis while learning how law functions as a tool for solving real-world problems. The program also encourages you to evaluate contemporary legal challenges, including topics such as data privacy, youth protection, and digital regulation. The experience concludes with a final presentation where you propose and defend a legal or policy solution before IE Law School faculty.

Why it stands out: You apply legal concepts to real-world global challenges and present your own policy solutions to law faculty.

Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: $9,300; Financial aid offered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small cohort
Dates: June 15th – July 2nd
Application Deadline: Priority: February 11th; Regular: March 12th
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-11; international student eligibility not specified

In this three-week course at the University of Chicago, you explore the foundations of legal reasoning while earning graded college credit equivalent to a full academic quarter. The program introduces you to how lawyers analyze problems, interpret rules, and construct arguments, using real-world scenarios and legal hypotheticals as case studies. A key component of the course is research-based assignments that require you to investigate legal principles, evaluate evidence, and apply legal reasoning to constitutional law, criminal law, torts, and the court system.

Through simulations, group discussions, and collaborative problem-solving exercises, you develop analytical and argumentation skills while considering how legal institutions shape society. You also gain exposure to the legal profession through guest speakers, legal scholars, civil society leaders, and court visits.

Why it stands out: You complete college-level legal research and analytical assignments while earning graded university credit and learning directly from legal professionals.

10. Future Justice Lawyers of Chicago

Location: Chicago Loop, Chicago, IL
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Small cohort
Dates: Mid-January to mid-October
Application Deadline: November 15th
Eligibility: High school and undergraduate students in the Chicagoland area

The Future Justice Lawyers of Chicago is a year-long program that explores law through the lens of justice, reform, and systemic change. You work closely with a Lawyer Advisor who mentors you through substantial research and writing projects focused on identifying and addressing injustices within the legal system.

A major component of the program is producing a group research report that draws on literature reviews, interviews with subject-matter experts, and evidence-based analysis to examine a legal issue and propose potential reforms. You also complete an individual persuasive essay on a justice-related topic of personal interest, supported by court-watching experiences, writing workshops, and mentorship from legal professionals. 

Why it stands out: You conduct original legal and policy research, including expert interviews and literature reviews, while producing substantial advocacy-focused research and writing projects.

11. UChicago Career Insight: Law and Social Impact

Location: University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Cost: $5,890; Financial aid offered
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 15-25
Application Deadline: Priority: February 11th; Regular: March 12th
Eligibility: Students in grades 9-11; international student eligibility not specified

University of Chicago’s Career Insight: Law and Social Impact explores how legal systems, public policy, and social science research work together to address complex societal challenges. Among law research programs for high school students, this option stands out for connecting legal analysis with policy questions, institutional reform, and evidence-based social impact work.

You also engage directly with professionals through presentations, informational interviews, and career treks to courts, nonprofits, legislatures, and research organizations across Chicago. The experience culminates in a small-group final project and reflective assignments that allow you to synthesize your learning and apply it to real-world issues.

Why it stands out: It combines law, public policy, and social science research while providing direct exposure to professionals working on real-world social impact challenges.

12. City of Chicago Department of Law Pre-Law Volunteer Program

Location: City of Chicago Law Department offices, Chicago, IL
Cost: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Year-round; flexible
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Highly qualified high school students, college students, or graduates; international student eligibility not specified

The Pre-Law Volunteer Program at the City of Chicago Department of Law is an unpaid externship that gives you firsthand exposure to public service law within one of the largest municipal law offices in the United States. Working alongside attorneys, you may assist with legal research, analyze constitutional and procedural issues, help draft legal motions, and observe negotiations, client meetings, and court-related proceedings.

Through these experiences, you gain insight into how government lawyers represent the city in litigation, administrative matters, and policy-related legal work. The program emphasizes analytical thinking, legal writing, and research skills while providing a realistic view of legal practice in the public sector. It is designed for academically strong students who are interested in law, government, and community service.

Why it stands out: You gain direct exposure to municipal law while conducting legal research and assisting attorneys on real public-sector legal matters.

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Location: Various law firms and law-related agencies in Baltimore, MD; educational sessions at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law
Stipend: $15/hour (paid, full-time)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; limited spots through Baltimore City schools
Dates: June 23rd – August 8th (7 weeks)
Application Deadline: Early April
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores or juniors attending a Baltimore City public high school and living in Baltimore City

Law Links places Baltimore public high school students in paid internships at law firms and legal agencies across the city for seven weeks. As one of the more career-focused law research programs for high school students, it combines workplace learning with sessions at the Law & Leadership Institute at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law, where students explore legal concepts, professional development, and career preparation.

Placements are matched to student interests, and interns work full-time during the summer. The program also provides professional clothing through partner organizations to remove financial barriers before students begin working.

Why it stands out: The program combines a paid legal internship with structured law-school seminars while also covering professional clothing costs for students.

14. Innovate Summer Academy- Law and Global Justice

Location: University College London, UK
Cost: Based on the program days and type. Check the exact cost here
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly specified; likely competitive
Dates: July 9-23, July 23rd – August 6th, August 6-20
Application Deadline: June 1st
Eligibility: Students aged 15-18 years; English level: CEFR level B2+; International students can apply

At the Innovate Summer Academy’s Law and Global Justice program, you explore how legal systems operate in an international context while examining real-world issues such as human rights, global governance, and international conflict. Through seminars, debates, mock trials, and case analysis, you develop legal reasoning, advocacy, and critical thinking skills commonly used in legal study and practice. A key part of the program is its research-driven approach, where you investigate complex legal and ethical challenges, evaluate evidence, and apply legal principles to contemporary global issues.

You also learn from legal professionals and human rights advocates through guest lectures and gain firsthand exposure to the legal field through visits to institutions such as the Royal Courts of Justice. Small-group mentoring and collaborative projects help you strengthen your analytical, communication, and research skills while experiencing university-level law study.

Why it stands out: You explore international law and human rights through mock trials, legal research, and direct engagement with legal professionals and institutions.

15. LSE Summer School

Location: London School of Economics and Political Science, London, England
Cost: Varies by course
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Session 1: June 22nd – July 10th; Session 2: July 13th – July 31st; Session 3: August 3-21
Application Deadline: No fixed deadlines
Eligibility: The level 100 courses are open to recent high school graduates with an offer letter to a university; open to UK and international students

The London School of Economics and Political Science Summer School allows you to study university-level courses alongside students from around the world, choosing from subjects such as law, economics, international relations, and business. If you select a law-focused course, you engage with legal concepts, case studies, and contemporary issues through teaching that mirrors undergraduate study at LSE.

The programme places a strong emphasis on legal research, critical analysis, and evidence-based argumentation, requiring you to evaluate sources, interpret legal materials, and apply legal reasoning to complex problems. Assessments and examinations further develop your academic writing and analytical skills while giving you experience with university-level expectations. 

Why it stands out: You develop university-level legal research and analytical skills through assessed coursework at one of the world’s leading social science institutions. 

Prepare for University Through Law and Evidence

Legal research sharpens how you read, question, compare sources, and defend an argument with care before studying law-related subjects.

Joining law research programs for high school students can place you inside case analysis, policy debates, justice issues, and structured academic investigation.

That kind of work gives you stronger material for essays, interviews, personal statements, and future university-level discussion.

Want to make your preparation more strategic? Head to our University Preparation blogs for applications, academic writing, interviews, supercurriculars, and next steps.