How It Works

A Week In The Life

Each day of a Lex program follows a similar structure, but no day is the exactly same. Throughout the program, students visit a variety of different law firms, examine real cases in a global context, and build meaningful peer and professional networks. With guidance from a local Legal Associate (licensed attorneys practicing in the host country) students gain insight into the local legal system, participate in structured legal training sessions, and receive career-oriented training and mentorship, all while experiencing and exploring a new city.

Law Firm Experience

During an average program, Lex students are immersed into law firm offices, about 3 per week, each in a variety of practice areas. During each firm visit, Lex students meet with attorneys, learn directly from them about the nature of their work and specific area of legal practice, and answer the students’ questions.

The attorneys will then provide any pertinent background information the students need before presenting a real-world case, usually one the attorneys have worked on themselves, for the students to analyze with guidance from the Legal Associate. This offers students the unique opportunity to learn through real cases presented by the lawyers who argued them.

This also offers firsthand exposure to a wide range of legal practice areas, and helps students make well-educated decisions about their law school choices and legal careers.

(Pre-Law Focused) Law School Training

Some Lex Fellows describe the legal trainings as an immersive introduction to law school–level thinking. The goal of these sessions is to equip students with a strong legal foundation, meaningful exposure to how law is practiced internationally, and the tools needed to succeed in law school admissions and future legal careers.

Each Lex program is supported by a dedicated Legal Associate (a licensed attorney practicing in the host country) who provides ongoing guidance and leads in-country legal training. These sessions are tailored to the local legal system and focus on the areas of law students will encounter during firm and institutional visits, while also incorporating key U.S. legal fundamentals and comparative analysis between U.S. and host-country law.

Legal trainings include structured discussions of core legal concepts, essential legal terminology, comparative case analysis, and practical insights into legal practice abroad. Students also develop foundational skills in legal reasoning, writing, and research, with opportunities for feedback and discussion.

Beyond formal training sessions, extended learning opportunities reinforce these concepts through law firm visits, applied exercises, group discussions on relevant legal and public policy issues, and structured preparation for the law school application process, supported by online tools and application advisors.

Legal Excursions

A favorite of our students: once a week, Lex Fellows participate in Legal Excursions. These excursions could include visiting a courthouse or attending a trial - something related to the field of law that also gets students out and about in their host city while visiting a unique legal environment other than a law firm. Afterwards during training sessions students reflect on their experience with Legal Associate and how it connects to their future in law.

By exploring their host city, engaging with locals, and enjoying the delights and challenges of an immersive experience, Lex students also deepen and broaden their understanding of the culture that shapes the law.

Is Lex For You? Take the Quiz to Find Out.

We’ve built our highly acclaimed “Law Pre-Application Readiness Score” calculator to allow you to look at advice statements from pre-law experts and see to what extend you follow them.

What’s Included

Lex programs are robust in terms of the law firm exposure, legal training, and extended learning opportunities that prepare students for the law school admissions process and first year of law school. Housing accommodations, law firm visits, Legal Associate local to the host country, 24/7 on-site support staff, travel health insurance, cultural excursions, and more are included. View the full list here.

Dates

Lex programs run for 1–9 weeks over college breaks. Already have a job, vacation, or another pre-law activity in place during an upcoming break? No problem. We offer plenty of start dates and program lengths (see our locations & dates page) to make sure we find the best fit for your schedule. Don’t see your ideal dates or locations on our site? Reach out to us and explain your situation.

Application Process

If you are a serious pre-law student, we’d love to help you jumpstart your future in law. The first step is an online application, and the next stage in the process is a Discussion Call with a Lex representative, and usually a Lex alum (U.S. pre-law student).

Once accepted, our team will help you select a program that works for your schedule and location preferences. You can always apply now, or, if you’re not quite ready to apply, we can keep you updated as our programs open and close.