Minnesota Pre-Law Scholars Program
Minnesota Pre-Law Scholars (MPLS) is a program that offers a select number of students a free LSAT prep class each summer at the University of Minnesota Law School. Admission is highly selective and based on a holistic review of the MPLS application material. MPLS is an approved DiscoverLaw.org event.
College students considering law school, especially rising seniors and those from groups historically underrepresented in law school, are encouraged to apply. The program is open to undergraduate students and recent graduates from any undergraduate institution.
Students will learn about law school admissions preparation from Minnesota Law School staff. The remaining portion of class taught by an instructor from The Princeton Review, will be dedicated to LSAT preparation and practice exams.
Florida State University College of Law’s Summer for Undergraduates Program
This is an intensive, four-week program that provides interested students, particularly those from groups historically underrepresented in the legal profession, with an inside look at law school and the legal profession.
Cornell University Summer Pre-law Program
This is an intensive, six-week program in New York City which includes a class on the American legal system and an internship placement.
Foreign Policy Association
The FPA is a non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring the American public to learn more about the world. They offer internships, jobs, and volunteer opportunities around the world.
Other Programs:
Pre-Law Undergraduate Scholars (PLUS) Programs
ABF Undergraduate Research Diversity Fellowships in Law and Social Sciences
Public Defender Service Criminal Law Internship Program
Harvard Legal Service Center Undergraduate Internship
Harvard Legal Aid Bureau Program Assistant
Cornell University Pre-law Program in New York City
Minnesota Programs:
MN Capitol Pathways Program
Children’s Law Center of Minnesota
The Advocates for Human Rights
ACLU Minnesota
Gender Justice
International Institute of MN
The Legal Rights Center
Urban Scholars (City of Minneapolis)
Met Council Internships – paid internships in the Twin Cities
Internship and Job Shadowing Opportunities
Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights – Contract Compliance Division
The Minneapolis Department of Civil Rights Contract Compliance Division (CCD) monitors construction projects and goods and services contracts by enforcing various local, state and federal civil rights laws and policies during the procurement and construction stages of contracts. The CCD monitors city contracts to ensure that workers are treated fairly, paid appropriate wages, and that minorities, women and low income community members have access to employment and contracting opportunities.
MN Dept. of Human Services Executive Pathways Summer Internship Program
This paid internship program aims to recruit students who are interested in careers in public service. Graduate and advanced undergraduate students in public policy, social work, law, information technology and other human services-related programs of study are encouraged to consider an internship.
Rice County Attorney’s Office
St. Olaf pre-law students have frequently interned with Paul Beaumaster, Rice County Attorney. Contact him to set up an informational interview. After the interview you can set up a job shadowing or internship experience.
Labor Arbitration Institute
This Northfield based business has opportunities for pre-law students to do law research. Contact them to set up an informational interview and to start getting connected in the field.
Thomsen & Nybeck Law Firm
This firm offers full time interim academic internships to St. Olaf students. The primary focus of the internship is observing and experiencing the practice of law. The essence of the internship is accompanying the firm’s attorneys as they conduct themselves in the various events that are the practice of law, from hearings to arraignment calendars to depositions to trials. Contact Christopher Renz ’98 for more information.
Thomson Reuters
Part time, paid job in Eagan, MN: responsibilities for the interns include working with legal publishing documents to make sure they upload into our various databases properly along with other responsibilities. They will get to work with Westlaw as well as other tools we market to law firms. They will also be working on project teams on tasks that vary by department. Email Crystal (Radabaugh) Grobe for more information.
Myers Thompson P.A.
Myers Thompson is an immigration and nationality law firm concentrating in corporate immigration law. In the past they have had post-graduate job opportunities for St. Olaf students interested in immigration law. Contact attorney Sam Myers for more information regarding potential jobs or internships.
Humanity in Action Summer Fellows
The HIA Fellowship brings together university students from the United States and Europe for a rigorous, interdisciplinary inquiry into human rights, diversity, and minority issues. Students participate in the five-week fellowship in one of six different countries: Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Poland, or the United States. Upon completing the fellowship, Fellows join an active international network of young professionals and are eligible for internship opportunities at the United States Congress, European Parliament, International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, and other civic and political institutions.
Caplan & Tamburino Law Firm, P.A.
This firm regularly takes undergraduate interns (unpaid.) Call 612-341-4570 for more details, or write a letter of inquiry and send a resume to the firm using the contact information listed on the website.
Internship with a State Prosecutor in Owatonna
Opportunities would include shadowing one of our public defenders at client conferences, settlement negotiations, courtroom time and maybe a trial to the court without a jury or a jury trial. We could arrange some actual hands on experience with research or witness preparation for example.
Internship or Job Shadowing at Fishman & Binsfeld, P.A.
This Bloomington-based firm specializes in immigration, personal injury and criminal defense law and has been willing to host undergraduate students in the past. Contact attorney Phillip F. Fishman for more information.
Immigrant Law Center
This is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide quality immigration legal services and law-related education to meet the steadily increasing needs of Minnesota’s growing immigrant and refugee communities.
Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services
This organization represents low income people and senior citizens in Southeastern Minnesota.
The Legal Rights Center
The center represents, without charge, low-income people and people of color who have legal problems associated with the juvenile justice, criminal justice, and child welfare systems.
The International Institute of Minnesota
The Institute is an inter-racial, non-political, non-sectarian social service agency founded in 1919 to serve both foreign and native-born. It is affiliated with the US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI) and the United Way.
The Advocates for Human Rights
This is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and protecting human rights
through cutting-edge research, education, and advocacy. They have hosted St. Olaf interns in the past.
Legal Organizations in the Twin Cities for further exploration of opportunities.
Explore more resources for internships, research opportunities, and fellowships.