Summer Internship Program
The Office offers an unpaid summer internship program for first-year and second-year law students. Students are placed in either the Criminal or Civil Division and participate in a wide range of the work that Assistant U.S. Attorneys perform. The Office also hosts a variety of summer events, such as training sessions and brown bag lunches, designed to educate interns about government lawyering specifically and the legal profession in general. Interns must commit to working a minimum of 8-10 weeks. Interns are typically paired with one or two Assistants. Typical assignments include research and writing projects, participating in witness interviews, document analysis, assisting in preparing for depositions and court conferences, and assisting with trials.
Application
Please review the Eligibility Requirements and Other Conditions set forth below.
The Summer Internship Program is only open to first- and second-year law students. Students may only apply to one division (Criminal or Civil). To apply, submit the following documents:
- Resume - Please indicate which division you are applying to.
- Transcripts (copies are acceptable)
- Writing Sample – must be no longer than five pages
- Do not submit a cover letter.
2Ls. Second year law students may apply during the period September 24– October 12 for the following summer. Please submit the application materials noted above and submit your documents by selecting either Criminal or Civil.
1Ls. First year law students may apply during the period December– February for the following summer. Please submit the application materials noted above by selecting either Criminal or Civil. Note: first year law students must provide their transcripts when they become available. Please submit other application materials within the timeframe provided.
Apply Online
Click here to apply for summer internship program
Apply by Mail
Submit your application to:
U.S. Attorney’s Office, SDNY
Attn: Human Resources, Summer Intern
86 Chambers Street, NY, NY 10007
Summer Intern Interviews
The Office conducts on-campus interviews for 1Ls at the following schools: Brooklyn, Cardozo, Columbia, Fordham, NYL, NYU, Pace, Georgetown, Harvard, Howard, and Yale. Interviews are conducted during January and February. Please contact your school’s career center or public interest office for interview information.
Internships and Externships During the School Year
Law School Clinics. Certain New York area law schools offer clinics that include internship at the United States Attorney’s Office. Interested students should consult their law school course listings and apply as indicated therein.
Law School Externships. Certain New York area law schools have made arrangements to place externs (i.e., interns who are not part of a law school clinic) with our Office during the academic year. Consult with your law school advisor to determine if your school has made such arrangements. Academic externships during the school year may also be arranged on an ad hoc basis. Note that all externship positions are very few in number: among other reasons, they are dependent on the availability of an Assistant U.S. Attorney to sponsor the student and Office logistical constraints. Law students interested in committing to no less than one day per week for 12-16 weeks during the spring or fall semester, and to no less than 120 hours for winter term, may submit an application for an externship. To be considered for a spring externship we must receive your application no later than the preceding October; to be considered for a fall externship we must receive your application no later than the preceding May; and to be considered for a winter internship we must receive your application no later than the preceding September.
An application for an externship must consist of a resume, transcript (a copy is acceptable), and a writing sample (no longer than five pages). The application should be submitted via e-mail to usanys.fallspringjan@usdoj.gov. Do not submit a cover letter.
Eligibility Requirements and Conditions for all Internship and Externship Programs
U.S. Citizen. Applicants must be U.S. citizens.
U.S. Residency Requirement: for three of the five years immediately prior to applying for an internship, the applicant must (i) have resided in the United States; (ii) have worked for the United States overseas in a federal or military capacity; or (iii) have been a dependant of a federal or military employee serving overseas.
Background Check. Students who have been preliminarily selected for an internship or externship position must therafter complete a security package and be granted a favorable clearance.
School Permission. Your law school must execute a Volunteer Agreement as part of the final clearance process for students who have been preliminarily selected for an internship or externship position.
No Payment. Internships and externships are unpaid. Students may apply for stipends that are offered by private fellowship associations. For more information, view the Stipend Brochure.
Conflict of Interest. Law student interns cannot work for or be paid by another law firm or similar entity during the period of the internship or externship at the U.S. Attorney’s Office. Interns and externs are also prohibited from participating in any law school or other legal clinic involving litigation with or proceedings before the United States or any federal entity during the period of the internship or externship. Written consent from the U.S. Attorney’s Office is required to participate in any other type of law school or legal clinic, or in any other type of outside employment, during the period of the internship or externship.
Non-Discrimination. The United States Government does not discriminate in employment or selection of interns on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, status as a parent, genetic information, disability, age, membership or nonmembership in an employee organization, or on the basis of personal favoritism.
