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 December 15 of the previous calendar year (e.g. applications for the summer of 2024 should be received by December 15, 2023). Applications for semester externships must be received on a similar schedule. For fall semester externships, applications should be submitted no later than April 15; for spring semester externships, applications should be submitted no later than September 15 of the prior year. 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.

As required by Executive Order 14043, Federal employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 regardless of the employee's duty location or work arrangement (e.g., telework, remote work, etc.), subject to such exceptions as required by law. If selected, you will be required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and submit documentation of proof of vaccination before appointment or onboarding with the agency. The agency will provide additional information regarding what information or documentation will be needed and how you can request of the agency a legally required exception from this requirement.

Due to COVID-19, if selected, you may be expected to telework for an undefined period under the Department's evacuation authority, even if your home is located outside the local commuting area. Employees in this status may be notified of a requirement to report in person to the component workplace with an advance notice of not less than 30 days. Prior to a requirement to report to the workplace, employees may be eligible to request to continue to telework one or more days depending upon the terms of the office's telework policy.

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 Externship for the Los Angeles Office

United States Attorney’s Office, Central District CA
Criminal & National Security Divisions
U.S. Courthouse
312 N. Spring Street
Los Angeles, CA 90012
ATTN: AUSA Max Coll, AUSA David Friedman, AUSA Solomon Kim, and AUSA Lauren Restrepo.

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 2022”). During the fall and spring semesters, externs are expected to work at least three full days per week/Summer 40 hours per week.

Civil Division Externship for the Los Angeles Office
United States Attorney’s Office, Central District CA
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 at least three full days per week/Summer 40 hours per week.

Tax Division Externship for the Los Angeles Office
United States Attorney’s Office, Central District CA
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 three full days per week/ Summer 40 hours per week.

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

Email: Anne.Gannon@usdoj.gov
Email: Rosalind.Wang@usdoj.gov
Email: Jake.Nare@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.