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Summer Internship Opportunities

Volunteer Legal Intern Positions          Opportunities with United States Attorneys' Offices

VOLUNTEER LEGAL INTERN POSITIONS
Select the name of the component/office, or an underlined section within a component for details.

Participating Component / Office Location(s)
Antitrust Division Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Dallas, Atlanta, Cleveland and Chicago
Civil Division (brief description of various sections)  
Civil Division
         Appellate Staff
Washington, D.C., New York City, San Francisco.
Civil Rights Division Coordination and Review Section Washington, D.C.
Civil Rights Division (various sections) Washington, D.C.
Criminal Division (brief description of various sections)  
Criminal Division
         Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section
         Domestic Security Section
         Obscenity Prosecution Task Force
         Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance
            and Training (OPDAT)
         Office of Special Investigations
Washington, D.C.
Drug Enforcement Administration Washington, D.C.
Environment and Natural Resources Division Washington, D.C., Denver, San Francisco, Sacramento, Boston, Seattle
         Environmental Enforcement Section Washington, D.C.
         San Francisco Field Office San Francisco, CA
Executive Office for Immigration Review Immigration Courts nationwide Washington, D.C., Falls Church, VA
Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys
         Freedom of Information and Privacy Staff
Washington, D.C.
Federal Bureau of Prisons Washington, D.C.
National Security Division
         Office of Law and Policy
Washington, D.C.
Office of the Federal Detention Trustee Washington, D.C.
Office of Justice Programs
         Office of Civil Rights
Washington, D.C.
Office of Legal Policy Washington, D.C.
Office of the Pardon Attorney Washington, D.C.
Office of Professional Responsibility Washington, D.C.
Office of the Solicitor General Washington, D.C.
Office of Tribal Justice Washington, D.C.
Professional Responsibility Advisory Office Washington, D.C.
Tax Division
         Civil Trial Sections/Civil Appellate Section
         Criminal Enforcement Sections
Washington, D.C.
United States Marshals Service
         Office of General Counsel
Washington, D.C.
United States Trustee Program Washington, D.C.

OPPORTUNITIES WITH UNITED STATES ATTORNEYS' OFFICES

Alabama

         Middle District Montgomery
         Northern District Birmingham, Huntsville
District of Alaska Anchorage, Fairbanks
California  
         Central District  
                  Civil Division Los Angeles
                  Criminal Division Los Angeles, Santa Ana, Riverside
                  Tax Division Los Angeles
                  Riverside Branch Office Riverside
         Eastern District  
                  Fresno Branch Office Fresno
                  Civil Division Sacramento
                  Criminal Division Sacramento
         Northern District  
                  Oakland Branch Office Oakland
         Northern District  
                  Civil and Civil Environment San Francisco
                  Criminal San Francisco
                  San Jose Branch Office San Jose
         Southern District San Diego
District of Colorado Denver
District of Columbia Washington, D.C.
District of Connecticut Bridgeport, Hartford, New Haven
District of Delaware Wilmington
Florida  
         Middle District Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Ocala, Ft. Meyers
         Southern District Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm Beach
Georgia  
         Northern District Atlanta
         Southern District Savannah and Augusta
District of Hawaii Honolulu
District of Idaho Boise, Coeur d'Alene, and Pocatello
Illinois
         Southern District

Fairview Heights, Benton
Indiana

         Southern District Indianapolis, Evansville
Louisiana
         Eastern District New Orleans
         Middle District Baton Rouge
         Western District Shreveport, Lafayette
District of Maine Portland, Bangor
District of Maryland Baltimore, Greenbelt
Michigan
 
         Eastern District Detroit, Bay City, Flint
         Western District Grand Rapids
District of Minnesota Minneapolis
Missouri
 
         Eastern District St. Louis, Cape Girardeau
         Western District Kansas City
District of Montana Billings, Great Falls, Helena, and Missoula
District of New Hampshire Concord
District of New Jersey

Camden
Newark
Trenton

District of New Mexico Albuquerque, Las Cruces
New York
         Eastern District  
            Civil Division Brooklyn, Central Islip
            Criminal Division Brooklyn, Central Islip
         Northern District Binghamton
         Northern District Syracuse
         Western District Buffalo
         Western District Rochester
North Carolina

         Western District Charlotte, Asheville
Ohio

         Northern District Cleveland, Akron
Oklahoma

         Eastern District Muskogee
         Northern District Tulsa
District of Oregon Portland
Pennsylvania  
         Eastern District Philadelphia
         Western District Pittsburgh
District of Puerto Rico San Juan
District of Utah Salt Lake City
Tennessee  
         Eastern District Chattanooga, Greenville, Johnson City, Knoxville
         Middle District Nashville
Texas  
         Eastern District Beaumont, Tyler, Plano, Sherman, Lufkin
         Northern District Dallas
         Southern District Houston, Laredo, Brownsville, Corpus Christi, McAllen
         Western District San Antonio, Austin, El Paso, Waco
Virginia  
         Eastern District Alexandria
         Eastern District Newport News
         Eastern District Norfolk
         Eastern District Richmond
         Western District Roanoke, Charlottesville, and Abingdon
Washington

