Legal Operations Intern

Summary:

Our team leads the integration of business strategy, innovation, and project management into the practice of law. Recognized by Law.com as the Best Business Team for innovation in Big Law, we are driving how large law firms deliver services more efficiently and effectively.

This internship offers an incredible opportunity to gain hands-on experience in legal operations. You’ll collaborate with senior professionals to help manage complex legal and business projects, ensuring operational excellence across the firm. As one of the largest law firms globally, Barnes & Thornburg’s Legal Operations team plays a crucial role in delivering top-tier service to major global companies.

Under the supervision of the Department Chief and a dedicated mentor, you will work on project-based assignments aligned with your field of study and the firm’s strategic priorities. This role provides invaluable real-world experience in the evolving field of legal operations.

Internship Eligibility: The BT R.I.S.E. Internship Program is designed to introduce students in specified fields of study to the day-to-day operations of a law firm. Candidate’s skill, knowledge, aptitude, and education will be considered during the selection process.

To be eligible candidates must be:

• Enrolled in either a 2 or 4 year degree program

• Entering their junior or senior year in Fall of 2027

• Available to participate for 10 consecutive weeks

Key Responsibilities:

• Project Coordination: Support the planning, execution, and tracking of legal and business projects, ensuring timelines and deliverables are met.

• Process Improvement: Identify opportunities for process optimization and propose solutions to enhance efficiency within the Legal Operations team.

• Data Analysis: Analyze project data and key performance indicators (KPIs) to provide insights and recommendations for ongoing projects.

• AI Solutions: Work with the firm’s approved AI tools to create and collaborate on AI solutions both for the business and legal sides of the firm.

• Attorney Collaboration: Work with attorneys to understand possible process and technology opportunities to assist with their clients and practices.

• Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Work internally within Legal Operations teams and externally with departments such as Finance, Marketing, and IT to collect insights, streamline workflows, and drive key initiatives forward.

• Project Documentation: Assist in maintaining comprehensive project documentation, including timelines, reports, and status updates to ensure stakeholders are informed.

• Presentation Skills: Prepare and present project status reports, highlighting key milestones, challenges, and results.

The intern must be able to perform all essential job duties and responsibilities of this position satisfactorily and as outlined, with or without reasonable accommodations. Reasonable accommodation requests may be accommodated, absent undue firm hardship.

Qualifications:

• Enrollment in an accredited undergraduate program, with a focus on Project Management, Business Administration, Operations, Informatics, Data Science, or a related field.

• Strong organizational and project management skills.

• Proficiency in AI solutions, Microsoft suite, and general project management software/tools.

• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate across departments.

• Strong problem-solving abilities and attention to detail.

• Ability to work independently and take initiative in a fast-paced environment.

This job description is intended to describe the general requirements of this position. As such, it is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of job duties or responsibilities required in this job. Subject to firm needs, duties and responsibilities of this position may change at any time, on a temporary or permanent basis, and with or without notice.

Working Conditions:

• Onsite work required.

• Normal office environment with little exposure to excessive noise, dust, temperature and the like.

• Specific work hours for this position will be assigned; generally, core business hours. The requirements may vary occasionally, depending on the needs of the firm.

The above is intended to describe the general content of and requirements for the performance of this job. It is not to be construed as an exhaustive statement of essential functions, responsibilities or requirements.

Equal Employment and Opportunity Statement:

Barnes & Thornburg is committed to equal employment opportunity in both principle and as a matter of policy. We will recruit, hire, train, promote, compensate and provide benefits to all applicants and employees without regard to ancestry, sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, gender, age, religion, religious creed, mental and/or physical disability, medical condition, military and/or veteran’s status, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state and local laws. This policy applies to all recruiting, hiring, promotions, upgrades, layoffs, compensation, benefits, terminations and all other privileges, terms and conditions of employment. The firm complies fully with all federal, state and local equal employment opportunity laws.