Law Student Volunteers

The United States Attorney's Office for the Central District of California provides opportunities to law students on summer recess, and during the fall and spring semesters. This is known as an "extern" appointment and duty is on a volunteer (non-paid) basis. Externs work in all of the Criminal, Civil, National Security and Tax Divisions. Assignments may include assisting AUSAs with legal research, writing pleadings, trial preparation, completing appellate briefs, and responding to habeas corpus petitions. Externs are encouraged to observe trials and other court proceedings in cases on which they have worked or in cases of general interest in the office. Externs who qualify to practice under the district court's student practice rules may also handle some misdemeanor and petty offense hearings.

For an externship during the summer (June through August), applications should be submitted no later than January 20 of that calendar year (e.g., applications for the summer of 2024 should be received by January 20, 2024). Applications for semester externships must be received on a similar schedule. For fall semester externships, applications should be submitted no later than April 15 of that calendar year (e.g., applications for fall 2024 should be received by April 15, 2024); for spring semester externships, applications should be submitted no later than September 15 of the prior calendar year (e.g., applications for spring 2024 should be received by September 15, 2023). All externs undergo a partial background investigation and must be a United States citizen before beginning work.

If subject to Selective Service requirements, applicants must be registered with the Selective Service. The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer, and we welcome requests for reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Veterans are also encouraged to apply, and status as a veteran is a positive factor.

Law students wishing to apply for an externship should submit a resume, cover letter, transcript, and writing sample to the division(s) of their choice, as indicated below. If applying to more than one division/office, please indicate preference.

Criminal and National Security Division Externship for the Los Angeles Office

United States Attorney’s Office, Central District California
Criminal & National Security Divisions
U.S. Courthouse
312 N. Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
ATTN: AUSA Laura Alexander, AUSA Kyle Kahan, AUSA Elizabeth Douglas

Applicants must email their applications to USACAC.ExternProgram@usdoj.gov and indicate in the subject line when they would like to serve as an extern (e.g., “Application for Summer 2024”).  During the fall and spring semesters, externs are expected to work at least 16 hours per week.  During the summer, externs are required to work 40 hours per week.

Civil Division Externship for the Los Angeles Office
United States Attorney’s Office, Central District California
Federal Building, Suite 7516
300 N. Los Angeles Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
ATTN: AUSA Jasmin Yang, AUSA Christina Marquez, and AUSA Randy Hsieh

Applicants must email their applications to USACAC.CivilExternProgram@usdoj.gov and indicate in the subject line when they would like to serve as an extern (e.g., “Application for Summer 2022”). During the fall and spring semesters, externs are expected to work two full days per week. During the summer, externs are required to work 40 hours per week.

Tax Division Externship for the Los Angeles Office
United States Attorney’s Office, Central District California
Tax Division
Federal Building, Suite 7211
300 N. Los Angeles Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
ATTN: AUSA Gavin Greene

Applicants must email their applications to Gavin.Greene@usdoj.gov and indicate in the subject line when they would like to serve as an extern (e.g., “Application for Summer 2022”). During the fall and spring semesters, externs are expected to work at least two full days per week. During the summer, externs are required to work 40 hours per week.

Riverside Criminal Division
United States Attorney's Office, Central District California
Central District of California
3403 10th Street, Suite 200
Riverside, CA 92501
ATTN: AUSA Mitchell Suliman and AUSA Sonah Lee

Email: Mitchell.Suliman@usdoj.gov.
Email: Sonah.Lee@usdoj.gov

Applicants will need to indicate in the subject line when they would like to serve as an extern (e.g., “Application for Summer 2022”). The Riverside office only has extern positions available in the Criminal Division. During the Fall and Spring semesters, externs are expected to work at least 16 hours per week and during the Summer semester, externs are expected to work 40 hours per week.

Santa Ana Criminal Division
United States Attorney's Office, Central District California
Central District of California
411 West Fourth St., Suite 8000
Santa Ana CA 92701-4599
ATTN: AUSA Caitlin Campbell, AUSA Anne Gannon, AUSA Rosalind Wang

Email: Caitlin.Campbell@usdoj.gov
Email: Anne.Gannon@usdoj.gov
Email: Rosalind.Wang@usdoj.gov

Applicants will need to indicate in the subject line when and which office they would like to serve as an extern (e.g., “Application for Summer 2022”); the Santa Ana office only has extern positions available in the Criminal Division. During the fall and spring semesters, externs are expected to work at least two full days per week. During the summer, externs are required to work 40 hours per week.