         Western District Seattle
West Virginia

         Northern District Wheeling, Clarksburg, Elkins, and Martinsburg

ANTITRUST DIVISION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

601 D Street NW, Suite 1213
Washington, D.C. 20530
Attn: Edward Law
Telephone: (202) 514-2469
Fax: (202) 514-0580
E-mail: ATR.PERSONNEL@USDOJ.GOV (Application by e-mail preferred.)
The Antitrust Division is responsible for enforcing federal laws designed to ensure that our nation's markets are free and open to robust competition. The Division engages in both civil and criminal litigation, and its work ranges over the entire spectrum of the U.S. economy. The Division has in recent years focused on prosecution of large international cartels involving multinational firms and Fortune 500 firms.
Projected No. of Volunteers: 20
Internship Location(s): Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Dallas, Atlanta, Cleveland, Chicago
Application Materials: Please submit a cover letter (including dates and geographic preference, resume, law school transcript (official or unofficial), and writing sample. Please attach the above material in an E-mail and forward it to the attention of Ed Law at ATR.PERSONNEL@USDOJ.GOV
Qualifications: First-year (second semester only), second- or third-year law students.
Application Deadline: Summer - March 31st
Fall - July 31st
Spring - November 30th
Minimum Weeks Required: 6 weeks
Salary: Volunteer (without compensation). Course credit is available depending on school requirements.
Assignments: Assist in trials and hearings; review documents; prepare legal memoranda and briefs; attend depositions; work closely with attorneys conducting investigations; present legal research in a group setting; prepare assistance requests to foreign governments; conduct interviews of national and international subjects.
Web Site: http://www.usdoj.gov/atr
The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.

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CIVIL DIVISION INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Volunteer internship opportunities are offered in each of the six Civil Division Branches. Interns will be assigned to work in one of the following areas: Appellate Staff; Office of Consumer Litigation; Commercial Litigation Branch; Federal Programs Branch; Office of Immigration Litigation; or the Torts Branch. The functions and responsibilities of each of the six branches are listed below. Additional information can be found on the Department's website at http://www.usdoj.gov/civil.
APPELLATE STAFF

The Appellate Staff is responsible for the appellate work of the entire Civil Division. Thus, the Appellate Staff caseload includes cases from all of the Division's Branches and Offices. The Staff also handles the many cases that are appealed directly from administrative agencies to the courts of appeals. Attorneys on the Staff draft briefs and orally argue cases in the courts of appeals. In addition, each attorney participates in drafting various documents for the United States Supreme Court, including petitions for certiorari and briefs on the merits in Civil Division cases.
OFFICE OF CONSUMER LITIGATION

The Office of Consumer Litigation enforces federal consumer protection laws and defends federal agencies that administer those laws (e.g., food and drug laws, including generic drug manufacturing and tobacco product advertising, and product safety laws). Among the Office's client agencies are the Food and Drug Administration, the Federal Trade Commission, the Consumer Product Safety Commission, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The office attorneys handle civil and criminal cases at both the trial and appellate levels.
COMMERCIAL LITIGATION

The largest branch in the Division, the Commercial Litigation Branch handles cases that involve billions of dollars in claims both by and against the government. The Branch prosecutes claims for the recovery of monies fraudulently secured or improperly diverted from the United States Treasury. It defends the country's international trade policy, and defends and asserts the government's contract and patent rights. In addition, the Branch protects the government's financial and commercial interests under foreign treaties. The Branch's workload falls into five major areas: Corporate/Financial Litigation; Civil Frauds; Intellectual Property; Litigation in the National Courts; and Foreign Litigation.
FEDERAL PROGRAMS BRANCH

The Federal Programs Branch litigates on behalf of approximately 100 federal agencies, the President and Cabinet officers, and other government officials. The activities of this Branch include defending against constitutional challenges to federal statutes, suits to overturn government policies and programs, and attacks on the legality of government decisions. The Branch also initiates litigation to enforce regulatory statutes and to remedy statutory and regulatory violations.
OFFICE OF IMMIGRATION LITIGATION

The Office of Immigration Litigation has jurisdiction over all civil immigration litigation, and is responsible for the nationwide coordination of immigration matters before the federal district courts and circuit courts of appeals. The Office has both affirmative and defensive litigation responsibilities, and its attorneys work closely with United States Attorneys' offices on immigration cases. The Office of Immigration Litigation provides support and counsel to all federal agencies involved in the admission, regulation, and removal of aliens under our immigration and nationality statutes, as well as related areas of border enforcement and national security.
TORTS BRANCH

The Torts Branch represents the interests of the United States, including its officers and agents, in suits where monetary judgments are sought for damages resulting from negligent or wrongful acts. The Branch also handles actions involving injury or damage to government property. The attorneys employed by the Torts Branch are divided among four different sections: Aviation and Admiralty Litigation; Federal Tort Claims Act Litigation; Environmental Tort Litigation; and Constitutional and Specialized Tort Litigation.
CIVIL DIVISION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Personnel Management Branch
P.O. Box 14660, Ben Franklin Station
Washington, D.C. 20044-4660
ATTN: Meghan Killiany, Intern Coordinator
Telephone: (202) 307-0261
Fax: (202) 514-7968
Email: Civil.personnel@usdoj.gov (Application via e-mail highly preferred)
The Civil Division represents the United States, its departments and agencies, Members of Congress, Cabinet officers and other federal employees in a wide range of civil litigation that spans the spectrum of government activities. Each year, Division attorneys handle thousands of cases that collectively involve billions of dollars in claims and recoveries, as well as significant policy and constitutional issues. The Civil Division is the largest legal division (outside of the U.S. Attorneys’ Offices) within the Department, employing 1,100 attorneys and support staff throughout six litigating branches. The Civil Division Branches are briefly described in the internet listing (http://www.usdoj.gov/oarm/arm/int/internsum08.htm#civil_des).
Projected No. of Volunteers: 70
Internship Location(s): Washington, D.C.; New York City; and San Francisco. The vast majority of internships are located in Washington, DC.
Application Materials: Cover letter, resume, transcript (official or unofficial), brief writing sample, and preferred location(s).
Qualifications: First-year (second semester) and second-year law students.
Application Deadline: Open until filled. The majority of summer internships will be filled by April 14, 2008.
Minimum Weeks Required: 6 weeks
Salary: Volunteer (without compensation) or work-study credit.
Assignments: Interns research, write, and develop draft motions, briefs, and discovery; attend depositions, moot court and oral arguments; perform legal research; and assist attorneys in all phases of trial preparation and at trial.
Web Site: http://www.usdoj.gov/civil
The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer
CIVIL DIVISION/APPELLATE STAFF
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

