Discovering Legal Internships In Pittsburgh: Opportunities And Insights

Why Consider Pittsburgh For Legal Internships

When it comes to legal internships, Pittsburgh has a lot to offer. With a rich history of legal professionals and law firms, Pittsburgh provides a diverse landscape for students to gain valuable insights into the legal world. Internships here allow students to learn from experienced attorneys in top law firms while also experiencing the city’s unique culture and lifestyle.
Pittsburgh is home to a wide array of law firms, from large national firms to smaller boutique practices. This gives students the opportunity to work alongside attorneys from various specialties, providing a well-rounded experience that can enhance their legal education. Interns can also gain practical skills by working on real cases and in courtrooms, all while being mentored by seasoned attorneys. These experiences can provide a leg up in the highly competitive job market after graduation.
In addition to law firms, Pittsburgh is also home to a number of corporate and government offices, providing an outlet for students to work on legal issues in the business and public sectors. These opportunities allow students to explore different areas of the law and find their niche within the field .
Moreover, the city’s legal community is known for its collegial atmosphere, providing interns with access to a strong network of legal professionals who can offer valuable advice and guidance. Networking is an important aspect of the legal field, and Pittsburgh’s many legal events, conferences, and organizations can help students build connections that will last well into their careers.
Finally, one cannot overlook the benefits that living in Pittsburgh offers while completing a legal internship. The city is full of culture and vibrancy, with amenities that cater to both a work-life balance and entertainment. Whether it’s dining in one of the many restaurants, visiting a world-class museum, or attending a local sports game, internships in Pittsburgh can provide a rich life experience that goes hand-in-hand with professional development.
A legal internship in Pittsburgh provides students with the chance to be part of a unique legal landscape. With its many law firms, corporate offices, and cultural attractions, Pittsburgh is an exciting destination for anyone looking to kick-start their legal career.

Top Law Firms That Offer Internships

Many of the top law firms in Pittsburgh that recruit interns are also those that are considered among the best firms in Pittsburgh. They include:
K&L Gates: This firm has a longstanding internship/intern program for students, clerks, and graduates. Internship duties may include (but are not limited to) conducting research for partner and associate attorneys, assisting with litigation preparation and/or trial materials, and preparing various types of correspondence. The Toronto and London offices seek Ph.D. candidates for their intellectual property group.
Reed Smith: Reed Smith has a unique 10-week program for 2Ls. Each intern is matched with an attorney who serves as a mentor, guiding them through the intern experience. The firm focuses on healthcare, life sciences, energy, and other areas where they seek to be leaders. Selection is based on academic and other qualifications as well as the interview.
Pittsburgh-based Cohen & Grigsby has also earned a reputation for providing exceptional services to clients within various industries. They look to hire only the best candidates, and they provide internships that offer significant responsibility. Last year, four participants received offers to return to the firm. Interns are paired with an attorney mentor in advance of their first day on the job.
Many other top Pittsburgh law firms also offer internship/intern programs. Examples include:
The program offered by Babst Calland consists of two separate summer programs. The litigation group seeks likes from 1LS to 2Ls, so they can work with the firm from an early stage to improve the candidate pool for future applications.
Interns at the Duquesne University School of Law internship program balance hands-on work with formal training sessions. They get to engage with faculty members of the law school and court officials, as well as hear from speakers ranging from judges to our receptionists. The program offers orientation and training that allows interns to develop their legal skills. Those interns complete the program with extensive experience and a letter of recommendation informing potential employers of their qualifications and skills.
Some of these opportunities are highly competitive, but they are also your chance to find out more about the firms that interest you. An internship may help you land a full-time position.

Internships With Legal Agencies

Legal Aid of Pittsburgh and Allegheny County—providing the power of the law for those in need. From helping military veterans get their benefits or providing counsel on a housing issues to family law and expungements, legal aid of Allegheny County and legal aid of Westmoreland County serve as an invaluable asset to our community. Nearly 44 percent of those seeking legal assistance through the support of the Allegheny County Bar Foundation are children. 18 percent of clients are military veterans. Whether you’re looking to get experience in estate planning, housing issues, family law, bankruptcy or begin a career in social work or counseling, working at a legal aid organization can provide unparalleled firsthand exposure to an accessible piece of the "democratic system."
Providing advice and counsel to clients, handling court appearances, conducting legal research, writing briefs and pleadings, and testifying before a judge are all routine tasks interns are responsible for at legal aid organizations, legal aid clinics or with nonprofits. Completion of law school is not a requirement, and projects are carefully tailored based on an individual’s experience and interests. Some legal aid and nonprofit organizations also use interns to help in the office and provide education, outreach and intakes at public events.

