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Legal Careers

Law Student Intern

Hiring Organization
USAO Northern District of Georgia
Hiring Office
Civil Division
Location:
75 Ted Turner Dr., SW
Suite 600
Atlanta, GA 30303 - United States
Application Deadline:
About the Office

The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia investigates and prosecutes federal crimes and represents the interests of the United States in both criminal and civil cases and matters in U.S. District Court, as well as in the Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. Criminal attorneys investigate and prosecute federal criminal violations of many types, including: terrorism, computer crime, fraud, public corruption, drug trafficking, organized crime, civil rights violations, money laundering, and violent crimes. Civil attorneys provide representation to various federal agencies in both affirmative and defensive litigation. Civil attorneys are also active in asset forfeiture proceedings and the collection of fines and judgments.

As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.

Job Description

Interns will be assigned to work on Bankruptcy matters in the Civil Division.

Our goal is to introduce Interns to the federal legal system; to refine their legal research and writing skills; and, above all, to make their time at the Office enjoyable and worthwhile. Interns work directly with Assistant U. S. Attorneys on both short and long-term projects and may have opportunities to observe trials, motion and settlement conferences, and oral arguments. During the academic term, interns will perform research, review documents in chapter 7, 11, and 13 cases, assist with drafting and filing motions and objections as appropriate in consumer and chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings, attend bankruptcy hearings, 341 meetings, and provide litigation support to Assistant U. S. Attorneys. Interns are strongly encouraged to attend and observe court proceedings and to attend office training programs.

Qualifications

Preferred candidates will be third-year law students with a strong academic record. Second-year law students will also be considered. Applicant must be enrolled in an accredited law school at least half-time. Law school graduates and graduating students are not eligible. Must be a U.S. citizen and will be subject to a background investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice, due to the sensitive nature of the work handled by the office.  This is an excellent opportunity for students with a background and interest in bankruptcy and litigation. Interns must generally be able to commit a minimum of 10 hours per week for at least 10 weeks.

Application Process

Please submit cover letter, resume, law school transcript, legal writing sample, dates when available to work, and contact information including mailing address, e-mail address, and current telephone number(s).

Please email your package to:

Nicole Overton, Human Resources Specialist

email: USAGAN.Resumes@usdoj.gov

Salary

Uncompensated. Academic credit available if arranged by the student through the law school. Interns are responsible for all transportation and parking expenses incurred.

Number of Positions
We are currently recruiting for 2 to 3 law interns.
Relocation Expenses
Relocation expenses will not be authorized.

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Department Policies

Equal Employment Opportunity:  The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer.  Except where otherwise provided by law, there will be no discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex - including gender identity, sexual orientation, or pregnancy status - or because of age (over 40), physical or mental disability, protected genetic information, parental status, marital status, political affiliation, or any other non-merit based factor.  The Department of Justice welcomes and encourages applications from persons with physical and mental disabilities. The Department is firmly committed to satisfying its affirmative obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, to ensure that persons with disabilities have every opportunity to be hired and advanced on the basis of merit within the Department of Justice. For more information, please review our full EEO Statement.

Reasonable Accommodations:  This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency.  Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Outreach and Recruitment for Qualified Applicants with Disabilities:  The Department encourages qualified applicants with disabilities, including individuals with targeted/severe disabilities to apply in response to posted vacancy announcements.  Qualified applicants with targeted/severe disabilities may be eligible for direct hire, non-competitive appointment under Schedule A (5 C.F.R. § 213.3102(u)) hiring authority.  Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact one of the Department’s Disability Points of Contact (DPOC) to express an interest in being considered for a position. See list of DPOCs.   

Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs:  Unless otherwise required by law, the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits employees of the U.S. Department of Justice or a federal contractor acting on its behalf from inquiring about an applicant's criminal history record, either in writing or orally, before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint within 30 days of the date of the alleged non-compliance directly to the hiring office using the contact information listed in the announcement.

Suitability and Citizenship:  It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace and persons selected for employment will be required to pass a drug test which screens for illegal drug use prior to final appointment.  Employment is also contingent upon the completion and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation. Congress generally prohibits agencies from employing non-citizens within the United States, except for a few narrow exceptions as set forth in the annual Appropriations Act (see, https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/non-citizens/). Pursuant to DOJ component policies, only U.S. citizens are eligible for employment with the Executive Office for Immigration Review, U.S. Trustee’s Offices, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Unless otherwise indicated in a particular job advertisement, qualifying non-U.S. citizens meeting immigration and appropriations law criteria may apply for employment with other DOJ organizations. However, please be advised that the appointment of non-U.S. citizens is extremely rare; such appointments would be possible only if necessary to accomplish the Department's mission and would be subject to strict security requirements. Applicants who hold dual citizenship in the U.S. and another country will be considered on a case-by-case basis. All DOJ employees are subject to a residency requirement. Candidates must have lived in the United States for at least three of the past five years. The three-year period is cumulative, not necessarily consecutive. Federal or military employees, or dependents of federal or military employees serving overseas, are excepted from this requirement. This is a Department security requirement which is waived only for extreme circumstances and handled on a case-by-case basis.

Veterans:  There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Justice considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., the DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation) to their submissions. Although the "point" system is not used, per se, applicants eligible to claim 10-point preference must submit Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, and submit the supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed (visit the OPM website, www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf for a copy of SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preferences and the required supporting document(s). Applicants should note that SF 15 requires supporting documentation associated with service- connected disabilities or receipt of nonservice-connected disability pensions to be dated 1991 or later except in the case of service members submitting official statements or retirement orders from a branch of the Armed Forces showing that their retirement was due to a permanent service-connected disability or that they were transferred to the permanent disability retired list (the statement or retirement orders must indicate that the disability is 10% or more).

USAO Residency Requirement:  Assistant United States Attorneys must reside in the district to which appointed or within 25 miles thereof.  See 28 U.S.C. 545 for district specific information.

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This and other vacancy announcements can be found under Attorney Vacancies and Volunteer Legal Internships. The Department of Justice cannot control further dissemination and/or posting of information contained in this vacancy announcement. Such posting and/or dissemination is not an endorsement by the Department of the organization or group disseminating and/or posting the information.

Updated September 16, 2024