Internships

Internships and summer jobs can be helpful as you discern your sense of calling to pursue a legal career and determine areas where you may be interested in practicing law.

Internships in the legal profession

Internships are typically unpaid and involve 8 to 10 hours of field work as you "shadow" or assist an attorney, along with several hours of class and course work. In some instances, your internship may qualify for an independent study with the assistance of the pre-law advisor, and in some departments, your internship experience can count for academic credit. Go to our Internships page for additional information about some recent openings.

The following organizations have previously had Calvin students working as interns:

• Varnum, Riddering, Schmidt & Howlett, L.L.P.
• Dispute Resolution Center
• Warner Norcross & Judd L.L.P.
• Kent County Victim Witness
• Michigan Immigrant Rights Center
• Disability Advocates of Kent County
• Brett N. Rodgers, Chapter 13 Bankruptcy Trustee
• Universal Forest Products, Inc.
• CALL Immigration Services
• Law Offices of Kelly G. Lambert III, P.C.
• West Michigan Legal Aid
• Brinks and Associates
• Stenger & Stenger, P.C.
• Justice for our Neighbors-United Methodist Committee on Relief
• United States Attorney's Office for the Western District of Michigan
• Smith Haughey Rice & Roegge Law Firm

Summer jobs in the legal profession

Summer jobs in law firms are difficult to obtain because firms tend to hire first, second and third-year law school students to fill those positions. However, you may be able to get a position as a legal assistant or a messenger at a firm. As Calvin is notified of open positions, links to more information are posted.

Current internship opportunities

For a listing of possible current internship openings in the general area around Calvin University, check out some internships at the bottom of this page.  Additionally, internship openings may be available within Calvin’s Semester in Washington D.C. Program and through Calvin’s Career Development Office (check Calvin Career Center homepage and access Handshake). Indeed.com is also a good source to use when searching for internships related to the legal field.

Additional internship possibilities

The following postings were provided to the Calvin pre-law program by the sponsoring firm or organization. The openings may have been filled since posting, but Calvin pre-law students are encouraged to contact the company to determine current availability.

• FBI Honors Internship

  Discover an insider’s perspective on FBI operations while gaining unparalleled experience with the Honors Internship and Visiting Scientist Programs. You can also begin a career directly after graduation with our Collegiate Hiring Initiative. To learn more about these opportunities, explore the sections below.

  The Honors Internship Program is a 10-week, paid internship for college undergraduate and graduate students. While exploring career options, students work side-by-side with FBI employees at the Washington, D.C.-area Headquarters or in Field Offices around the country.  Applicants must be U.S. Citizens and attend a college/university full-time, with at least a 3.0 GPA. An extensive background check is required. Intern assignments are based on the current skills needed in the FBI.

  For more information, go to https://www.fbijobs.gov/students/undergrad

  (Posted May 2022)

• U.S. District Court Internships

  The U.S. District Court Western District of Michigan frequently hires interns to work in their offices in temporary, part-time positions. The internships are sometimes paid positions, and work within the needs of academic requirements. There are no employee benefits associated with the positions. Follow this link for additional information.

  (Posted May 2022)

• Volunteer Positions at the Legal Assistance Center

  The Legal Assistance Center (a non-profit legal self-help center) regularly seeks volunteers to work with a small, dedicated staff providing information, forms, resources, referrals and assistance to the public on issues including family law, landlord/tenant, small claims, consumer collection, probate, and other basic legal matters. The Center provides training for volunteers, who learn first-hand about he operations of the Michigan Circuit and District Courts, as well as becoming familiar with various types of law and learning the special skill of working with people facing legal challenges. Legal experience is not required, and volunteers do not need to be currently studying law to volunteer.

  More details about the position and application information is available at this link.

  (Posted May 2022)

• Internship with Brinks Law Firm

  The Brinks Law Firm in Kentwood, Michigan hires student interns, with job responsibilities including: learning to write a business letter; reviewing written materials on law and ethics; working on client matters and interacting directly with clients; practicing telephone skills in legal contexts, including analyzing the issues presented by callers, projecting professionalism, and problem solving; and reviewing and updating websites and social media. The interns are supervised by Sharon Brinks and her legal assistant. 
  
  For additional information, contact BrinksLawFirm@BrinksLawFirm.net. To apply, submit your resume via email to the same email address.

  (This is an ongoing position)

• Internship with Ottawa County 20th Circuit Court

  The 20th Judicial Circuit and Ottawa County Probate Courts feel a responsibility to contribute to the development and training of future professions for the criminal justice system and other related social service fields through their Internship Program. Their quality internships provide a practical learning experience within the justice system, which benefits the student, their school and the court. Internships may be taken for academic credit.

