Apply
Applications open each November for students entering law school the following fall. Check the full schedule for important dates.
SEO Law Fellowship
Fast track your legal career.
What it is
The SEO Law Fellowship is a national program for incoming law students that provides early access to top law firms through a paid internship the summer before 1L. Fellows begin the program with the two-week Law Institute, followed by over 200 hours of academic support, mentorship, and access to a national network of legal professionals.
- More than 2,500 Fellows have participated in the program
- Interned with 88 top law firms nationwide
- 100+ alumni have made partner at major firms
- Over 275 alumni serving in General Counsel and in-house counsel roles.
“Becoming an SEO Law Fellow and spending the summer at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP has been an incredible opportunity. I’m excited to carry that experience with me as I begin my journey.”
Mya SEO Law Fellowship
“Being part of the SEO Law Fellowship Program has given me invaluable training and early exposure to the legal profession before starting law school. I’m especially grateful for the community of mentors, alumni, and peers who are already shaping my foundation and inspiring my path forward.”
Veronica SEO Law Fellowship
“Being an SEO Law Fellow has been life-changing. My summer at Jones Day Cleveland strengthened my passion for my work and I’m deeply grateful to SEO for helping me take this next step as I begin my journey.”
Naomi SEO Law Fellowship
The SEO Law Fellowship is for incoming law students who want to:
Work with leading law firms before law school begins
Fellows participate in a 10-week paid summer internship with law firms across the country the summer before 1L.
Build a strong academic foundation
The SEO Law Institute provides structured training led by legal professionals to help participants prepare for classroom expectations and legal coursework.
Maintain momentum during 1L
Participants receive ongoing academic support, including tutoring and guidance on outlines, case briefs, and exam preparation throughout their first year.
Develop professional relationships early
Fellows become part of a national community of 2,300+ alumni including U.S. attorneys, general counsel, and senior legal leaders for long-term mentorship and career guidance.
SEO Law Institute
The Law Fellowship kicks off with the SEO Law Institute, a two-week pre-1L academic and professional training. During this renowned training program, you’ll work with professors from top law schools across the country on academic programming composed of three critical components: Legal Writing Seminars, Criminal Law Lecture, and Torts Lecture. For professional development sessions, external partners present workshops and panels on a variety of topics including technical and soft skills, professionalism, roles and structure of a law firm, transactional law, litigation law, partners’ perspective, pro bono work, and more.
How it works
The SEO Law Fellowship is a year-long program that integrates academic preparation, professional development, and practical experience.
Timeline
- May 2026 – August 2027
- Summer Internship: May 11, 2026 – July 17, 2026 (dates may vary slightly by firm)
- 1L Academic Support: August 2026 – May 2027
- Professional Support: October 2026 – August 2027
Eligibility
- All are invited to apply
- Must be admitted to an ABA-accredited law school for enrollment in the fall immediately following the Fellowship summer
- Must be authorized to work in the U.S. during the summer before law school (work authorization cannot be obtained through SEO)
- Academic Profile: Average LSAT 168 / Average undergraduate GPA 3.85
Information Sessions
- Attend an info session
- Join a live Q&A
Frequently Asked Questions
No, but you must have submitted at least one law school application by the time you apply for the Fellowship.
Only candidates starting law school in the fall immediately after their Fellowship summer are eligible for internships with our law firm partners. If you’re applying to law school in 2026, consider the SEO Law Catalyst!
All are invited to apply; however, eligibility requirements include consideration of GPA, test scores, work authorization, and graduation date.
At each step of your application, you’ll be prompted to provide updates on your law school application and admissions status. Please create a profile and visit the application portal for detailed information and instructions.
Please note that we won’t accept updated resumes submitted past the application deadline or accept updated scores submitted past February 2026.
Submit your law school enrollment form (proof of your seat deposit) after committing to a school: Update your “Law School Information” task with your final decision. This will generate a new task, “Law School Enrollment” in your portal where you can upload the required documents.
Partner with us
Our partners are some of the most renowned law firms in the country
Partner benefits include:
- Participation in the nation’s only summer associate program for incoming law students
- Access to talented students attending the top law school
- A training program that ensures excellent Fellow performance by providing students with training and networking opportunities — all before they begin their internships
- Lateral hiring opportunities with our alumni network of 2,300+ legal professionals
Become a partner and get access to the best incoming talent.
Email us at SEOLaw@seo-usa.org