950 Penn. Ave. NW, Room 7519
Washington, D.C. 20530
ATTN: Matthew Collette or Mark Freeman
Matthew.Collette@usdoj.gov
Mark.Freeman2@usdoj.gov (note the “2")
The Appellate Staff prepares appellate briefs in all circuit courts of appeals and presents oral arguments in most of these cases. The Staff also prepares recommendations for or against further review in cases the government loses in the district courts or courts of appeals. In addition, the Staff prepares draft certiorari petitions, briefs in opposition to certiorari petitions and Supreme Court merits briefs for the Solicitor General’s office. The Civil Division’s subject matter covers a wide variety of areas, including separation of powers, First Amendment, representation of individuals charged with constitutional violations of a person’s rights (Bivens cases), administrative law, False Claims Act cases, Freedom of Information Act/Privacy Act cases, medicare and social security cases, communications issues, Prison Litigation Reform Act, Federal Tort Claims Act and welfare reform.
Projected No. of Volunteers: 4 - 5
Internship Location(s): Washington, D.C.
Application Materials: Resume, writing sample, and law school transcript (official or unofficial), if available. Materials can be sent by e-mail.
Qualifications: Students who have completed one year of law school (for summer internships), and second- or third-year law students (for all internships). Students must have excellent writing skills and high academic standing.
Application Deadline: Open until filled.
Minimum Weeks Required: 8 weeks
Salary: Volunteer (without compensation) or work-study credit only.
Assignments: Interns typically perform research, write memoranda and prepare initial drafts of appellate briefs. The research often entails searching legislative history to aid in statutory interpretation issues, and may also include searching specialized libraries, the National Archives or the Library of Congress. In addition, interns are encouraged to participate in moot courts of staff attorneys and attend oral arguments in the District of Columbia and Federal Circuits. Every effort is made to ensure that student internships include as many aspects of our work as possible with an emphasis on writing. Interns work with a number of staff attorneys and receive feedback on their work.
Web Site: http://www.usdoj.gov/civil
The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION
COORDINATION AND REVIEW SECTION

Fax: (202) 305-9667
E-mail: crd.vacancies@usdoj.gov (Subject Line: Volunteer Internship, COR)
The Civil Rights Division is the agency of the Federal Government primarily responsible for enforcing federal statutes and Executive Orders that prohibit unlawful discrimination. The Division is the program institution within the Federal Government responsible for enforcing federal statutes prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, sex, handicap, religion, and national origin.
Projected No. of Volunteers: 2 - 4
Internship Location(s): Washington, D.C.
Application Materials:

Submit a resume (which includes your country of citizenship), a brief writing sample (no more than 5 pages), and a cover letter which indicates the time period you are available to work by one of the two following means:

Fax: (202) 305-9667
Attention: Volunteer Internship, COR

E-mail: crd.vacancies@usdoj.gov
Subject line: Volunteer Internship, COR

Qualifications: First-year (second semester), second- and third-year law students.
Application Deadline: Application decisions are made on a rolling basis.
Spring applications must be received by November 28, 2008
Summer applications must be received by March 31, 2008
Fall applications must be received by July 31, 2008
Minimum Weeks Required: Flexible
Salary: Volunteer (without compensation).
Assignments: Interns are primarily responsible for assisting attorneys working on matters related to Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, and national origin in federally assisted programs or activities, and Executive Order 13166, which focuses on limited English proficiency matters as related to national origin discrimination in federally assisted and federally conducted programs and activities. The Coordination and Review Section focuses on non-litigation enforcement of these and other nondiscrimination statutes and Executive Orders, including Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Intern assignments may include assisting in administrative investigations of recipients receiving federal financial assistance from the Department of Justice, and development of implementing regulations, policy guidance documents, legal manuals, and training materials.
Web Site: www.usdoj.gov/crt/cor
The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.
CIVIL RIGHTS DIVISION (VARIOUS SECTIONS)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

Civil Rights Division – Volunteer Internship
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Room 5086, NYA Building
Washington, D.C. 20530
ATTN: Volunteer Internship Coordinator
Fax: (202) 305-9667
E-mail: crd.vacancies@usdoj.gov (Subject Line: Volunteer Internship)
The Civil Rights Division is the principal federal agency charged with enforcing federally-protected civil and constitutional rights. The Division’s mission comprises two prongs: (1) vigorous enforcement of the criminal laws prohibiting civil rights abuses, including “color of law” violations by state officers, trafficking in humans, conspiracy to violate federally protected rights, and criminal interference with housing rights; and (2) defending individuals’ federal civil rights through a panoply of means including civil litigation, consent orders, settlements, technical assistance, public outreach, and education programs.
Projected No. of Volunteers: 20
Internship Location(s): Washington, D.C.
Application Materials: Submit a resume (which includes your country of citizenship), brief writing sample (no more than 5 pages), and a cover letter which indicates the time period you are available to work.
Qualifications: First-year (second semester), second- and third-year law students.
Application Deadline: Application decisions are made on a rolling basis.
Summer applications must be received by March 31, 2008
Fall applications must be received by July 31, 2008
Spring applications must be received by November 28, 2008
Minimum Weeks Required: 8 weeks
Salary: Volunteer (without compensation)
Assignments: Interns are primarily responsible for assisting Division attorneys or senior specialists in legal research, preparing documents, interviewing, summarizing depositions, analyzing records, and other case-related work.
Web Site: http://www.usdoj.gov/crt
The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.

