Best Jobs for Pre Law Students – Roles That Build Skills, Networks & Law-School Readiness

Quick Answer: The best jobs for pre law students are roles that develop legal research and writing, client communication, document and case management, and professional judgment — for example paralegal/legal assistant, judicial intern, faculty research assistant, legal aid intern, compliance intern, e-discovery or litigation support, and policy/advocacy roles.

For summer, prioritize paid clerkships, judicial externships, legal aid placements, or research assistantships. For part-time work, campus research or library jobs, legal reception, and remote document review offer flexibility while building relevant experience.

If you’re planning law school or a legal career, the job you take now should do two things: teach durable, transferable skills (research, writing, organization, client interaction) and help you decide whether the law is a good fit.

This guide explains the best jobs for pre law students, breaks down what you’ll actually do on the job, shows how each role helps your law-school application and professional growth, and gives practical, step-by-step advice for landing these positions.

Best Jobs for Pre Law Students

Below are high-value job options organized by how directly they map to legal practice. For each role you’ll find: what you do, skills you’ll gain, who it’s best for, how to get it, and resume bullet examples you can copy.

1. Paralegal / Legal Assistant

• What you do: Draft basic client correspondence, organize files, perform primary legal research, prepare exhibits, assist attorneys with discovery and trial prep.
• Skills gained: Legal research and citation, document drafting, case organization, confidentiality and client intake procedures.
• Best for: Sophomores–seniors who want sustained exposure to lawyering workflows.
• How to get it: Apply to small firms, corporate legal departments, or use staffing agencies; emphasize research/writing samples and reliability. Paralegal certification helps but isn’t required for undergraduate roles.
• Resume bullet: Supported a four-attorney litigation team by drafting discovery responses and organizing 2,000+ documents for trial preparation.

2. Judicial Intern / Extern (Court Clerk)

• What you do: Summarize cases, draft bench memos, observe hearings, assist clerks with administrative tasks. Paid roles are rare at lower levels but volunteer internships are common.
• Skills gained: Close case reading, legal writing, familiarity with court procedure, neutrality in client matters.
• Best for: Juniors–seniors aiming for litigation or scholarly credentials.
• How to get it: Contact chambers or clerk offices with a crisp writing sample and letter of interest; apply early (months before summer).
• Resume bullet: Drafted bench memoranda summarizing case law for a district court clerk, improving staff research turnaround by 20%.

3. Faculty Research Assistant (Law, Political Science, or Related Faculty)

• What you do: Conduct literature and case law searches, prepare annotated bibliographies, help draft portions of faculty papers.
• Skills gained: Advanced research, citation methods, academic writing exposure, potential co-authorship.
• Best for: Students pursuing academic credentials or scholarships; helpful across all years.
• How to get it: Email faculty whose work you’ve studied; attach a short writing sample and explain relevant coursework. Apply for funded RA positions via departments.
• Resume bullet: Conducted doctrinal research and assembled source packets for a peer-reviewed article on administrative law.

4. Legal Aid / Public Defender Intern

• What you do: Intake interviews, draft simple pleadings under supervision, assist with client outreach, attend client meetings or hearings.
• Skills gained: Client interviewing, practical ethics, experience with poverty law and courtroom exposure.
• Best for: Students committed to public interest or criminal justice.
• How to get it: Apply to local legal aid societies; volunteer initially if paid posts are limited. Demonstrate empathy and confidentiality.
• Resume bullet: Conducted client intakes and prepared client summaries to assist attorneys representing low-income clients.

5. Compliance / Regulatory Intern

• What you do: Support compliance reviews, update policy checklists, monitor regulatory changes, prepare internal reports.
• Skills gained: Regulatory research, attention to detail, corporate policy literacy.
• Best for: Students interested in corporate law, banking, healthcare, or environmental law.
• How to get it: Target corporate legal departments, financial institutions, or government agencies; network via career fairs and alumni.
• Resume bullet: Assisted compliance team by compiling regulatory change matrix and preparing training briefs for staff.

6. Litigation Support / e-Discovery Assistant

• What you do: Tag and review documents for discovery, use review platforms, produce document sets for counsel.
• Skills gained: Document analysis, legal tech literacy, procedural discipline.
• Best for: Students wanting litigation exposure and legal tech skills.
• How to get it: Apply through legal staffing firms or law firms’ litigation support teams; show carefulness and tech proficiency.
• Resume bullet: Reviewed and coded 5,000+ documents using an e-discovery platform to support litigation discovery phases.

