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If you’re looking for a law internship abroad, this is your opportunity to join a cause-driven team providing legal services to members of disadvantaged communities that need pro bono legal support. As an intern, you can be part of advances women’s rights through strategic litigation, advocacy, and training – or offer legal advice to refugees or victims of gender-based violence. Whichever nonprofit legal internship you join, you’ll gain a wealth of practical work experience, while you become familiar with the power legal work can have in a humanitarian context.
Here’s your chance to blend your passion for law with your determination to make a meaningful impact and advocate for social justice. These law internships are resume-boosting, as well as highly rewarding. Regardless of the type of law career you envision for yourself, advocacy internships offer an inspiring springboard for what comes next. Moreover, this is an opportunity to live and work abroad – to experience a different way of life, soak up a foreign culture, and enjoy a travel adventure.
Why choose Roots Interns for Law Internships?
Grassroots work
You’ll join an organization that works directly with their community to solve problems on the ground and make a real impact.
Matchmaking
We’ll help you find and prepare for an internship with the organization that’s right for you and your skills, background, and passions.
Academic placements
Working abroad is an experience like no other and your internship will be tailored to your studies and interests
Browse All Law Internship Projects
Law & Advocacy Internship
- 4-12 weeks
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Research, Litigation, Advocacy, Campaigns
Assist with litigation, research, and advocacy campaigns to advance women's rights.
Find out more
Law Internship
- 8-26 weeks
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Research, Awareness, Case Assistance
Gain experience in research, provide information, and offer support to (female) victims of abuse.
Find out more
Advocacy & Human Rights Internship
- 20-26 weeks
- Cape Town, South Africa
- Human rights, refugee law and migration issues
Gain valuable legal experience while offering refugees in Cape Town support and advice.
Find out more
Other Academic Focus Areas
Benefits of Law Internships
Make an impact
Engage in legal work in one of these law internships where you’ll have a direct and positive impact on marginalized populations and disadvantaged communities, merging your legal career with social justice work.
Personal Network
As an intern, you’ll get the chance to connect with legal professionals, experts, and activists in the field of nonprofit law. Enabling you to expand your professional and personal network.
Resume Enhancement
A law internship displays your commitment to social justice and legal advocacy, making you an attractive applicant for legal roles in the field.
Practical Experience
Your internship might involve working with legal cases which will provide practical experience in case management, client interaction, and document preparation which are all valuable attributes for future legal careers.
Problem Solving
As an intern, you’ll address complex legal challenges by participating in one of our law internships which is sure to foster problem-solving and critical-thinking skills.
Connections
Working with individuals from underserved communities, getting to hear their stories, and making a difference in their life will allow you to build meaningful.
Why Choose Roots Internships in Law
Find out from our previous interns how internship positions in Lawcan boost your professional career and grow your interpersonal skills.
I worked on a variety of things during my remote internship. I helped with the implementation of the Kwanele App guiding victims to report GBV in South Africa, drafted a handbook for people who responded to the helpline to support survivors, assisted with legal consultation, and summarized clients’ cases. Together with the social media team, we launched the Know Your Rights Campaign to make the law accessible to everyone. And finally, I also looked for and updated grant opportunities for social enterprise or innovation.
Rujia, Harvard University, Chinese – Law Internship, South Africa
The experience I gained was nothing short of life-changing. From the get-go, I was welcomed as a valuable member of the team and given responsibility. I found that the ideas I had were welcomed and equally, I always felt I could ask questions where needed making it a great learning environment. Working with this organization has undoubtedly added to my interest in working in human rights law and has given me a fantastic insight into the running of an NGO. I found the commitment and work ethic of the team to be hugely motivating, once again creating a great learning atmosphere. A huge asset to my internship was how hands-on it was. Given that it’s a small organization, every little bit helps, so from the get-go, I felt like a working member.
Ceola, Trinity College Dublin, Irish – Law Internship, South Africa
My time here has awakened me to take notice of the problems South Africa faces regarding migrant and refugee rights. It’s also been a reality check. The articles about problems in different parts of the world regarding refugees and migrants have become more of a general statement in the everyday newspaper. When I started here, I was suddenly sitting across from people with real problems and asking for help, which can be quite confronting. If I look at the impact I can personally make, it would be no more than at a micro level. I can only make a difference in a one-on-one situation for the person who is sitting directly in front of me. This often means that I make clients aware of the importance of certain documents that they need in order to help them further. However, I also call schools to explain someone’s situation resulting in a child being able to get access to education the next day. If you hear that your effort made things work out, it gives you a feeling of satisfaction.
Emiel, University of Antwerp, Belgium – Advocacy and Human Rights Internship, South Africa
Law FAQs
How much experience do I need to qualify for a law internship?
It varies per internship. But overall, you’ll need to be studying law or have completed a legal training course, and any work experience is a bonus. It’s also recommended to do a bit of background research on the legal landscape in the country and social impact cause that you’ll be joining. Have a look at the individual internship listings to find out more about the intern tasks and requirements.
Can I get credit for my law internship?
Yes, our internships are all at an academically high level, so double check with your advisor whether your university approves it. Plenty of our interns receive university credit for their internship placements, and we’re always happy to handle any paperwork required. We can also help you purchase transfer credits that can be added to your internship experience. Just get in touch to find out more!
Hoe do I apply for a law internship?
If you’re ready to apply for an advocacy internship, here’s what to do;
- If you know which internship you’d like to apply for, fill out the application form, and send your resume to internship[at]rootsinterns.com. If you’re interested in multiple internships, or you’re not sure which one would suit you best, you can shoot us an email so we can help you figure it out.
- Next we’ll set up a short virtual call to discuss your application, find out more about you and your internship goals/interests, and answer any questions you might have.
- We’ll then pass your application on to the person who would be your supervisor for the internship. If they think it might be a good match, there will be a second interview, which will go into more detail about the role itself.
Question
Answer
HOW TO APPLY
If you’re ready to apply for this internship, here’s what to do:
APPLY
Fill in the application form (it will show in a new screen) which includes sharing your CV to us
SPEAK WITH AN ADVISOR
We’ll set up a call with you to go through your application.
INTERNSHIP MATCHING
If we feel it’s a good match, we’ll set up a call between you and the supervisor for this internship.
PAYMENT
If everyone’s happy, we’ll provisionally confirm your placement! We’ll then send you the invoice for the deposit, getting started with the booking process and all the info you need.
CONFIRMATION
Only once we receive payment of the deposit your placement will be confirmed.
NEED TO MAKE AN ENQUIRY FIRST?
Or if you’d just like to ask us some questions about this internship first, just fill in the contact form below. We’ll be happy to assist!