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CRIMINAL DIVISION INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Volunteer internship opportunities are offered in most of the 15 Criminal Division Branches. Although students cannot be guaranteed placement within the area of their choice, they may express interest in a particular component. The functions and responsibilities of each of the 15 Branches are listed below. Additional information can be found on the Department’s web site at http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/

Appellate Section: Prepares briefs and argues Division cases in courts of appeals, and drafts briefs and certiorari petitions for the Solicitor General for filing in the U.S. Supreme Court.

Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section: Prosecutes violations of federal law involving child sexual exploitation, child sexual abuse, sex trafficking, obscenity, international parental kidnaping and child pornography.

Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section: Litigates cases and coordinates international efforts to combat cyberattacks and other computer crime.

Capital Case Unit: Advises senior Department officials in the decision whether to seek the death penalty in federal capital cases, and provides guidance and assistance to Assistant U.S. Attorneys in federal capital cases.

Counterterrorism Section: Responsible for the design, implementation, and support of law enforcement efforts, legislative initiatives, policies and strategies relating to combating international and domestic terrorism; assists in preventing and disrupting acts of terrorism which may occur anywhere in the world which impact on significant United States interests and persons through investigation and prosecution.

Domestic Security Section: Enforces federal criminal laws relating to complex immigration and border crimes, international human rights violations, and certain federal crimes of violence committed outside the United States; designs, implements, and supports law enforcement efforts, legislative initiatives, policies and strategies relating to these areas.

Fraud Section: Conducts grand jury investigations and prosecutions of fraud and white collar crime cases.

Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section: Responsible for litigation in investigations and prosecutions targeting national and international narcotics trafficking and money laundering.

Organized Crime and Racketeering Section: Coordinates Department’s program to combat organized crime and supervises, as well as conducts, the prosecution of organized crime cases.

Office of Enforcement Operations: The International Prisoner Transfer Unit (IPTU) is the central authority of international prisoner transfer. The Unit evaluates each application to determine whether the proposed transfer meets with the criteria of the relevant treaty, would promote the rehabilitation of the applicant, and is otherwise in the national interest of the United States.

Office of International Affairs: Provides guidance to federal state and local prosecutors regarding questions of foreign and international law and coordinates all international evidence gathering.

Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training: Develops and implements criminal law assistance programs that enhance the ability of selected foreign countries to investigate, prosecute and adjudicate criminal offenses effectively, competently and fairly, and to cooperate more fully with the U.S. to combat transnational crime.

Office of Policy and Legislation: Coordinates the development of the Division’s legislative agenda and analyzes crime policy and program issues.

Office of Special Investigations: Takes legal action to exclude, denaturalize and/or deport individuals who took part in Nazi-sponsored acts of persecution abroad before & during World War II

Public Integrity Section: Oversees federal effort to combat corruption through the prosecution of elected and appointed public officials.

CRIMINAL DIVISION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

1400 New York Avenue, Suite 5000
Washington, D.C. 20530
ATTN: Shanita Barber, Intern Program Coordinator
Telephone: (202) 616-1830 or (202) 514-2811
Fax: (202) 353-0775
E-mail: Crm.volunteers@usdoj.gov
The Criminal Division develops, enforces and exercises general oversight for all federal criminal laws, except those that are specifically assigned to other Divisions. Current areas of expertise include counter-terrorism, international narcotics trafficking, corporate fraud, obscenity and child pornography, alien smuggling, and election crime. The Division coordinates the Department’s effort on the war on terrorism, national security and other sensitive matters; advises the Attorney General on matters concerning criminal policy and legislative tools, such as correspondent banking subpoenas, attorney fee forfeitures, and Title III wiretaps; facilitates relationships with foreign counterparts; provides leadership for coordinating federal-state-local law enforcement relationships; and supervises certain civil litigation. All 15 Criminal Division Branches are briefly described in the internet listing (http://www.usdoj.gov/oarm/arm/int/internsum08.htm#criminal_des).
Projected No. of Volunteers: 80
Internship Location(s): Washington, D.C.
Application Materials: Please submit a resume together with cover letter, transcript (official or unofficial), three references, and a writing sample of not more than 5 pages.
Qualifications: First-year (second semester), second- and third-year law students. Law school graduates are not eligible for summer positions. Second language and background or experience in criminal law and/or international criminal law are desirable. Students with a general knowledge of criminal law and related statutes and regulations preferred.
Application Deadline: Summer 2008: January 1 – February 15, 2008
Fall Semester 2008: April 1 – May 1, 2008
Spring Semester 2008: August 1 – September 1, 2007
Minimum Weeks Required: 8 weeks (minimum)
6 months (maximum)
Salary: Volunteer (without compensation) or work-study credit only.
Assignments: Research, writing and developing drafts. Analyzing complicated questions of criminal law which may involve considerable research in the preliminary stages of prosecution. Reviewing proposed legislation affecting the criminal justice system, evaluating as to legality, conflicting past enactments of law, jurisdictional interpretation, application and practicality. Reviewing, analyzing, organizing and summarizing documents in support of litigation.
Web Site: http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal
The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.

