Law Internships in Nashville: Opportunities for Growth and Development

Nashville, a vibrant city with a thriving legal community, offers numerous internship opportunities for law students, undergraduate students, and even high school students interested in exploring the legal field. These internships provide invaluable real-world experience, professional development, and a chance to contribute to the community.

Opportunities with the Nashville Defender's Office

The Nashville Defender’s Office provides internship possibilities throughout the year for interested students. These unpaid internships offer significant opportunities for growth and professional development in a supportive educational environment. Interns can expect to gain a thorough understanding of client-centered indigent defense practices and develop practical skills applicable to their future careers.

Law student interns, working under the supervision of an Assistant Public Defender, may engage in various tasks, including:

Conducting client interviews
Researching and writing legal memoranda
Investigating cases
Interviewing witnesses
Observing negotiations with the District Attorney
Observing court proceedings

Students with a limited practice license pursuant to Tenn. Sup. Ct. R. 7, Section 10.01 may also have the opportunity to participate in trials, hearings, and other court proceedings.

The Nashville Defender’s Office also welcomes college and high school student volunteers. These volunteers may work with Investigators, Social Services teams, or Communications, performing clerical functions within the office. They may also have opportunities to learn from and shadow attorneys in court.

Read also: Internships in Nashville

Application Process for the Nashville Defender's Office

Students interested in interning or volunteering with the Nashville Defender’s Office should carefully review the application process timelines and instructions. Applications must be completed via the online portal by the stated deadlines.

The office conducts two phases of hiring for the summer internship program:

Early Decision: Law students can apply between September 1 and October 10 for a limited number of summer spots. Interviews are conducted, and offers are extended by early November.
Regular Decision: All other applications from law students and undergraduate/high school students are considered during the Regular Decision process. Applications can be submitted between September 1 and February 27.

Nashville Bar Association's Diversity Committee Summer Intern Program

The Nashville Bar Association (NBA) Diversity Committee's Summer Intern Program seeks diverse high school students for internships in law firms, corporate legal departments, and government law offices in Metro Nashville. The program offers a unique opportunity for students to gain exposure to the legal profession and develop valuable skills.

Interns participating in the program work approximately 6-8 hours every workday from June 1 through July 17, 2026. The program includes an orientation to introduce the interns to the law office environment. The NBA sponsors "Lunch and Learn" sessions every Friday during the program. These sessions provide interns with opportunities to learn from legal professionals and ask questions in a small group environment. One former intern recalled a "Lunch and Learn" session with Judge Richard Dinkins, where they had the opportunity to hear from and ask questions of a preeminent jurist and civil rights attorney.

Employer Participation in the NBA Program

The NBA encourages employers in Nashville's legal community to participate in the high school summer intern program. Employers are asked to assign a mentor to advise and closely supervise the intern within the firm. Employers who are unable to hire an intern can contribute to the program to help cover the costs of the "Lunch and Learn" sessions.

Read also: Music City Internship Guide

Collins Legal Internship Program

Collins Legal offers a robust Internship Program that considers various factors when selecting candidates, including:

Grade point average
Class rank
Participation in extracurricular activities
Oral and written communication skills
Interest in public service
Prior employment and/or internships

Collins Legal attempts to accommodate participants’ legal areas of interest. However, the division of workload and current client needs drive the program participants' daily, weekly, and monthly tasks.

Program participants are assigned a supervisor and work under the supervision and with the assistance of experienced lawyers and paralegals. Supervisors evaluate participants’ work regularly, providing constant feedback and constructive criticism.

Individuals selected for the Internship Program are expected to demonstrate ambition, a strong work ethic, and a desire to learn.

Tennessee Justice Center (TJC) Internship Program

TJC’s internship program offers several opportunities throughout the year for law students, recent graduates, and undergraduate students. These unpaid internships provide real-life experience working in social justice and public health law.

Read also: Predators Internship Guide

Student interns generally commit to an internship for a full semester academic term and/or summer. TJC recommends applying at least two to three months in advance of the preferred start date.

Former TJC interns have gone on to make a significant impact in law, public policy, and healthcare advocacy.

How to Apply to TJC

Select an Internship: Learn about all the internship opportunities available.
Fill Out the Form: Complete the inquiry form.

Interested applicants are encouraged to check in regularly for updates and availability, as opportunities may open up throughout the year.

District Attorney General - 20th Judicial District Internship

Summer interns with the Office of the District Attorney General - 20th Judicial District receive hands-on court experience prosecuting criminal cases. Students who have completed at least half of their legal coursework and are in good standing are eligible to apply for a limited license for practice. This allows students to participate in trials, hearings, and other in-court proceedings at the General Sessions and/or Criminal Court levels under the supervision of an Assistant District Attorney.

Interns interact with attorneys in the Office and members of the defense bar while negotiating cases. They regularly receive feedback from attorneys as they complete assignments. Interns are assigned to a team in one of the six criminal courts, general sessions, juvenile, or special teams (Vehicular Crimes, Domestic Violence, Child Sex Abuse, Special Operations, Human Trafficking, Conviction Review Unit, Financial Crimes, or Elder Abuse).

Past summers included field trips to Riverbend Max Security Institution, the Medical Examiner’s Office, and the MNPD Crime Lab and Property Room.

Application Process for the District Attorney's Office

Interested candidates should send a cover letter/letter of interest detailing their personal attributes, résumé, transcript (unofficial is acceptable), and a writing sample (less than 5 pages). The cover letter should articulate why they chose to apply to this District Attorney’s Office and why they are interested in prosecution.

The office is willing to comply with the necessary supervision/reporting requirements if class credit or stipends are available through the applicant's academic program. They do not split summers for 2L students.

Intern Experiences at the District Attorney's Office

Former interns have lauded the experience they gained at the District Attorney's Office:

One intern appreciated being trusted to take part in every step of a case, including helping prep witnesses, questioning jurors, and delivering opening, direct, and closing arguments (with supervision).
Another intern found the opportunity to work with the U-Visa program provided a unique intersection of criminal and immigration law, allowing them to gain legal experience while positively impacting the lives of victims of violent crimes.
Several interns highlighted the valuable courtroom exposure and the opportunity to apply the law to practical real-world experience.
One intern who won their first bench trial during their 2L summer credited their 1L summer observations of trials, motions, and preliminary hearings with preparing them for the experience.
Another intern emphasized the invaluable first-hand experience and the opportunity to work with knowledgeable attorneys who were generous with their help.

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