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Posted May 26, 2026

The best ways to gain legal work experience

Best ways to gain legal work experience

If you want to study a Master of Laws or other postgraduate law degree, or if you have already studied your PG law course, it’s important to get legal work experience. Even before you embark on studying law, it’s a good idea to do some work experience in this field, to make sure this is the right area of study for you. But gaining legal work experience is sometimes easier said than done.

In this article we are going to look at some of the best ways you can gain legal work experience.

Short-term internships

The advantages of doing a legal internship include the chance to observe legal work in practice, building up a network of contacts in this area, improving your research and writing skills, and boosting your CV for law school or job applications.

Law firms usually offer summer internships or other short-term placements – these are often designed around the university holidays, providing students with the chance to get work experience between their studies.

Courts, NGOs and government agencies also offer internships and short-term placements. Do some research online and see what’s available in your area of interest – the opportunities will vary according to your level if qualification. For example, the United Nations offers excellent legal internship opportunities that provide interns with the chance to gain insight into this prominent international judicial institution. This internship program is for law graduates with a bachelors degree or equivalent as well as those enrolled on a having recently graduated from a postgraduate law course.

Working as a paralegal

Now, most people are aware of Meghan Markle’s break-out role in the US series Suits as the brilliant paralegal Rachel Zane – the character arc went from fabulous researcher to qualified attorney over the series’ seven seasons. Although this was fiction, and the real Meghan Markle went on to leave her career as an actor and becoming Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, one truth highlighted by the series is that working as a paralegal is one of the most practical ways to gain hands-on legal experience.

Typical paralegal tasks include legal research, drafting documents, organising case files, communication with clients and preparing court materials – all activities that will stand you in good stead for a successful career in law. Working as a paralegal is a great way to gain relevant experience before law school as well as qualify for training contracts, or even to simply test the water and see if you actual enjoy working in legal practice.

Legal clinics and pro bono work

Universities often run legal clinics where students and volunteers help real clients under supervision. For example, Buckingham Law School at the University of Buckingham operates a law clinic with Milton Keynes Citizens Advice Bureau – this highlights the essential role clinical legal education plays in both student development and community support. Practical experience gained in this kind of volunteering position include interviewing clients, case management and learning how to maintain accurate and professional case notes. Those undertaking volunteer work in legal clinics are likely to work in areas including housing, immigration, employment, consumer rights and family law.

Non-profit organisations, such as housing charities and domestic violence support groups, often need help from non-lawyers, and by volunteering at one of these, you will still gain some relevant exposure to put on your CV, including client communication and document organisation.

Shadowing legal professionals and attending public hearings

If you have limited or no legal experience so far, you may be able to arrange to shadow a solicitor or barrister as they go about their day-to-day work. Obviously, this will be easier to arrange if you already know someone through friends or family to ask, but it’s always worth reaching out to people – maybe at a networking event or on LinkedIn, especially if you feel you have common ground (like attending the same university) or are interested in similar areas of the law.

By shadowing a legal professional, you will not only get a feel for what it’s like to work in a law firm, but you may also be able to attend mediations or tribunals. And whilst you’re at it, spend some time to observing hearings in public courts, there is after all a reason they’re called public hearings. In some cases, you could even be able to observe a public hearing remotely using a video or audio link – the UK Government website has more information on how to attend or access courts or tribunals.

Student moot courts

Mooting is a mock court environment that many universities and law schools have to enable students to debate points of law and practice the art of legal reasoning. According to the University of Reading School of Law website;

“Mooting develops participants’ capacity in legal research, argument, writing and oral advocacy. Students who take part, find that mooting improves their ability to formulate legal arguments.”

A moot court competition will simulate a court hearing and the participants will analyse a problem, take on the role of counsel and present legal arguments. Participating in moot courts will build advocacy, public speaking and networking skills. In addition to gaining invaluable experience and relevant skills, moot competitions are often held by law firms, and this gives students the chance to impress potential employers and colleagues.

Consider working in related fields

If you can’t find a legal internship or volunteer position, consider looking for a placement in a related field that could then transfer into a law placement. For example, administrative work in areas such as compliance, contracts, HR or corporate governance will give you transferable skills that legal employers will value. Also, consider research assistant roles as these will also give you research and analysis skills which will be invaluable when you finally do land that legal position.

Interested in studying an LLM degree program? Use our course search to find your perfect Master of Laws.

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