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CRIMINAL DIVISION
CHILD EXPLOITATION AND OBSCENITY SECTION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

1400 New York Avenue, N.W., 6th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20530
ATTN: Bonnie L. Kane
Fax: (202) 514-1793
E-mail: bonnie.kane@usdoj.gov
The Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) prosecutes those who possess, manufacture, receive or distribute child pornography; those who sell, buy, or transport women and children interstate or internationally to engage in sexually explicit conduct; those who travel interstate or internationally to sexually abuse children; those who abuse children on federal and Indian lands; those who do not pay certain court ordered child support payments; those who transport obscene materials in interstate or foreign commerce; and international parental abduction. CEOS attorneys assist in 93 United States Attorneys’ Offices (USAOs) in investigations, trials and appeals related to these offenses.
Projected No. of Volunteers: 4
Internship Location(s): Washington, D.C.
Application Materials: Cover letter, resume, transcript, and writing sample (please e-mail or fax).
Qualifications: Second- and third-year law students with excellent academic credentials, good writing skills, and a strong interest in criminal law. Prior to finalizing an appointment as a volunteer/work-study legal intern, all interns are required to undergo a security check, which includes a name and fingerprint clearance by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and a determination of suitability for employment based on the information a candidate provides in the security form.
Application Deadline:

Positions are open until filled
Spring semester: Positions are typically filled in October of prior year
Summer: Positions are typically filled in February
Fall semester: Positions are typically filled in May

Minimum Weeks Required: 8 weeks or more (10 + preferred)
Salary: Volunteer (without compensation) or work-study credit.
Assignments: Legal interns work directly with the Section’s trial attorneys on a variety of assignments, ranging from conducting legal research and writing to assisting in investigations and prosecutions of child exploitation and obscenity offenses.
Web Site: http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/ceos
The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
CRIMINAL DIVISION
DOMESTIC SECURITY SECTION
950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Room 6746
Washington, D.C. 20530
ATTN: Legal Internships
E-mail: dssjobs@usdoj.gov
The mission of the Domestic Security Section (DSS) is to enhance the security of our nation’s citizens and borders by enforcing federal criminal laws relating to complex immigration and border crimes, international human rights violations, and certain federal crimes of violence committed outside the United States. The Section investigates and prosecutes cases involving international criminal travel networks, particularly those that pose potential national security threats. DSS is additionally responsible for the investigation and prosecution of select torture, genocide, and war crime cases, and certain overseas crimes of violence, including those arising under the Military Extraterritorial Jurisdiction Act. Aside from its operational work, DSS designs, implements, and supports law enforcement efforts, legislative initiatives, policies and strategies relating to these areas.
Projected No. of Volunteers: Up to 6
Internship Location(s): Washington, D.C.
Application Materials: Please submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample (not to exceed 10 pages), transcript (official or unofficial), three references, and hours and days available via both email and mail.
Qualifications: Rising second- and third-year law students. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and will be subject to a background investigation due to the sensitive nature of the work performed by the office. Foreign language proficiency, particularly in Spanish, is helpful but not required.
Application Deadline: Applicants for summer legal internships will be accepted from December 1 until March 1 prior to the internship summer. Because interviews are scheduled on a rolling basis beginning as early as January 1, applicants are encouraged to submit applications as early as possible.
Minimum Weeks Required: 8 weeks
Salary: Volunteer (without compensation) or work-study credit only.
Assignments: For investigations and prosecutions, interns can expect substantial legal research and writing assignments in the areas of international, criminal, and immigration law. Interns will also conduct factual research, review and organize documents, and work on policy matters.
Web Site: http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/dss/
The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
CRIMINAL DIVISION
OBSCENITY PROSECUTION TASK FORCE
1301 New York Avenue, N.W., Suite 500
Washington, D.C. 20530
ATTN: Brent D. Ward, Director or Elizabeth.Rieser-Murphy@usdoj.gov
Fax: (202) 307-2217
E-mail: Elizabeth.Rieser-Murphy@usdoj.gov
The Obscenity Prosecution Task Force (OPTF) works with the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS) of the Criminal Division and is responsible for cases involving, among other things: federal obscenity crimes, especially those offenses committed by use of the Internet. The section advises the Assistant Attorney General, Criminal Division, Department of Justice and other federal officials on all matters related to federal obscenity law enforcement, including proposed and enacted legislation, policy, enforcement initiatives, and criminal and civil litigation. The section has direct litigation responsibilities in significant and large-scale investigations and prosecutions targeting offenders in the criminal law enforcement areas detailed above.

OPTF Trial Attorneys prosecute the criminal offenses listed above. In particular, OPTF Trial Attorneys handle cases involving the production, importation, sale, distribution, and transportation of obscene material by any means, including the Internet, mail, common carrier and broadcast media, as well as engaging in the business of the same and related offenses. Related offenses include child pornography, tax, racketeering and money laundering offenses. Forfeiture of assets is frequently sought by the government in these cases. These cases are developed through innovative investigative and forensic techniques employed by OPTF and CEOS computer forensic specialists and federal law enforcement agents. Because these cases involve the application of cutting-edge computer technologies, both in the criminal conduct and its investigation, OPTF Trial Attorneys regularly face novel and challenging legal issues.
Projected No. of Volunteers: 4
Internship Location(s): Washington, D.C.
Application Materials: Cover letter (including date available), resume, law school transcript (official or unofficial), and a writing sample.
Qualifications: Applicants should have a strong interest in criminal law and have strong writing and communication skills. In addition, applicants must have completed at least one semester of law school.
Application Deadline: Positions are open until filled.
Spring semester: November 1
Summer: March 1
Fall semester: August 1
Minimum Weeks Required: 8 weeks or more
Salary: Volunteer (without compensation) or work-study credit only.
Assignments: The OPTF Legal Intern will support the attorneys on staff by conducting legal research using Lexis-Nexis and Westlaw, analyzing legal data, and preparing legal memoranda.
Web Site: http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/optf/
The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.

