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Legal Careers

Law Student Volunteer, Civil Division, Commercial Litigation Branch, Fraud Section (C-Fraud) (Fall 2026)

Hiring Organization
Civil Division (CIV)
Hiring Office
Commercial Litigation Branch (Fraud Section)
Location:
175 N Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002 - United States
Application Deadline:
About the Office

The Fraud Section of the Commercial Litigation Branch, Civil Division, represents the United States in federal district courts in civil matters brought to redress fraud against the federal government. The office is at the forefront of enforcing the civil False Claims Act, one of the government's most powerful tools to combat fraud against federal programs.

Our attorneys:

  • Investigate, litigate, and frequently settle multi-million dollar cases involving false claims across the full spectrum of government programs
  • Handle many high-profile cases, including:
    • Healthcare fraud (Medicare and Medicaid)
    • Defense contractor fraud
    • Procurement fraud
    • Grant fraud
    • Customs fraud
    • Mortgage and financial fraud

The Fraud Section:

  • Recovers billions of dollars annually for American taxpayers
  • Works closely with U.S. Attorneys' Offices, agency Inspectors General, and whistleblowers who file suits under the False Claims Act's qui tam provisions

More information about the Civil Fraud Section's work can be found at www.justice.gov/civil/commercial/fraud/c-fraud.html and at www.justice.gov in recent False Claims Act press releases.

Job Description

Law student volunteers will:

  • Conduct legal research on complex fraud issues and statutory interpretation
  • Draft legal memoranda related to active cases and ongoing investigations
  • Support investigative activities and discovery processes
  • Analyze evidence and assist with case theory development with experienced attorneys
  • Attend team meetings, strategy sessions, and court proceedings when appropriate
  • Contribute to the preparation of complaints, motions, and briefs

Intern Experience

  • Interns are integrated into one or two major case teams and may receive additional assignments as time permits
  • Observe firsthand how fraud litigation develops from investigation through resolution
  • Work directly with trial attorneys handling billion-dollar cases
  • Gain insight into the government’s fraud enforcement priorities and strategies
  • Develop essential litigation skills under the guidance and mentorship of experienced litigators

Each intern is paired with a dedicated Fraud Section mentor for guidance. Interns may observe attorneys in action throughout the stages of litigation.

All work is performed in person and onsite at the Washington, D.C. office. Remote work is not permitted.

Qualifications

Eligibility Requirements

  • U.S citizenship or national status
  • Must be a current second- or third-year law student at the time of internship
  • Completion of at least one year of law school by the start date of the internship
  • Must be a current law student enrolled at least half-time in an accredited law school
  • Successful completion of a background investigation
  • Ability to commit to a minimum of 8 weeks and at least 20 hours per week
  • Availability to participate for the full duration of the internship, as agreed upon with the C-Frauds section

Preferred Qualifications

  • Demonstrated academic excellence (top 25% of class preferred)
  • Strong legal and/or policy research, analytical, and critical thinking skills
  • Exceptional attention to detail and organizational abilities
  • Ability to manage and prioritize multiple assignments in a fast-paced enforcement and litigation environment
  • Effective communication and teamwork skills, and a demonstrated commitment to collaborative work
  • Demonstrated interest or prior experience in one or more of the following areas
    • Healthcare law or policy
    • Government contracting
    • Complex civil litigation
    • White-collar investigations
    • Public service

Additional Information

  • First-year law students (1Ls) are not eligible for the Fall 2026 term.
  • Law school graduates and LL.M. candidates are ineligible for this volunteer position.
  • Please do not apply unless available for the full internship period.
  • Selected candidates will be required to complete security forms and a background check.
Application Process

Submit the following materials in a single, combined PDF file titled "[Last Name, First Name] - Fall 2026 Internship Application, [Law School, Graduating Class Year]" to Civil.Fraud@usdoj.gov, with the subject line "Fraud Section, Fall 2026 Internship Application"

  • Cover letter
  • Resume (not to exceed two pages)
  • Unofficial transcript
  • Writing sample (legal only)

Additional Information

  • Please do not apply unless available for the full internship period
  • Selected candidates will be required to complete security forms and a background check
  • Law school graduates and LL.M candidates are not eligible
Salary

Positions are unpaid. Interns may receive academic credit or funding through external programs such as Federal Work Study, if applicable. Transit subsidy available for in-person commuting.

Number of Positions
5
Travel
Not required
Relocation Expenses
Not provided

Department Policies

The Department remains steadfast in its commitment to equal employment opportunity (EEO) and treating employees with fairness, dignity and compassion. We must ensure that no applicant for employment or employee of our Department is denied equal opportunity because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex – including pregnancy – or because of age, physical or mental disability, protected genetic information, parental status, marital status, political affiliation, or any other non-merit based factor and that all have the freedom to compete on a fair and level playing field. To learn more, please view the Department’s full Equal Employment Opportunity Policy Statement.  

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.

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.   

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.

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://help.usajobs.gov/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. 

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).

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.

 

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 April 14, 2026