BA in Law and MLS Internships

Internships are a great way to build on the knowledge you have learned in the classroom with practical application in a professional setting. They allow you to gain valuable, real-world experience and improve your marketability in your chosen career field. There are also many networking opportunities and the chance to be mentored by working professionals who can provide advice and guidance. Internships build your resume and your professionalism and give you information about what you like (or don't like!) about potential job paths.

Internship Information (for BA in Law, MLS, and Legal Paraprofessional students)

For general questions, contact Dr. Linus Kafka.

Important to Know:

It is the student’s responsibility to find an applicable, law-related internship. If you need ideas or help with locating an internship, a good starting place is with the list of law related internships on the SGPP website. If you want an internship with another organization, please be sure it meets BA/MLS in Law criteria, posted here.
You may be paid for an internship, however you cannot take an internship with an organization where you already are employed, unless it is with a different division of that organization, with different work duties, and a different supervisor.
In order to receive credit for the internship, you must fill out the internship work plan (linked below) and submit it to Dr. Linus Kafka before the deadline (defined below).
45 hours of work as an intern is equal to 1 credit of internship.
A student may take a maximum of 6 credits of internship. It is highly recommended that a student enroll in only 3 credits (or less) of internship per semester.
Enrollment is by permission. You will be enrolled in the internship after you submit an approved internship work plan.
There is a classroom component for each internship. The class is LAW 493 (593 for MLS students). This class will show up in your D2L site when the semester starts. There are assignments due which must be submitted to D2L, not by email to the instructor. Students who do not complete the assignments for the D2L class will not receive credit for the internship.

Internship Work Plan

The internship work plan as a fillable pdf can be found here. It should be completed with help from your host organization supervisor and submitted to Dr. Linus Kafka

Deadline

The deadline for filing the internship work plan is one week prior to the first day of classes for the semester in which you are applying to enroll in the internship.

Step-by-Step Details of the Internship Application Process

Prepare: Talk with your academic advisor about how an internship may meet your major requirements.
Research: Start by researching law firms or legal organizations that interest you. Look for firms that specialize in law that you're interested in, or that have a good reputation in the legal community. You can use online directories, such as Martindale-Hubbell, to find law firms and their contact information. Your state bar website may also have good search functions to assist in finding lawyers, LPs, firms, or other organizations practicing in the area you are seeking experience. The Arizona State bar website has a public search tool that allows you to search by area of practice, location, and other criteria. www.azbar.org (under the “For the Public” tab).
Create a resume and cover letter: Create a professional resume and cover letter that highlights your skills, education, and experience. Make sure to tailor your resume and cover letter to the specific law firm or legal organization you're applying to.
Confirm with the internship coordinator that the organization you are interested in interning with, and the proposed intern duties, experience, skills development, and other aspects of work are consistent with the learning objectives of the BA in Law or MLS program.
Apply: Once you have identified a law firm or legal organization you're interested in, send your resume and cover letter to the appropriate contact person. This might be a human resources representative or a hiring manager. However, since you are applying for an internship, not a job, often it is best to reach out directly to one of the legal practitioners in the office.
Follow up: If you haven't heard back from the law firm or legal organization within a week or two, follow up with them. Send a polite email or make a phone call to inquire about the status of your inquiry.
Prepare for an interview: If you're selected for an interview, make sure to prepare ahead of time. Research the law firm or legal organization, practice your interviewing skills, and dress professionally.
Secure the internship: After your interview, follow up with a thank-you note. If you're offered the internship, make sure to ask for details about the position, including start and end dates, hours, and expectations.
Fill out the University of Arizona forms to get your internship approved and to get enrolled in the internship class. Once the host has accepted you, you will need to coordinate with a representative from that organization who can help you fill out the University of Arizona internship work plan. Be clear on your form about how many credits of internship you are applying for. You can earn 1 credit of internship credit for every 45 hours of law-related work you do for your host organization. You can earn a maximum of 6 credits of internship towards your Law major. It is recommended that you do not enroll in more than 3 credits of internship per semester.
Confirm your enrollment in Law 493. Once you submit your work plan and other necessary forms, and you are approved, you should confirm that you are enrolled in the appropriate Law 493/593 section (this may take up to 72 hours). When the semester begins, go to your D2L page and check the syllabus for Law 493/593. You will have several assignments related to your internship to turn in over the course of the semester, but there are no in-person classroom requirements.

Additional LP Internship Information

LP students are required to have 120 hours of experiential education to qualify for licensure. Available experiential education options include clinical courses, simulation courses, and internships. (For information on clinical courses and simulation courses, please speak to your advisor.)

LP students wishing to identify and secure an internship should follow the steps outlined above but must make sure that the internship:

Is in the endorsement area for which they are seeking licensure; and
Includes “content on advocacy,” meaning that the internship offers the student meaningful opportunities to develop skills associated with conducting court hearings and trials, administrative hearings, mediation and arbitration, and settlement and plea negotiation.

Internship Opportunities

With prior approval, students may earn academic credit for internships in governmental agencies and other public institutions, where they will receive hands-on training in law-related fields. Up to six units of law-related internship units may be used to fulfill Law elective requirements.

These organizations typically host internships that qualify for academic credit for the BA in Law major.

Pima County Attorney’s Office
Tucson City Attorney's Office
City of Tucson Intergovernmental Relations
U.S. Marshal’s Office
CIA
FBI
U.S. Postal Inspector
Pima County Sheriff’s Department
Oro Valley and Tucson Police Departments
Public Defender’s Office
Victim Witness Program
International Rescue Committee
U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. and abroad
Congressional Offices (excluding campaign activities)
The White House

For a complete list of pre-approved law-related internships, please visit the Law Internship page.

If you would like an internship with an organization that is not pre-approved, please see the BA in Law Policy on Recognizing Internships for Credit (PDF) and inquire with BA in Law Career Strategies Officer Linus Kafka at lkafka@email.arizona.edu.

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