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CRIMINAL DIVISION
OFFICE OF OVERSEAS PROSECUTORIAL DEVELOPMENT, ASSISTANCE
     
AND TRAINING (OPDAT)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

10th & Pennsylvania Aves., N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20530

ATTN: William H. Lantz, Jr., Assistant to the Director
Telephone: (202) 514-1323
Fax: (202) 616-8429
E-mail: william.lantz@usdoj.gov
OPDAT creates and administers technical and developmental assistance designed to enhance the capabilities of foreign justice sector institutions and their law enforcement personnel, so those institutions and their personnel can more effectively combat terrorism, organized crime, corruption, financial crimes, trafficking in persons and other types of crime, in a manner consistent with the rule of law, and can more effectively cooperate regionally and with the United States in combating such crimes.
Projected No. of Volunteers: 3
Internship Location(s): Washington, D.C.
Application Materials: Resume, academic standing, dates when available, and note any language skills (Spanish, French, Russian, Arabic, or Chinese language fluency is desired.)
Qualifications: First-year (second semester) and second-year law students; full-time International or Comparative Law LL.M. candidates who are not employed while pursuing their advanced degree.
Application Deadline: Open until filled.
Minimum Weeks Required: 10 weeks
Salary: Volunteer (without compensation)
Assignments: Interns will work closely with headquarters and field attorneys and professional staff to strengthen foreign justice sector institutions; to assist experts prepare for their overseas criminal justice assistance missions; and to research and compile data to assist attorneys involved in results-based assistance activities. Law students who are interested in comparative criminal law and procedure and who wish to help create more responsive and responsible criminal justice systems in Africa and the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Eurasia are encouraged to apply. The ideal candidate thrives in a collaborative work environment, possesses strong research and writing skills, and has experienced foreign cultures.
Web Site: http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/opdat/
The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.

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CRIMINAL DIVISION
OFFICE OF SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

10th and Constitution, N.W.
Suite 200
Washington, D.C. 20530
ATTN: Internship Coordinator
Since its creation in 1979, the Office of Special Investigations (OSI) has been responsible for detecting, investigating and taking legal action to denaturalize and/or deport persons who took part in Nazi-sponsored acts of persecution committed abroad during the period 1933-45 and, since December 2004, also for detecting, investigating and taking legal action to denaturalize persons who participated abroad in acts of genocide or in acts of torture or extrajudicial killings committed under color of foreign law.
Projected No. of Volunteers: 3
Internship Location(s): Washington, D.C.
Application Materials: Resume, writing sample, transcript (official or unofficial), and, for Spring and Fall interns, hours and days available.
Qualifications: First-year (second semester), second- and third-year law students.
Application Deadline: Summer legal internships: Applicants for summer legal internships will be accepted from December 1 until January 15 prior to the internship summer. Because interviews are scheduled on a rolling basis beginning as early as January 1, early applications are helpful. Semester-based legal internships: Applications for a semester-based legal internship will be accepted until three months in advance of the intended start date. Because interviews are scheduled on a rolling basis, early applications are helpful.
Minimum Weeks Required: 10 weeks
Salary: Volunteer (without compensation) or work-study credit only.
Assignments: Interns can expect substantial legal research and writing assignments. There are also opportunities to assist trial attorneys with litigation-related tasks.
Web Site: http://www.usdoj.gov/criminal/links/osi.html
The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.

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DRUG ENFORCEMENT ADMINISTRATION
OFFICE OF CHIEF COUNSEL

Washington, D.C. 20537
 
ATTN:
Telephone:
Fax:
E mail:
Ann Boehm
(202) 307-8020
(202) 307-3603
Ann.M.Boehm@usdoj.gov (Applications by e-mail preferred)

The Drug Enforcement Administration’s (DEA) Office of Chief Counsel provides legal services and guidance to all components of DEA for all matters that may arise in the conduct of DEA missions to enforce the controlled substances laws and regulations of the United States while serving and protecting the public. The office assists DEA in its decision making capacity by analyzing the legal implications in policy decisions, advising and training DEA personnel worldwide on criminal, civil, international, intelligence, and regulatory issues, reviewing proposed legislation and regulations, and representing DEA in civil and administrative litigation.

Projected No. of Volunteers: 5
Internship Location(s): 600 Army Navy Drive, Arlington, Virginia 22202 (Pentagon City)
Application Materials:

Cover letter (dates when available), resume, transcript (official or unofficial), writing sample, and DEA Drug Questionnaire (see NOTE below).

NOTE: Applicants who are found, through investigation or personal admission, to have experimented with or used narcotics or dangerous drugs, except those medically prescribed, will not be considered for employment with DEA. Exceptions to this policy may be made for applicants who admit to limited youthful and experimental use of marijuana. Such applicants may be considered for employment if there is no evidence of regular, confirmed usage and the results of the other steps in the process are otherwise favorable.

Compliance with this policy is an essential requirement of the position. All applicants must complete the DEA Drug Questionnaire and submit that Questionnaire with their application package. A copy of the drug questionnaire can be located at www.dea.gov, under “Jobs.” The link to the questionnaire is located in the paragraph on the page.