  Internships of 15 to 20 hours per week are available for students at a junior or senior level. Job placements will involve caseworker duties, juvenile services administrative duties, investigation, research and additional responsibilities and positions as determined by the needs of the court.

  For a list of Internship openings, follow this link. To complete an application, use this link.

  (Posted May 2022)

• Internships with Ottawa County Legal Self-Help Center

  The Legal Self-Help Center of Ottawa County has ongoing openings for volunteers to assist the public and answer questions regarding court policies and procedures. The volunteers will provide information about various legal matters and will also assist patrons in filling out forms in the Center's Grand Haven, West Olive, or Holland offices.

  For more information about volunteering, use this link.

  (Posted May 2022)

• Michigan Immigrant Rights Center

  The Michigan Immigrant Rights Center has year-round internship openings at their office in Grand Rapids, Michigan; interns working during the school year receive academic credit, and summer internships are paid positions. The Center is a non-profit, public interest law firm focused on providing technical and co-counsel assistance and training to Michigan legal aid and pro bono attorneys handling immigration and immigrant rights matters. These matters include advocacy, legislative analysis, and coalition-building among assistance providers as well as providing direct services to clients.

  The intern will work under the supervision of immigration law attorneys, providing support with cases and projects including client interviewing, case and project assistance, translation and job shadowing. Spanish fluency is required. Apply by email with a resume, three references and a cover letter indicating your foreign language competency to mirc@michiganimmigrant.org -- note "GR MIRC Internship" in the subject line.

  (Updated May 2022)

• Volunteer Positions with Justice For Our Neighbors

  Justice For Our Neighbors West Michigan is a faith-based ministry of service involving diverse individuals, cultures, and faiths who come together through the United Methodist Church to welcome newcomers to U.S. communities.  Former positions have been for a Legal Assistant who works for the Site Attorney performing general office operations and client management support in the Grand Rapids office.  JFON is frequently looking for volunteers to work at their Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing, and Detroit locations.  More information is available on their website.

  (Posted May 2022)

• Internship in North Korean Human Rights - or- International Investment Dispute Settlement

  Handong International Law School in South Korea specializes in international/U.S. law and can offer an internship program in North Korean Human Rights or International Investment Dispute Settlement. The internship can be completed at either Handong in Korea, or at Calvin. For more information, contact Jae Won at Handong International Law School (jwon@handong.edu).

  (Posted May 2022)

• Internship with Migrant Legal Aid

  Migrant Legal Aid in Grand Rapids has openings for 3 to 4 interns or volunteers each summer. Interns will work with attorneys and office staff, assisting with outreach activities in teh migrant community, and performing some office tasks, and must be conversant in Spanish (since they may be assisting with client intake both in one-on-one personal interviews and on the phone). Students may also work with attorneys on legal research and other case support. For more information and to apply, including the possibility of receiving academic credit for the internship, follow this link.

  (Updated May 2022)

• Marshall-Motley Scholars Program

  The Marshall-Motley Scholars Program (MMSP) is a revolutionary and groundbreaking commitment to populate the South with a new generation of civil rights lawyers trained to provide legal advocacy of unparalleled excellence. Through scholarship support, legal fellowships, and professional mentoring, the MMSP will equip and prepare these aspiring lawyers to advocate on behalf of communities as they pursue racial justice and equity in the South, a region of the country where the majority of Black Americans live. Over the next two decades, this ambitious and unique program is committed to created the next generation of racial justice warriors through the development of 50 new civil rights lawyers. Students can follow this link to learn more about the program and to apply. 

  (Updated December 2023)

• Civil Liberties Fellowship with Michigan ACLU

  One of Calvin's students recently completed a internship at the ACLU in their Grand Rapids office -- a part-time opportunity for the course of a school year -- and noted that the work correlated closely with a passion for social justice. The attorney in charge of the office is willing to work around student academic schedules. To find out more about summer and school year internships that may be available, go to the West Michigan ACLU's Career page for internships.

  (Posted February, 2020)

• Allegan County Legal Assistance Center Internships and Volunteer Positions

  The ACLAC offers internship opportunities assisting clients with legal matters in various areas, providing an excellent way to enhance practical knowledge about the civil courts and their different procedures. The Center is a grant and donation-funded intiative and a non-profit organization that serves Allegan County residents who need legal assistance but cannot afford an attorney. The ACLAC offers unpaid, part-time internships and volunteer opportunities.

  For more information

  (Updated May 2022)