7. Legislative / Policy Intern

• What you do: Track bills, draft memos and policy briefs, attend hearings, and support constituent outreach.
• Skills gained: Statutory analysis, policy writing, stakeholder communication.
• Best for: Students leaning toward public law, administrative law, or policy work.
• How to get it: Apply to local/state legislators, legislative committees, or policy NGOs; leverage campus political groups for leads.
• Resume bullet: Tracked 30+ bills and prepared concise legislative summaries for a state representative’s policy team.

8. Nonprofit / Advocacy Organizer

• What you do: Draft advocacy materials, organize community outreach, support strategic campaigns.
• Skills gained: Persuasive writing, grassroots organizing, public education.
• Best for: Students interested in human rights, environmental law, or public interest practice.
• How to get it: Volunteer or intern at NGOs; use civics clubs and professors as referral sources.
• Resume bullet: Coordinated community legal-education events reaching 500+ residents on tenant rights.

9. Court Runner / Filing Assistant

• What you do: File documents with courts, serve papers, deliver exhibits—basic but vital tasks.
• Skills gained: Court procedure familiarity, punctuality, logistics.
• Best for: Freshmen or those with limited availability seeking quick exposure.
• How to get it: Network with firms for part-time or per-run work; local courthouses sometimes post openings.
• Resume bullet: Managed timely court filings and document deliveries across multiple county courts.

10. Legal Tech / Start-Up Intern

• What you do: Help product teams test legal software, write user documentation, or assist with data privacy tasks.
• Skills gained: Tech literacy, product communication, understanding of practical lawyering tools.
• Best for: Students interested in the intersection of law and technology.
• How to get it: Target legal-tech start-ups, incubators, or campus entrepreneurship centers.
• Resume bullet: Supported product testing for contract-review software and drafted user guides for beta testers.

11. Court Interpreter / Translator (Bilingual students)

• What you do: Translate documents and interpret in client intake or hearings; often requires certification.
• Skills gained: Legal vocabulary in two languages, cultural competency, client trust.
• Best for: Bilingual students with strong legal language skills and certifications where required.
• How to get it: Apply to courts or legal clinics; pursue credentialing when required.
• Resume bullet: Provided translation and interpretation services for legal clinic intake sessions in Spanish and English.

12. Library / Research Services Assistant (Law Library)

• What you do: Assist patrons, manage reserves, and gain exposure to Westlaw/Lexis and other legal research tools.
• Skills gained: Research database navigation, citation practice, organization.
• Best for: Students at universities with law or legal studies schools.
• How to get it: Apply through the university library; highlight coursework and interest in research.
• Resume bullet: Supported law students and faculty in research queries, improving turnaround times for reference requests.

How employers evaluate pre-law candidates (what matters most)

• Writing sample quality: clear structure, concise reasoning, proper citation.
• Reliability & professionalism: punctuality, confidentiality, and polish.
• Relevant coursework and extracurriculars: moot court, debate, pre-law society, volunteer clinics.
• Letters of recommendation: faculty or internship supervisors who can speak to writing and ethical maturity.

A quick resume formula for pre-law jobs

• One-line objective, 3–5 resume bullets showing measurable contributions, list of research or writing projects, and 1–2 references (professors or supervisors).

Best Summer Jobs For Pre Law Students

Summer is a strategic window to take concentrated, high-value roles. Prioritize placements that offer mentorship, intensive writing, or courtroom exposure.

Top summer options

1. Summer Law Clerk / Paralegal at a Law Firm

• Why it matters: Intensive exposure to firm workflows, often includes substantive drafting and client file prep.
• How to secure: Apply early (winter/spring) via campus recruiting or firm websites; alumni referrals are powerful.
• Make it count: Keep a learning journal and request feedback—turn tasks into short learning memos.

2. Judicial Summer Externship / Clerkship

• Why it matters: Gold standard for litigation insight; judges and clerks see lawyering up close.
• How to secure: Courts often post deadlines well in advance; prepare a polished writing sample and cover letter.
• Make it count: Observe hearings, ask for written critiques, and maintain professional decorum.

3. Legal Aid / Public Interest Summer Internship

• Why it matters: Substantive client contact; ideal if you value public interest credentials.
• How to secure: Apply to nonprofit legal services; highlight empathy and confidentiality.
• Make it count: Seek responsibility for client intake memos and community education deliverables.

4. Research Assistantship for Faculty

• Why it matters: Deep research projects that may lead to co-authorship or strong letters.
• How to secure: Approach faculty in spring with a project pitch and a concise writing sample.
• Make it count: Ask about authorship credit and retain drafts for applications.

5. Government or Agency Internship

• Why it matters: Exposure to administrative law, rule-making, enforcement processes.
• How to secure: Use central government internship portals; tailor cover letters to the agency’s mission.
• Make it count: Network across divisions and ask to sit in on rulemaking or adjudication sessions.