Qualifications: First-year and second-year law students.
Application Deadline: February 1st
Minimum Weeks Required: 6 weeks
Salary: Volunteer (without compensation) or work study credit (if available through law school)
Assignments: DEA’s Office of Chief Counsel offers interns the opportunity to work closely with attorneys in all of the office’s practice areas, to include Diversion and Regulatory Policy and Litigation; Civil Litigation; Administrative Law; Legislative Affairs; Legal Training; International Law; Domestic Criminal Law; Asset Forfeiture; and Technology Law. Interns can expect to conduct research, draft memoranda and correspondence, interact with agency officials, and perform other tasks as required.
Web Site: http://www.dea.gov
The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.

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ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

PO. Box 7754
Ben Franklin Station
Washington, D.C. 20044-7754
ATTN: BJ Parker
Telephone: (202) 616-3362
E-mail: applyintern.enrd@usdoj.gov (Application via email highly preferred)
Applications will be acknowledged by e-mail upon receipt.
The Environment and Natural Resources Division litigates in five key areas: pollution, lands and natural resources, wildlife, Indian resources, and land acquisition. Attorneys represent many federal agencies by preparing and arguing civil and criminal enforcement cases, appeals, and by defending challenged federal agency actions arising from well over 100 federal environmental laws. Cases are at the cutting edge of environmental protection. The Division’s work protects our environment for future generations.
Projected No. of Volunteers: 50
Internship Location(s): Washington, D.C.; Denver, CO; San Francisco, CA; Sacramento, CA; Boston, MA; Seattle, WA; Anchorage, AK (Openings vary at each site.)
Application Materials: Submit a resume (which includes your country of citizenship), a cover letter stating location preference(s) and hours/days available, a writing sample, a copy of your most recent transcript (official or unofficial), and three references with contact information (letters of recommendation not required).
Qualifications: First-year (second semester), and second-year law students. Prefer students with a special interest in environmental issues who have taken environmental law courses (if available). Applicants must successfully complete a security clearance prior to appointment.
Application Deadline: Decisions are made on a rolling basis
Fall: April 1
Spring: October 1
Summer: January 1
Minimum Weeks Required: 8 weeks (full summer strongly preferred)
Salary: Volunteer (without compensation) or work-study credit only.
Assignments: Assignments will vary. In general, interns assist the Division’s trial lawyers in preparing cases for filing and supporting the litigation effort post-filing, and assist the Division’s appellate lawyers in researching issues on appeal. Responsibilities typically include conducting legal research, drafting motions, discovery, and memoranda of law dealing with a variety of federal environmental and natural resource issues. The Division handles cases covering a broad spectrum of issues including the protection of endangered species and civil and criminal enforcement of federal pollution control laws. An internship provides an outstanding opportunity to work on cutting edge issues of environmental law.
Web Site: http://www.usdoj.gov/enrd
The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.

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ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION
ENVIRONMENTAL ENFORCEMENT SECTION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

PO. Box 7611
Ben Franklin Station
Washington, D.C. 20044-7754
ATTN: Joseph Hurley, Senior Counsel
Fax: (202) 514-0097
E-mail: Joseph.Hurley@usdoj.gov
The United States Department of Justice, Environmental Enforcement Section (EES) represents the United States in federal civil enforcement cases involving all major environmental statutes, including CERCLA, RCRA, Clean Water Act , Clean Air Act, and the Oil Pollution Act. While the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is EES’ primary client agency, EES also handles cases on behalf of the Coast Guard and DOI, USDA, and NOAA, as trustees of the national natural resources.
Projected No. of Volunteers: 15 - 18 Summer
10 – 15 Fall and Spring semesters
Internship Location(s): Washington, D.C.
Application Materials: Cover letter, resume, transcript (official or unofficial), and writing sample.
Qualifications: First-year (second semester), second- and third year (if prior to graduation) law students; excellent academic record and writing skills; and a background, experience or interest in environmental law, litigation or in public interest law.
Application Deadline: Summer internships: EES hires summer interns through job fairs we attend around the country. Accordingly, deadlines for summer internships depend on the particular job fair. Students are welcome to contact Joseph Hurley for names and deadlines of those fairs. Since half the fairs EES attends are in the fall, students are encouraged to contact Joseph Hurley earlier rather than later during the school year.

Fall internships: EES typically hires fall interns by the preceding March.
Spring internships: EES typically hires spring interns by the preceding October.
Minimum Weeks Required: 8 weeks in the summer (full summer strongly preferred)
11 - 12 weeks in the fall and spring
Salary: Volunteer (without compensation)
Assignments: Interns typically draft complaints, consent decrees, legal memoranda, motions and briefs as well as assist in written discovery in federal cases; participate in conference calls and strategy planning sessions with DOJ, agency counsel and technical experts; and, when possible, attend depositions, negotiations or court hearings in Washington, D.C.
Web Site: http://www.usdoj.gov/enrd
The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.

