Internship/Externship Opportunities

The Supreme Court of Ohio offers competitive externship and internship opportunities for undergraduate, graduate, and law students. These programs reflect the Court’s proactive approach to identifying and cultivating future talent for potential roles within the Court. They also serve to support students pursuing legal careers, whether as attorneys or in administrative capacities, throughout the state.

Beginning with the 2025–2026 academic year, the Supreme Court of Ohio became a business partner with Cristo Rey Columbus High School through the school’s Professional Work Study Program. As part of this partnership, the Court’s administrative offices host high school student interns throughout the academic year.

These programs provide students with valuable opportunities to apply classroom learning in real-world settings. By working alongside professionals, students gain practical experience, hands-on training, and meaningful insight into potential career paths. Whether through externships or internships, participants develop a deeper understanding of the judicial branch of government.

Externships are primarily designed for law students who work in the Justices’ chambers or affiliated offices of the Court. Law students interested in placements within the Court’s administrative offices may also participate through the externship program.

Internships are open to undergraduate and non-legal graduate students and are hosted within the administrative offices of the Court. Ideal candidates for both programs are those with a genuine interest in learning how the court system functions.

Externships

The Supreme Court’s externship program is designed for externs to partner with a specific office to learn more about the work, roles, and responsibilities of court attorneys. With the support of attorneys, externs research legal issues, observe court proceedings, perform court-related duties assigned by a Justice including research, and assist in drafting legal documents.

Externs are assigned supervising attorneys to assist them during the externship and receive instructions on assignments. They also participate in projects created to increase legal skills and professional development.

Though externships are unpaid, the Supreme Court commits to meeting the requirements of academic institutions to earn academic credit. Externships may be full-time or part-time, as determined by the specific office. Supreme Court staff indicate the number of extern positions available and then during orientation, work with the extern to arrange their schedule. Though externs are required to be on site, there may be some flexibility with remote work.

* Fall extern openings are communicated in February and again in May.

Internships

The Supreme Court’s internship program is designed for undergraduate and graduate students  to partner with professionals working on the administrative operations of the Court. With the support of Court staff, interns may work in any administrative office within the Court.

In addition to their assigned work, interns are provided with the opportunity to attend court proceedings, attend staff meetings, and observe meetings of boards, commissions, and committees that fall within their interests and academic programs. Some administrative support tasks—such as answering telephone calls, data entry, creating documents, photocopying, and responding to public inquiries—may be part of the intern’s role.

Internships may either be paid or unpaid. Regardless of the compensation, the Supreme Court commits to meeting the requirements of academic institutions to earn academic credit, if desired by the intern. Internships must be part-time, less than 30 hours a week, with specific hours determined by the assigned office. Most interns are required to be on site, although there may be some flexibility with remote work.