Thurgood Marshall Summer Law Internship Program

The Thurgood Marshall Summer Law Internship Program (TMSLIP) is a paid summer legal internship for New York City public high school students, run by the New York City Bar Association's Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging. Interns spend 6 to 8 weeks working at law firms, corporations, nonprofits, or government agencies, where they see how legal professionals work day to day. The program has placed students with legal employers since 1993. Interns are paid by their host employers, typically $17 per hour or more. Interns at nonprofits and government offices receive a $17 per hour stipend through the City Bar. The 2026 summer began with an in-person opening ceremony on June 24 and ended with a closing ceremony on August 27.

Must attend an NYC public high school and be at least 16 years old by June 1 of the program year. The application includes an online form, a resume, a transcript (official or unofficial), a letter of recommendation, a writing sample of 250 to 500 words, and a statement of interest of 250 words or less; students under 18 also need working papers. Applicants then take part in a group, panel-style interview. Accepted students must complete virtual pre-employment workshops on topics such as resume writing, interview skills, and office culture. For the 2026 program, applications were open from December 15, 2025 to January 12, 2026.