For: Future Leaders in Law
Interested in entering the field of law? Here are some opportunities for youth interested in this career path.
Below you can find student-led organizations to join, summer programs, and online courses on law.
Student-led Organizations to join (some are usually looking for individuals to apply for leadership, membership, or volunteer opportunities)
Lex Societas → a global high school pre-law society | (instagram: @lexsocietas) | leadership opportunities: looking for chapter starters/members | level: global, regional
Legally Teen → student-led organization teaching teens how to navigate the legal system | (instagram: @legally.teen) | leadership opportunities: some team spots open, may vary due to date) | level: online, global
The Youth Law Institute → youth-led organization of students learning about law for students, by students | (instagram: @official.youth_law_institute) | there are volunteer opportunities | level: online, global
Law Journal → a journal for prospective law students | (instagram: @_justiceadvocates) | opportunities: volunteer and writing opportunities | level: online, global
Women for Law → a youth organization emphasizing women who have a passion for law/criminal justice | (instagram: @womenforlaw) | opportunities: there’s an interest form to join | level: online, global
Summer programs: (location, price, times vary)
Association of the Bar of the City of New York - Thurgood Marshall Summer Law Internship Program → opportunity to learn about law through law firms, employers, government organizations, and more | For who? NYC Public High Schoolers | Duration: 6-8 weeks | Paid
Online Courses: (price and duration vary; most are usually free but you might have to pay for the certificate – it depends)
An Introduction to American Law → provided by the University of Pennsylvania on Coursera
Introduction to International Criminal Law → provided by Case Western Reserve University on Coursera
International Law In Action: Investigating and Prosecuting International Crimes → provided by Universiteit Leiden on Coursera
Chemerinsky on Constitutional Law – Individual Rights and Liberties → provided by the University of California, Irvine on Coursera
America’s Unwritten Constitution → provided by Yale University on Coursera
Important things to consider to uplift the underrepresented and marginalized while getting into this field:
According to the American Bar Association, “Nearly all people of color are underrepresented in the legal profession compared with their presence in the U.S. population.”
It was found that systemic racism in the legal profession derives from the racial disparities in this field — leading to disparities even in representation, outcomes, and more. Women also face disparities in law as well as bias, glass-ceilings, and gender-based discrimination. (The American College of Trust and Estate Counsel).
Lawyers and attorneys who are disabled or members of the LGBTQ+ community claim they face overt amounts of discrimination at work (The American Bar Association).
According to the Legal Services Corporation, “Low-income Americans did not receive any or enough legal help for 92% of their civil legal problems. They are forced to “go it alone” without legal representation in disputes where they risk losing their job, their livelihood, their home, or their children, or seek a restraining order against an abuser.”
These disparities strengthen the call for attorneys to speak up for underrepresented groups and communities through law and promote inclusivity, safe-spaces, and justice. It’s also important to address the disparities in legal representation