6. Think Tank / Policy Institute Internship

• Why it matters: Policy writing skills and a public law lens; good for future administrative law focus.
• How to secure: Apply with concise policy memos and substantive samples.
• Make it count: Produce a short brief designed for a policymaker audience.

7. Corporate Summer Legal Intern (In-House)

• Why it matters: Business context for legal issues: contracts, compliance, IP.
• How to secure: Network via business school events or alumni in corporate legal departments.
• Make it count: Shadow contract reviews and ask for mentorship meetings.

Summer application timeline & tips

• Start 4–6 months early: many programs have winter/spring deadlines.
• Polish a 1-page writing sample: a one-page memo showing analysis and concise citation is ideal.
• Request recommendations early: give professors 4–6 weeks’ notice and an application packet.
• Consider funding/logistics: apply for short grants or campus summer funding if unpaid opportunities are chosen.

Best Part Time Jobs For Pre Law Students

Part-time roles should be sustainable during semesters and still add resume value.

Top part-time picks

1. Research Assistant (Hourly)

• Why it’s great: High intellectual value; work fits around classes.
• How to get it: Ask faculty; submit a writing sample and highlight relevant coursework.

2. Law Office Receptionist / Administrative Assistant

• Why it’s great: Direct exposure to client intake and office organization.
• How to get it: Local firms often need afternoon help; reliability and confidentiality are key.

3. Document Review / Remote Contract Work (when age & platform rules allow)

• Why it’s great: Flexible hours, litigation exposure.
• How to get it: Reach out to staffing agencies or vetted vendor platforms; confirm data security protocols.

4. Library or Law Library Assistant

• Why it’s great: Familiarity with legal resources and research tools.
• How to get it: University libraries hire student assistants; emphasize research interest.

5. Debate Tutor / Coach or Moot Court Assistant

• Why it’s great: Strengthens argumentation, public speaking, and mentoring skills.
• How to get it: Advertise services or join campus tutoring centers.

6. Compliance or Contract Administration Assistant (part time)

• Why it’s great: Regular, predictable hours and direct insight into corporate legal functions.
• How to get it: Ask corporate legal or HR departments about shared-time roles.

7. Campus Pre-Law Society Officer / Peer Advisor (paid stipends in some schools)

• Why it’s great: Leadership experience and networking; helps with law-school interviews.
• How to get it: Run for office or apply when student organizations hire coordinators.

Balancing tips for part-time work

• Cap weekly hours: 10–15 hours during term is a common recommendation for undergraduates maintaining strong academics.
• Schedule classes first, then work and study blocks.
• Use micro-productivity techniques: 25–50 minute focused study sessions between shifts.

Practical Takeaways:

1. Decide your priority: skill-building (research/writing) vs. exposure (courtroom/clients) vs. income.
2. Prepare a 1-page resume focused on research, writing, and responsibility. Include campus leadership and volunteer clinics.
3. Craft a 1-page writing sample (concise memo) and a 30-second verbal pitch.
4. Apply early for summer roles (4–6 months ahead). For part-time roles, visit local firms with a resume in hand.
5. Ask for feedback and references after each role; keep a work log to convert experiences into personal-statement material.
6. Protect your time: set a maximum weekly hour target during the semester; communicate exam weeks to your employer early.

Ethics, Confidentiality & Professionalism (must-knows)

• Confidentiality is non-negotiable. Never share client information outside authorized channels.
• Understand conflicts-of-interest at firms and clinics — raise questions to supervisors.
• Follow dress codes and professional norms when interacting with clients, judges, or agency staff.
• Document handling: always follow paper/electronic handling protocols and firm policies.

How to turn a job into a law-school strength

• Collect short evaluations or supervisor notes highlighting specific contributions.
• Save work products (redacted or with permission) that show research or writing ability.
• Request concise recommendation letters focusing on writing, ethics, and responsibility.
• Use experiences in personal statements to tell a story about how real-world work solidified your law-school goals.

Conclusion:

Choosing the best jobs for pre law students means selecting roles that teach analytic thinking, clear writing, ethical judgment, and professional habits.

Paralegal and judicial internships sit at the top for direct legal exposure; research assistantships and compliance roles build rigorous skills and business context; legal aid and policy work sharpen client empathy and public interest instincts. Summers are your chance for concentrated learning — apply early and prioritize mentorship and writing opportunities.

During semesters, sustainable part-time roles that let you practice research, client intake, or legal technology provide steady, resume-worthy growth.

Start by clarifying whether you want litigation, public interest, corporate, or policy exposure; build a concise resume and writing sample; and apply early. With deliberate choices and strong mentorship, each role becomes a stepping stone to law school and a professional legal career.