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Legal Internships in Panama 2026 — Pasantía & Trainee Positions
A Pasantía (legal internship) is the gateway to a successful legal career in Panama. Nearly every major firm and public institution offers structured internship programmes, and securing a top placement can define the trajectory of your career as an Abogado/a. This guide explains where to find Pasantías, what employers expect, and how to turn a trainee position into a permanent role.
Browse current internship and entry-level legal openings in Panama or set up alerts for trainee positions.
What Is a Pasantía?
In Panama's civil-law system, a Pasantía is a supervised work placement completed during or shortly after law school. Most Licenciatura en Derecho programmes at the Universidad de Panamá (UP), USMA, and Universidad Latina require students to complete between 6 and 12 months of practical training. While some Pasantías are unpaid, top firms increasingly offer stipends ranging from USD 300 – 800/month.
Where to Find Legal Pasantías
Top Law Firms
- Morgan & Morgan — Accepts interns across all departments; maritime and corporate are the most competitive placements.
- ARIFA — Offers structured rotational internships through admiralty, immigration, and IP teams.
- GALA — Banking-focused Pasantías with exposure to the SBP regulatory environment.
- Icaza González-Ruiz — Corporate and trust practice internships with significant drafting responsibilities.
- Patton Moreno & Asvat — IP and labour law placements popular among USMA graduates.
- DLA Piper Panamá — Cross-border transactional experience with potential for international secondments.
Public Sector & Government
- Panama Canal Authority (ACP) — Prestigious placements in procurement, environmental compliance, and admiralty.
- Ministerio Público — Criminal law and prosecution experience.
- Defensoría del Pueblo — Human rights and public-interest law exposure.
- Órgano Judicial — Judicial clerkships providing procedural-law training.
In-House Legal Departments
- Banco General / Banistmo — Compliance and regulatory internships.
- Copa Airlines — Aviation and commercial contract support.
- Colón Free Zone companies — Trade-law and customs Pasantías with international exposure.
Application Timeline
- January – March: Top firms open applications for mid-year (July start) Pasantías.
- July – September: Applications for January-start placements.
- Year-round: Some in-house and government placements accept rolling applications.
Start applying by your third year of law school — the most competitive firms fill positions months in advance.
What Employers Expect
- Academic standing: A GPA in the upper quartile of your class at UP, USMA, or Universidad Latina.
- Spanish fluency: All court filings and government interactions are in Spanish.
- English proficiency: Strongly preferred at international firms and banks — maritime practices essentially require it.
- Legal research skills: Comfort with Panamanian codes, jurisprudence databases, and legislative research.
- Professionalism: Business attire, punctuality, and respect for the hierarchical culture common in Panamanian firms.
Pasantía Compensation
- Top-tier firms: USD 500 – 800/month stipend
- Mid-size firms: USD 300 – 500/month or academic credit only
- Government placements: Usually unpaid but with strong career-advancement value
- In-house (banks, corporates): USD 400 – 700/month
Converting a Pasantía into a Full-Time Role
- Treat it like a long interview — Every assignment is an evaluation. Quality legal writing and initiative matter most.
- Express interest early — Inform your supervisor before the Pasantía ends that you are interested in a permanent position.
- Build relationships beyond your team — Attend firm events, volunteer for cross-departmental projects, and engage with partners.
- Complete your Licenciatura on time — Firms will not extend offers to candidates who delay graduation.
- Obtain your Idoneidad promptly — Begin the licensing process with the Supreme Court as soon as you graduate.
Maritime Pasantías — Panama's Unique Advantage
No other country in Latin America offers the depth of maritime-law internships available in Panama. Firms like Morgan & Morgan and ARIFA handle vessel arrests, flag-state compliance, and P&I club matters daily. A Pasantía in Derecho Marítimo gives you a globally portable skill set — many Panamanian maritime lawyers go on to practise in London, Singapore, and Houston.