Partnership With Universities And Internship Programs

A key aspect of legal internships in Pittsburgh is the collaboration between law firms and Pittsburgh area universities to provide internship programs for students. Through these programs, law firms have access to a pool of qualified candidates who are looking to gain hands-on experience in the legal field, while students have the opportunity to gain insight into the day-to-day workings of a law firm and the chance to build their professional networks.
One noteworthy university partner is the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, which offers a range of internship opportunities for its students. The school has partnerships and collaborations with several local law firms, providing students the opportunity to work in a variety of legal specialties, from corporate law to public interest work. One unique program offered by the University of Pittsburgh is its "Externship Program", which allows students to work within a law firm under a supervisor while receiving credit for participating in the program . The law school also offers fellowships to students who demonstrate impressive academic merit, helping students gain summer experience with area firms.
Duquesne University School of Law also partners with law firms through their "Work-Study Program". This program allows students to receive financial aid while gaining valuable, on-the-job learning experiences at a local law firm. This professional growth and financial assistance is invaluable, especially to first-year students who might find it particularly difficult to gain employment without prior experience. The Duquesne program, alongside other similar programs offered by law schools in Pittsburgh, help to instill confidence and foster relationships between students and their future employers.
Taking the time to invest in a local student interns could be a very wise decision for law firms in Pittsburgh. By establishing a relationship with local university law schools, law firms are able to develop relationships with promising young lawyers.

College/University Networking And Professional Development Resources

In addition to internship opportunities, Pittsburgh law students have access to a wealth of networking and professional development resources throughout the city. The Allegheny County Bar Association (ACBA) offers a variety of events, including regular social mixers, professional presentations, and practice-specific seminars. These gatherings provide law students with valuable opportunities to connect with practicing attorneys, local judges, and the legal community at large.
Moreover, the ACBA hosts an annual "Young Lawyers Division" event series designed specifically for law students and recent grads. These programs offer a unique opportunity for law students to mingle with attorneys in a relaxed setting while also equipping them with best practices for succeeding in the legal field.
Pittsburgh’s courts are not only a fantastic resource for obtaining firsthand experience of the inner workings of the state’s justice system, but they also provide law students with a chance to meet judges casually. The Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas, for example, regularly hosts meet-and-greet events for the legal community in and around the Pittsburgh area. Additionally, many of the Family, Orphan’s, and Traffic Courts also share information about workshops and events for law students and young lawyers. For instance, the Family Division has previously hosted a program designed to connect family lawyers with orphan’s lawyers. Similar networking and professional development opportunities can be found at the Pennsylvania and Western District Federal Courts.
Beyond these local options, some national law firms also offer networking and professional development resources. Reed Smith – Pittsburgh hosts several events aimed at law students and young lawyers throughout the year. These events range from CLEs to mentoring opportunities, and entry is typically free of charge. For professionally minded law students looking for similar opportunities in the greater Pittsburgh area, check in with the South Asian Bar Association of Western Pennsylvania and the Women’s Bar Association of Western Pennsylvania, both of which provide similar resources for law students and young lawyers.
Dining options around Pittsburgh’s courthouse also provided another option for furthering one’s professional development. The Pittsburgh Plaza Food Court is located directly next to the Allegheny County Courthouse. On this level of the county building, you’ll find the County Cafeteria, as well as Lenny’s Grill and Subs, that provide a relaxing space to take a break from your law studies.
Students looking for restaurants located just on the fringes of historical legal district can find plenty of other dining options. Morgantown Brewing Company, Eleven Contemporary Cuisine, Per Marco, Remedy Coffee, Patty Betos, and Harris Grill are all within a short walk of the opening of Grant Street and Ross St.
Once you’ve landed a legal internship in Pittsburgh, it is important to stay involved in the legal community. Involvement in events across the city can enrich your experience and help you continue to grow professionally within the legal sector.

What To Know To Get A Legal Internship In Pittsburgh

Securing a legal internship during law school is crucial to gaining practical experience, networking opportunities and getting ahead in the competitive job market after graduation. All law students should take advantage of such opportunities and work hard to secure the very best internships available. The question, then, for every law student is: how can I most effectively secure a legal internship in my area? The answer all begins with research and preparation.
Research Law Clerk and Internship Opportunities
The most important preparation for any law student looking for a legal internship is research. This research should begin with the schools own career center. Many schools keep detailed lists of not only current internships, but upcoming opportunities that are available to students. This will usually account for about 50% of legal internships. In addition, law students should invest their time into researching and applying to as many internships as they can find. No one is so good that law firms or corporate offices are knocking down their door for the best positions. Instead, law students should be disciplined and aggressive about applying for as many internships as possible.
Besides researching legal internship opportunities that the university itself posts, law students should reach out to their existing network for help. Friends, relatives, professors and even alumni should all be utilized when it comes to seeking internship opportunities. Having this help doesn’t mean that any law student can sit back and relax and wait for these opportunities to come their way. Everyone needs to be on the offensive and on the lookout for any and all potential openings.
How to Prepare for an Internship Application
Everyone knows how to write a resume , yet very few people know how to write a resume that will actually attract attention to students. Law students looking for a legal internship should spend as much time as possible fine-tuning their resumes. They should enlist the help of the university career center, even friends and relatives to help them create a resume that is eye catching, yet concise. Make sure that the resume accurately reflects not only academic credentials but also real-world experience as well. It is also a good idea for law students to focus on writing sample skills during law school, creating opportunities where there is little ambiguity and interpretation when it comes to persuasive writing.
Lastly, before attending a job interview, law students should find out as much as they can about the potential internship and the firm or company that they are interested in working for. They should research the area of law that the organization handles, and be able to articulate the reason why they are interested in the position, as well as what they can bring to the table. They should also have a few questions prepared for the interviewer, as well. By researching the company, the student will be able to ask questions and become more engaged in the interview. Interviewers are always hunting for individuals who ask insightful questions, so it’s crucial that a law student take the time to prepare.