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ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES DIVISION
SAN FRANCISCO FIELD OFFICE
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
301 Howard Street, Suite 1050
San Francisco, CA 94105
ATTN: Victoria Reeder, Law Clerk Coordinator
E-mail: Victoria.Reeder@usdoj.gov
Fax: (415) 744-6476
The Environment and Natural Resources Division (ENRD), which is organized into nine litigating sections, has primary responsibility for litigation on behalf of the United States regarding prevention and clean up of pollution, environmental challenges to Federal programs and activities, stewardship of public lands and natural resources, acquisition of property for Federal needs, wildlife protection, and Native American rights and claims. With offices across the United States, ENRD is the nation's environmental lawyer and the largest environmental law firm in the country. The San Francisco Field Office (SFFO) has Attorneys representing four of ENRD’s nine litigating Sections. There are currently seven Attorneys from the Environmental Enforcement Section (EES), one Attorney from the Environmental Defense Section (EDS), one Attorney from the Natural Resources Section (NRS), and one Attorney from the Indian Resources Section (IRS) in the SFFO.
Projected No. of Volunteers: 4
Internship Location(s): San Francisco, California
Application Materials: Cover letter, resume, law school transcript (official or unofficial), and a legal writing sample.
Qualifications: Students must have completed at least two semesters of law school; have an excellent academic record; excellent writing skills; and a background, experience, and/or interest in environmental law. Ideally, students will have taken at least one introductory environmental law course.
Application Deadline: Law Clerk positions are filled as applications are received. The majority of Summer positions are filled by January. The majority of Fall and Spring positions are filled by April and November, respectively.
Minimum Weeks Required: Ten weeks, full-time, during the Summer and 14 weeks, at least 16 hours per week, during the Fall or Spring semesters.
Salary: Volunteer (without compensation) or course credit.
Assignments: Law Clerks are called upon to conduct legal research on a variety of issues ranging from environmental law to federal practice and procedure, evidence, corporate structure and liability, and bankruptcy. In planning assignments, the Field Office makes every effort to provide each student with challenging work in as many areas of our practice as possible. Clerks typically research and draft legal memoranda and briefs, prepare written discovery, present oral reports on shorter research assignments, and attend planning sessions with client agency counsel and technical experts. Clerks may also attend or assist with site visits, witness interviews, depositions, and hearings taking place near San Francisco or Sacramento.
Web Site: http://www.usdoj.gov/enrd

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EXECUTIVE OFFICE FOR IMMIGRATION REVIEW
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE
The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) is responsible for adjudicating immigration cases. Specifically, under delegated authority from the Attorney General, EOIR interprets and administers federal immigration laws by conducting immigration court proceedings, appellate reviews, and administrative hearings. EOIR consists of three components: the Office of the Chief Immigration Judge, which is responsible for managing the numerous immigration courts located throughout the United States where immigration judges adjudicate individual cases; the Board of Immigration Appeals, which primarily conducts appellate reviews of immigration judge decisions; and the Office of the Chief Administrative Hearing Officer, which adjudicates immigration-related employment cases. EOIR is committed to providing fair, expeditious, and uniform application of the nation's immigration laws in all cases.
Projected No. of Volunteers: Varies by Immigration Court
Internship Location(s): Internships are available in most of the 52 Immigration Courts nationwide. The Board of Immigration Appeals is located in Falls Church, Virginia which is in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
Application Materials: Cover letter, resume, writing sample, and official or unofficial transcript.
Qualifications: First-year (second semester) and second-year law students; background or experience in immigration desirable. Must be a U.S. citizen.
Application Deadline: Varies by Immigration Court
Minimum Weeks Required: 10 weeks
Salary: Volunteer (without compensation)
Assignments: Interns are exposed to litigation with frequent opportunities to observe case proceedings. Typical assignments include drafting official court orders; researching complex, novel issues in immigration law; analyzing recent legislation and its effect on the Immigration Court; and preparing materials to assist the Immigration Judge while on the bench.
Web Site: http://www.usdoj.gov/eoir (Click on “Immigration Courts Nationwide” to obtain court addresses.)
The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.

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EXECUTIVE OFFICE FOR U.S. ATTORNEYS
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

600 E Street, NW (Room 8000)
Washington, D.C. 20530-0001
ATTN: Romona Greene
Human Resources Program Specialist
Telephone: (202) 616-6900
Fax: (202) 514-7463
E-mail: romona.greene@usdoj.gov (Applications via email or fax, or mail)
The mission of the Executive Office for United States Attorneys (EOUSA) is to provide the 93 United States Attorneys (94 United States Attorneys’ Offices) with: general executive assistance and direction, policy development, administrative management direction and oversight, operational support, and coordination with other components of the Department and other federal agencies. These responsibilities include certain legal, budgetary, administrative, and personnel services, as well as legal education.
Projected No. of Volunteers: 10
Internship Location(s): Washington, D.C.
Application Materials: Resume, transcript (official or unofficial), writing sample (no more than 5 pages) and dates when available.
Qualifications: First-year (second semester) and second-year law students; law students with paralegal and computer experience. Students interested in administrative law; federal employment law, or litigation are encouraged to apply. Must be a U.S. citizen.
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted year-round, but preferred deadlines are:
October 1 for Spring Program (January - May) (open until filled)
February 1 for Summer Program (June - August) (open until filled)
July 1 for Fall Program (September - December) (open until filled)
Minimum Weeks Required: 6 - 8 weeks
Salary: Volunteer (without compensation) or work-study credit
Assignments: Interns interested in administrative law, federal employment law, or litigation will be involved in projects that involve ethics, standards of conduct, employment law, questions arising from the United States Attorneys’ Offices and law research projects. Each legal intern will work with an attorney who will provide specific guidance and direction.
Web Site: http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/eousa/
The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.

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EXECUTIVE OFFICE FOR UNITED STATES ATTORNEYS
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION & PRIVACY STAFF
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE

600 E Street, NW (Room 7300)
Washington, D.C. 20530
ATTN: John Kornmeier
Telephone: (202) 305-0542
Fax: (202) 616-6478
E-mail: John.Kornmeier@usdoj.gov (Applications by e-mail preferred)
The Freedom of Information & Privacy Staff processes all requests for records maintained by the Executive Office for U.S. Attorneys (EOUSA) in Washington, DC – and the 94 U.S. Attorneys’ Offices (USAOs) nationwide – pursuant to FOIA and the Privacy Act, 5 U.S.C. §§ 552-552a, and related Department of Justice rules, 28 CFR 16.1. Staff attorneys and paralegals liaison with other Department components and oversee the processing of requests for record