Congratulations! You’ve made it through your first year of law school. That’s no small feat. After months of reading cases, navigating cold calls, and surviving exams, the idea of taking a full summer off may sound incredibly appealing.
But before you close your laptop and check out completely, it’s worth pondering what to do with your 1L summer. Your 1L summer doesn’t need to be perfect, but it should be intentional. Approaching your summer with a plan can set the stage for long-term success in the legal field.
At BARBRI, we consistently see that students who approach their early law school experiences strategically build stronger resumés, better networks, and more confidence heading into 2L recruiting—and beyond. Here are some ways to make your time away from the classroom really count.
Why Your 1L Summer Matters
Your 1L summer should be about exploration and skill-building. A summer legal position can be that key steppingstone toward your legal career and can give you a boost in the job market.
A thoughtful summer experience can help you:
- Clarify your legal interests: Pinpoint the practice areas or types of legal work that genuinely spark your interest and let that focus guide where you apply and who you connect with.
- Gain foundational practical skills: Reach out to professionals, volunteer for projects during your internship, and ask for feedback so you can build real skills and leave a strong impression.
- Build professional relationships: Keep in touch with mentors, supervisors, and peers from your internship. Those connections often become the people who champion you, guide you, and help open doors as your career grows.
- Strengthen your resumé before on-campus interviews (OCIs): Use your early experiences, projects, and feedback to refine your resumé so it highlights real skills, clear accomplishments, and the story you want employers to see. - link to new OCI blog article when available
Even if your first role isn’t your dream job, it can still be a powerful learning and networking opportunity.
Weigh Your 1L Summer Options
What you do during your 1L summer is one of the first major career decisions you’ll make in law school. There’s no single “right” path, but there is a smart path for you. Below are four common 1L summer options and how to choose the one that aligns with your goals.
1. Legal Internships (The Most Common Path)
Legal internships—paid or unpaid—remain the most popular 1L summer choice. They are ideal if you want hands-on experience and a resumé-building opportunity.
Common placements include:
- Judicial internships
- Small or midsize law firm roles
- Government or public interest positions
Through a summer internship, you’ll gain exposure to real legal work like research, drafting, and client interactions. These practical workplace skills go beyond what is taught in law school. You also gain access to early professional networking opportunities.
Pro Tip: Students who fully engage in 1L summer internships often enter their second year of law school with clearer career direction. This helps to reduce stress during OCI season.
How to Maximize Your Internship
- Be proactive and visible: Volunteer for assignments and ask for feedback.
- Treat every task seriously: Small projects build trust and lead to bigger ones.
- Ask thoughtful questions: Show curiosity about the work and the practice area.
2. Research Positions (Strong for Academic + Niche Interests)
Working as a research assistant (RA) for a professor can be a powerful alternative to a traditional internship. If you thrive in the educational setting, like to write, or want to pursue work in a specialized legal field, a research position may be a great option.
Benefits of Research Roles
- Strengthens legal writing and analytical skills
- Offers direct mentorship from faculty
- Helps you explore niche fields like constitutional law and international law
Pro Tip: Strong legal writing is one of the most critical skills for both law school success and bar exam performance. RA roles sharpen that edge early.
How to Stand Out as a Research Assistant
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Deliver meticulous, well formatted work
- Take initiative in digging deeper into legal questions
- Build a strong relationship with your professor (potential recommendation letter)
3. A Hybrid Summer (Highly Strategic)
This can be an enticing option if you are looking to balance experiences, income, and your academic goals. First-year law students are increasingly choosing to split their 1L summer between:
- Part-time internship + research
- Internship + summer coursework
- Work + early bar prep foundations
Why a Hybrid Approach to 1L Summer Works
This option is especially helpful for students who want flexibility or who are still exploring career paths. It provides the opportunity to:
- Gain experience without burnout
- Explore multiple practice areas
- Build both practical and academic credentials
4. Time Off (with Intention)
Let’s be honest: you might just need a break. Law school is demanding, and rest can be valuable to prevent burnout and financial strain. It can also be a time to fulfill personal obligations. Just keep in mind that doing “nothing” should be a deliberate choice rather than an accident.
If you take time off, consider light engagement such as:
- Coffee chats or interviews to promote networking and information gathering
- Career reflection and goal setting
- Skill building through legal writing refreshers, bar exam awareness, and other intentional activities
Pro Tip: Even small, consistent engagement with legal skills over the summer can make your remaining law school journey significantly smoother.
How to Choose the Right 1L Summer Path
Your 1L summer is your chance to shape your confidence, clarify your interests, and build momentum heading into 2L. To choose the path that fits you best, start with three core questions that can help you get to what’s important.
1. What Do I Want to Learn?
Your 1L summer is one of the few times in your legal career when you can explore without long-term commitment. Think about the skills or experiences you want to walk away with.
Ask yourself: Do I want practical experience, stronger writing skills, or exposure to a specific field?
Clarity now helps you avoid scrambling during 2L OCIs and gives you a more intentional approach to your career path.
2. What Will Move Me Forward?
Every 1L summer option adds value, but not in the same way. Think strategically about what will help you build the strongest foundation for 2L recruiting, clinics, journals, and long‑term opportunities.
Ask yourself: Which option will add the most value to my resumé and future opportunities?
Sometimes the best option isn’t the most prestigious. It’s the one that gives you the clearest direction and the most growth.
3. What Do I Realistically Need Right Now?
Your 1L summer should support your long‑term success, not drain you before 2L even begins. Be honest about your personal circumstances.
Ask yourself: Do I need paid work to keep my finances in check? What is most important for my health and long‑term sustainability?
Sometimes the right path is the one that gives you space to recover, regroup, and prepare for the intensity of 2L (and future bar prep).
Make Your Summer Work for You
Choosing your 1L summer path isn’t about following what everyone else is doing. Rather, it’s about selecting the experience that positions you for long‑term success. Whether you pursue an internship, dive into research, design a hybrid summer, or take intentional time off, the key is making a choice that aligns with your goals and your wellbeing.
No matter which direction you take, know that your 1L summer is just one step in your legal journey. What matters most is how you grow from the experience and how you carry that momentum into 2L, OCIs, and eventually bar prep. And when you’re ready for that next stage, BARBRI is here with the tools, guidance, and proven learning design to help you move forward with confidence.
Want to make sure you’re building the skills that matter most for law school success and the bar exam? Explore BARBRI’s early preparation resources and Quimbee Study Aids to stay a step ahead.
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