Legal Careers
Summer 2023 Volunteer Legal Intern
Washington, DC 20002 - United States
DOJ’s Office of Aviation, Space & Admiralty Litigation handles aviation, space and maritime accident cases and claims on behalf of the Department of Justice. Clients include the Federal Aviation Administration, the Army Corps of Engineers, the Coast Guard, the Navy, the Maritime Administration, the Transportation Security Administration, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Security Agency and the Departments of Defense, Transportation, Homeland Security and Commerce.
Our Section’s aviation practice is largely comprised of suits defending the United States in wrongful death, serious personal injury, and extensive property damage actions arising from aircraft accidents. Federal activities giving rise to these lawsuits include air traffic control, military aviation operations, weather dissemination, charting of obstacles, operation of navigational aids, and certification of aircraft, airports, and air personnel. Since its establishment, the Section has litigated all commercial airline accident cases involving the United States, the most recent being Continental Airlines flight 1404, which crashed during takeoff from Denver. The Section is also responsible for litigation arising from space launch or space vehicle incidents and handled litigation and claims arising from the Space Shuttle Columbia and Challenger disasters.
In its admiralty practice, the Section represents the United States in the government’s role as ship-owner, regulator, and protector of the nation’s waterways and maritime resources. Its admiralty litigation concerns collisions involving U.S. vessels and warships, grounding of vessels while using U.S. government-produced charts, challenges to the boarding of vessels on the high seas during national security and drug interdiction activities, and maritime-based pollution incidents, including vessel oil spills. Affirmative admiralty actions seek compensation for the loss of government cargo; damage to locks, dams, and natural resources; and the costs associated with maritime pollution cleanups. The Section assumed the lead role in the liability trial arising from the explosion on the mobile drilling rig DEEPWATER HORIZON and resulting oil spill. It has also been engaged in litigation activities arising from two separate collisions involving U.S. warships. Both occurred in 2017 when the USS JOHN S. McCAIN collided with a Liberian flagged/Greek operated tanker near the entrance to the Straits of Malacca, and the USS FITZGERALD and ACX CRYSTAL collided offshore Japan.
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.
The ten-week summer internship program is an excellent opportunity for students who are interested in civil litigation, tort, admiralty and environmental law to get hands-on experience in significant matters involving the United States. Interns will work on matters ranging from torts to environmental law, choice of law, contract law, civil procedure, constitutional law, and evidence. Projects include legal research and writing, drafting pleadings and discovery, drafting motions, and various experiential opportutnities which may include attending depositions, meetings with witnesses and experts, court hearings and mediation.
Must have completed first year of law school.
Interested applicants should send a letter of interest, resume, unofficial transcript, writing sample and references to jessica.l.mcclellan@usdoj.gov.
Unpaid
Department Policies
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