Pre-Law Engagement Opportunities

Registered Independent Organizations (RIOs) at UHM

Mānoa Scholars Club

• Gives students the opportunity to represent the best and brightest at UH Mānoa both academically and in character.
• A group of scholars who are active members in their community.
• Made for students who would like to carry a sense of pride and commitment as a Mānoa student.

Mānoa Student Ambassadors

• Mānoa Student Ambassadors are dedicated to the positive promotion of the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.
• Serve as liaisons between:
  • current UH Mānoa student community
  • prospective students, parents, alumni, and friends 
• Seek to enhance prospective students’ knowledge about the various student support services and programs offered at UH Mānoa
• Help share personal student experiences as a Rainbow Warrior.
• Represent UH Mānoa at University events, including Explore Mānoa.

Mānoa Pre-Law Association (MPLA)

• Provide members with the knowledge of the legal profession and the law school application process.
• Variety of activities
  • Education workshops
  • Organizational tours
  • Community service events
  • Major-specific internship opportunities
  • Social gathering events

Partnership for Social Justice

• A group of students who believe that change is possible and achievable.
• Seek to educate yourself and others.
• Promote pertinent proactive and interdisciplinary endeavors to work towards a healthier and more equitable future.

Public Administration Student Organization

• Foster educational collaboration and networking among members.
• Provide a platform for the exchange of ideas.
• Build professional relationships with the public service community in Hawai‘i.

Associated Students of the University of Hawaiʻi (ASUH)

• Undergraduate student government representing full-time, classified, undergraduate students at the Manoa Campus.
• Bring issues of the student body to the attention of university administration, faculty, staff, community groups, and government officials to implement change and improvements for the student body.

East-West Toastmasters

• Develop and grow – both personally and professionally
• Community of learners
• Build skills to express yourself in a variety of situations
• You’ll open up a world of new possibilities
  • Giving better work presentations
  • Leading meetings
  • Speaking more smoothly off the cuff
  • Handle one-on-one interactions with family, friends, and colleagues more positively

Honors Student Organization

• Student-run organization that serves as a liaison between students and the staff of the Honors Program.
• All students enrolled in the UHM Honors Program are automatically members of the HSO.
  • Highly encourage individuals to take an active role in our activities, some of which may fulfill the engagement opportunity requirement of the Honors Program curriculum.

Lead for America

• Non-profit that works to recruit, train, and place our country’s most outstanding young leaders to serve in paid two-year fellowships in their hometowns and home states
  • Especially in communities that are struggling to attract and retain talent

LSAC Prelaw Undergraduate Scholars (PLUS) Programs

• Each year, LSAC partners with law schools to prepare aspiring legal professionals for law school success. Through a unique immersive learning experience, the LSAC PLUS Program offers selected participants a window into what law school is really like while providing supportive insights about the law school enrollment journey
  • The PLUS Program is aimed towards undergraduate students from underserved communities who are applying to law school during the upcoming cycle.

SEO Law Fellowship

• Fellows complete extensive academic training and professional development through a 2-week training program, work as a summer associate before starting law school, and receive first year academic support.
  • Designed to support underserved students (underserved status may be based on an applicant's ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, immigration status, veteran status, disability, religious affiliation, socio-economic status, experience with the criminal justice system, experience with the child welfare system, status as a first-gen college or first-gen graduate student, etc.)

Hawaiian Electric Company (HECO) Summer Internship Program

• Annual Summer Internship Program for undergraduate students in their junior or senior year of university
• Gain firsthand experience in business and regulatory matters, which are highly beneficial for a career in law

Helping Hands Hawaiʻi (HHH)

• Non-profit organization that strives to connect individuals, families, and organizations in need with essential human and material resource. Information on qualifications for internship and application instructions here
• Students with a passion for nonprofit work and developing interpersonal and administrative skills should take advantage of this opportunity
• Interested in internship or practicum at HHH
  • AND currently majoring in a
    • Health
    • Behavioral health
    • Social science
    • Social work
    • Foreign language
    • Human resources
    • Accounting

Manoa Political Internship Program

• For dynamic, capable and ambitious UH Mānoa students, five political internships are available to complement academic and professional goals. These internships offer a rare opportunity to work at the top levels of government. Through meaningful hands-on work experiences, combined with an enriching academic program, students gain an up-close view of state and federal government and gain skills to advance their careers in a variety of fields

Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation

• NHLC hosts legal and undergraduate interns each summer, and regularly hosts students for short term service trips, pro bono projects, and externships throughout the year

Office of Senator Brian Schatz Internships

• Internships offer students a deeper understanding of public service, community concerns and priorities, and the legislative process.  Competitive candidates are strong writers with a positive attitude and excellent communication skills
• Internships are available in both the Washington, D.C. and Hawai‘i offices year-round. Undergraduate applicants must have completed at least one year of college at the time of their internship

UH Mānoa Undergraduate Political Internships

• Offering a series of political internships that will provide you with substantial experience in law
  • 10 Hawaii State Legislative Internships, 4 in Congress, 3 in the state executive offices
  • Stipend that covers 15 credits of in-state tuition and appropriate incidental costs of the internship

