Advice for Employers and Recruiters
Why September is the best time to apply for and hire legal interns
Why September Is the Best Time to Apply for and Hire Legal Interns
The legal internship landscape transforms in September, marking the beginning of a crucial recruitment period. Drawing on insights from industry experts, this article explores why the ninth month of the year is optimal for both applying to and hiring legal interns. Discover how early action in September can lead to stronger opportunities and set the tone for a successful internship experience.
- September Kickstarts Legal Internship Recruitment Season
- Firms Align Intern Hiring with Litigation Calendars
- Early Applications Lead to Stronger Opportunities
- September Interns Experience Active Case Involvement
- Early Recruitment Ensures Smooth Onboarding Process
- Apply Early to Avoid Application Overload
- September Sets Tone for Entire Recruiting Cycle
- Fall Recruitment Secures Top Legal Talent
- September Start Maximizes Internship Learning Potential
September Kickstarts Legal Internship Recruitment Season
For students, it’s the moment when firms start mapping out who they’ll bring in for the fall and spring semesters. Employers are looking at resumes, interviewing, and trying to lock in talent before the competition heats up. If you wait until October or later, you’re often competing with dozens of applicants who have already been in the pipeline for weeks. From my experience running a large criminal defense firm, I’ve seen talented students miss opportunities simply because they didn’t submit their applications early.
For employers, starting in September gives them the luxury of reviewing candidates thoughtfully instead of rushing at the last minute. It also allows them to identify students who have genuine interest and aptitude for law rather than just those who are looking for a line on their resume. There’s an advantage to being early that goes beyond securing the best candidates. It sets the tone for a more meaningful internship experience and often leads to stronger long-term professional relationships. In legal circles, that early connection can define how a student’s career begins. Timing matters, and September is when the clock starts ticking.
Jonathan F. Marshall
Attorney, The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall
Firms Align Intern Hiring with Litigation Calendars
Having practiced law for 25 years and gone through the hiring process myself, September is when law firms finalize their litigation calendars for the following year. This is critical because firms can actually predict their staffing needs based on case loads they’ll be handling.
When I was building my practice in estate and probate law, I noticed September was when families started planning their year-end estate planning moves before tax deadlines. This created a surge in work that required additional help. Firms hire interns specifically to handle document preparation and research during these busy periods.
From my experience with asset protection cases, law firms also use September to evaluate which complex cases will need extended research support. I’ve seen firms bring on interns specifically because they knew certain insurance dispute cases would require months of document review. Students applying in September get matched to these substantial projects rather than just busy work.
The legal calendar operates differently from other industries — court schedules, tax deadlines, and client planning all converge in fall. Firms that wait until spring to hire often end up scrambling or paying premium rates for temporary help when they’re already in crisis mode.
Paul Deloughery
Attorney, Paul Deloughery
Early Applications Lead to Stronger Opportunities
September has always struck me as the smartest time to focus on legal internships. Recruiting during this period gives me the chance to meet candidates before the heavy rush later in the season. It allows me to slow down, carefully review applications, and have genuine conversations with students about their goals rather than just scanning through a stack of resumes.
Applying in September shows initiative, organization, and real commitment to building a legal career. Early applications often lead to stronger opportunities, closer mentorship, and a better chance to stand out from the crowd. In many ways, September is the month where preparation aligns with opportunity, setting the stage for long-term success in law.
Kathryn MacDonell
CEO, Trilby Misso Lawyers
September Interns Experience Active Case Involvement
It aligns with the actual rhythm of the work we do. In immigration and consumer law, this is when certain filing dates for adjustment of status come into play. After the summer, we often see an increase in disputes, complaints, and filings.
Interns starting in September can therefore jump in on active cases and learn how the system works from the inside. There’s more exposure and experience instead of just shadowing mid-cycle when most of the work is already underway. At that point, there’s less capacity to train or involve interns because attorneys need all their focus for the cases in progress.
Adam Dayan
Founder, Consumer Law Group, LLC
Early Recruitment Ensures Smooth Onboarding Process
Employers who recruit in September ensure they meet staffing needs well ahead of critical court deadlines or peak caseload periods. By onboarding interns earlier, employers can train them thoroughly before demanding projects arrive. Waiting until later in the semester can force rushed onboarding, which limits productivity.
Students also benefit from applying early. They can secure placements before employers’ schedules fill up and avoid missing out on opportunities that close quickly. By starting in September, students can gradually acclimate to the workplace while still managing coursework effectively.
This preparation benefits both sides. Employers build stronger teams, and students gain steady, meaningful exposure to the profession. September recruitment ensures smoother integration and higher long-term value.
Steven Rodemer
Owner and Attorney, Law Office of Rodemer & Kane DUI And Criminal Defense Attorney
Apply Early to Avoid Application Overload
Firms and in-house teams won’t advertise it, but their capacity to review applications diminishes rapidly as trial calendars and end-of-year closings approach. If you wait until November, it’s highly likely that your resume will be buried under 200 others. Therefore, you need to apply soon, preferably even before September, if you want a fair chance.
Firms will have more bandwidth to read your application and determine whether you align with their needs and cases. They’ll also be able to assign you something that’s a better fit for your skills, as opposed to handing you what’s available because it’s a rush to the end.
Riley Beam
Managing Attorney, Douglas R. Beam, P.A.
September Sets Tone for Entire Recruiting Cycle
September is a critical time for both employers and students when it comes to legal internships because it marks the start of the academic year and recruiting cycle.
For law firms, opening positions in September ensures access to the widest pool of candidates — students who are fresh from summer experiences and eager to secure opportunities early. It also allows firms to be selective before the most competitive candidates commit elsewhere.
From the student’s perspective, applying in September demonstrates initiative and ensures they’re considered before spots fill up. In my experience mentoring students at the University of Calgary’s Student Legal Assistance, those who apply early not only secure more interviews but also gain extra time to build relationships and tailor their skills to the firm’s needs.
Simply put, September sets the tone for the entire cycle — waiting too long often means missed opportunities on both sides.
Michael Oykhman
Founder/Senior Criminal Defence Lawyer, Strategic Criminal Defence
Fall Recruitment Secures Top Legal Talent
September is a critical time for one simple reason: it’s a preemptive strike in the war for talent. The most ambitious and organized law students — those who will one day make formidable trial lawyers — begin their search for summer positions the moment the academic year starts. If I wait until the spring to post an internship, the top candidates will have already been recruited by larger corporate firms or our competitors. By starting our recruitment process in September, we get ahead of the curve and put our firm’s mission in front of the best and brightest before their options become saturated.
For students, the logic is the same. Applying in the fall demonstrates foresight and a serious commitment to your career, which makes you a more attractive candidate. Securing a quality internship early in the school year is a massive strategic advantage. It allows you to focus on your grades and law school activities without the immense pressure of the job hunt hanging over your head. Essentially, September is the critical window where the most proactive students and the most strategic firms connect, setting the stage for a successful summer and a strong start to a legal career.
Chris Limberopoulos
Founder, The Florida Law Group
September Start Maximizes Internship Learning Potential
Starting internships in September gives employers the runway needed to integrate interns into their practice. Early recruits have more time to train, shadow, and develop practical skills that go beyond simple research assignments.
For students, this longer timeline means exposure to a wider variety of cases and legal processes. They can build stronger relationships with mentors and develop a deeper understanding of the profession.
Employers who miss this window often end up onboarding interns during peak workload periods, which limits the training and value both sides can gain. By September, schedules are steadier, making it an ideal entry point.
Justin Lovely
Owner, Lovely Law Firm Injury Lawyers
