Law Externships

Law Academic Year Externships

Criminal and Civil Divisions

The Criminal and Civil Divisions of the United States Attorney's Office offer unpaid externships for students in law school during the fall and spring semesters. The externships are for students interested in federal criminal law and prosecution and civil investigations under the False Claims Act and civil litigation involving the United States. For the Criminal Division externship, students will work with Assistant U.S. Attorneys in all Units within the Criminal Division: Violent Crime, Narcotics and Organized Crime, Economic Crimes, Health Care and Government Fraud, National Security and Cyber Crime, Corruption and Civil Rights, Appeals, and Asset Recovery and Financial Litigation. Students will assist in the prosecution of a wide range of serious federal felony offenses occurring within the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.  For the Civil Division externship, students will work with various Assistant U.S. Attorneys and may have the opportunity to participate in matters governed by the student practice rule, including depositions, arbitration, and court arguments.

Most externs participate as part of a practicum program through their law school and earn academic credit. The fall semester program typically runs from approximately mid-September to late November, and the spring semester program typically runs from approximately mid-January to mid-May. Exact dates vary each semester based on academic calendars. The fall and spring programs are in-person in our Philadelphia office. 

Externs set their own schedule and number of hours based on their class schedule and any requirements of their law school to earn academic credit. Most externs spend two to three days per week in the office.

The program allows interns to work on and observe cases litigated in the United States District Court and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. Interns participate with Assistant United States Attorneys in all phases of litigation, from investigations through trial and appeal. Externship coordinators assist with assigning cases to each extern and will attempt to align case assignments with externs’ interests. 

Typical assignments include:
•    conducting legal research;
•    drafting motions, briefs, and internal memoranda;
•    reviewing and organizing evidence and discovery, including police reports, cell phone extractions and other electronic                        evidence, and recorded jail calls; and
•    preparing for and attending hearings, meetings, witness interviews, proffers, and trials.
 

Requirements

To be hired, an applicant must be:
•    currently enrolled in a law school
•    a United States citizen
•    selected by the externship committee
•    successfully cleared following a background check undertaken by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (which includes inquiry         into illegal drug use and bad debts)
 

Application Process

The externship program is open to all currently enrolled law students (including those attending law school at night or part time) who will be in their 2L or 3L year at the time of the externship. It is not open to those who have graduated law school.
Applicants should first contact their law school externship coordinator, practicum program director, or career services office. Most local schools coordinate and submit applications on behalf of interested students or provide specific instructions. If students are instructed to apply directly, applicants should submit applications by September 15 for the following spring semester, or May 1 for the following fall semester. 

Applications should contain a cover letter, law school transcript (official or unofficial), and a resume. Students who do not attend a law school with an externship coordinator may email their materials directly to: USAPAE.Extern.Recruit@usdoj.gov

The externship committee selects candidates to interview (via video conference) from the resumes submitted. Please do not call the office to attempt to arrange an interview.

Candidates selected by the committee must provide information for a Federal Bureau of Investigation background check, which begins immediately upon notification of selection.

Final approval for all applicants is obtained from the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C.
 

The United States is an Equal Opportunity Employer.