Surfrider Foundation

• Environmental law advocacy group that creates policy and engages in legal advocacy for environmental issues facing the oceans and beaches
• Offers university-level students internships at headquarters in San Clemente, CA
• For more information on how to apply for internship or career opportunities in California and possible fellowship with the Surfrider Foundation, click here

The Outdoor Circle

• Grassroots environmental law and policy firm in Honolulu
• Advocates for responsible land use and development while also supporting projects which have positive outcomes for local communities

Hawai‘i Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice

• Nonprofit law firm “working to build a more socially just Hawai‘i, where everyone has genuine opportunities to achieve economic security and fulfill their potential"
• Addresses issues such as housing, economic justice, hunger, education, and health care and conducts seminars and community engagement groups to support other public interest groups in Hawai’i
• Hosts three to six graduate and law students to conduct research on policy matters or investigate potential impact litigation relating to issues affecting low-income residents of Hawai’i

Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program

• Coordinates and promotes research opportunities for students in all disciplines at UHM
• Engage in faculty-mentored research and creative work

Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA)

• Allows individuals to advocate and get to know a foster child and use information gathered from the child’s parents and relatives, medical professionals, attorneys, and social workers to inform judges and others of what the child needs and what will be the best permanent home for them
• Excellent for any pre-law student interested in advocacy work, but especially beneficial for those with an interest in family law
• Read more about the requirements and role of being a CASA volunteer
  • Interested volunteers must pass a background check, participate in a 30-hour pre-service training course and agree to stay with a case until it is closed (1.5 years on average)

Domestic Violence Action Center (DVAC)

• Committed to ending domestic violence and other forms of abuse through leadership, prevention, legal services, individual and systemic advocacy, and social change work
• Engage in raising public awareness, community building, and participating in outreach to immigrant and ethnic communities
• Serve on the domestic violence legal helpline, administrative support, or other various outreach services
• Benefits student developing advocacy and policymaking skills, along with covering a wide array of legal areas including family, immigration, and criminal law

Helping Hands Hawaiʻi (HHH)

• Non-profit organization that strives to connect individuals, families, and organizations in need with essential human and material resource
• Students with a passion for nonprofit work and developing interpersonal and administrative skills should take advantage of this opportunity
• Interested in volunteering at the Nimitz Highway location may see more information on the application and available volunteer times here.

Keiki O Ka ʻĀina Family Learning Centers

• Mission is to “serve the educational needs of Hawaii’s families within the context of culturally competent education and family strengthening programs.”
• Specialized services include Native Hawaiian cultural enrichment programs, family literacy curriculum, and family wellness support
• Volunteering opportunities may encompass:
  • Child Care Provider Assistant
  • Classroom Support
  • Classroom Cleaning and Maintenance
  • Preschool Construction
  • Data Entry – Computer Work
  • Human Resources
  • Landscaping and Gardening Maintenance
  • Office Assistant
  • Parenting, Family, and Professional Development Workshop Speakers
  • Special Events and Fund Raising Projects

Legal Aid Society of Hawai‘i

• Non-profit, public-interest law firm with offices throughout the State. Legal Aid serves a client base that faces economic hardship and unequal access to justice
• Some practice areas that Legal Aid engages in are immigration law, housing, family law, and employment law

Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD)

• Non-profit advocacy group whose mission is “to aid the victims of crimes performed by individuals driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs”
• Engages in public outreach activities to heighten awareness of the problem of drinking and drugged driving
• Open to undergraduate volunteers who wish to participate in community advocacy programs, outreach efforts, office support duties, or act as a court monitor for DUI cases

Sultan Ventures

• Boutique venture firm focusing on early-stage startups and investments. Mission is to catalyze startup growth in Hawaii and startup hubs across the country
• Excellent opportunity for individuals who are interested in business law and entrepreneurship
• Highly motivated individuals who are interested in volunteering at Sultan Ventures should visit the website here

The Outdoor Circle

• Grassroots environmental law and policy firm in Honolulu
• Advocates for responsible land use and development while also supporting projects which have positive outcomes for local communities

Volunteer Legal Services Hawai‘i

• Nonprofit legal services provider for low and moderate-income communities through volunteer attorneys
• Provides legal services in a wide range of law fields, such as family law, estate planning (wills, trusts, advanced health care directives), bankruptcy, and veteran’s benefits.
• VLSH accepts undergraduate student volunteers for organizational projects such as administrative support, fundraising events, etc.

Volunteers in Public Service (VIPS)

• Facilitates volunteer opportunities for the Judiciary’s courts and programs on O‘ahu
• Great opportunity to observe the daily activities of the judiciary, acquaint yourself with valuable legal skills and procedures, and build relationships to help you develop your interest in the law
• As a volunteer, you may serve as a:
  • Case Aide
  • Bailiff Aide
  • Court Clerk Aide
  • Docent
  • Computer Operator
  • Clerical Aids