# Summer Legal Institute

Free five-day legal immersion for grades 9-12 run by Just The Beginning in Chicago, Washington DC, Los Angeles, San Diego, and Seattle, taught by sitting judges, lawyers, and law students.

## Key facts

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Organization | Just The Beginning - A Pipeline Organization |
| Category | leadership |
| Cost | Free |
| Deadline | Rolling / check official site |
| Eligibility | Grades 9–12 |
| Format | Hybrid (in person + online) |
| Location | Chicago, IL |
| Apply | https://www.jtb.org/programs |

## About this program

# Summer Legal Institute

The Summer Legal Institute (SLI) is the cornerstone youth program of Just The Beginning - A Pipeline Organization, a nonprofit founded by federal judges to widen access to the legal profession. Each SLI is a five-day legal immersion hosted in a partner city, staffed by volunteer judges, attorneys, and law students from local courts and firms.

## What You'll Do

- Work through interactive, legal-focused workshops over five consecutive days
- Practice reading, legal writing, critical thinking, and public speaking on real case material
- Meet and work directly with sitting judges, practicing attorneys, and law students
- Cover professional etiquette and financial literacy alongside the legal content
- Continue with JTB's other free offerings: Middle School Law Camp, the virtual Law School 101 and ConnectED sessions, and the iLead Law & Leadership Conference

## Who Should Apply

High school students in grades 9-12, with the program aimed at young people from socioeconomic, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds underrepresented in the legal profession. Sites have recently run in Los Angeles, San Diego, Washington DC, Chicago, and Seattle; registration opens per-city through JTB's program schedule.

## Outcomes

JTB states its pipeline programs are 100% free to scholars. Participants finish with a working feel for courtroom practice, contacts among judges and lawyers in their own city, and access to JTB's continuing scholar programming through high school and college.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does Summer Legal Institute cost?

Summer Legal Institute is completely free — there is no participation fee. Costs like travel or optional materials may still apply; check the official site for details.

### Who is eligible for Summer Legal Institute?

Summer Legal Institute is open to high school students in grades 9–12. Some programs have additional requirements (GPA, coursework, essays, or recommendations) — the full criteria are on the official site.

### Is Summer Legal Institute online or in person?

Summer Legal Institute is a hybrid program with both online and in-person components (in-person portions in Chicago, IL).

### How do I apply to Summer Legal Institute?

Apply directly through Just The Beginning - A Pipeline Organization's official website. ExtracurricularHub links to the official application — we list and verify programs but don't process applications.

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Last updated: 2026-07-28.
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