U.S. Department
of Justice
Law Student Volunteer, Summer 2025
Our office represents the federal government in virtually all litigation involving the United States in our District, which encompasses the western half of Washington State. This includes criminal prosecutions for violations of federal law, civil lawsuits by and against the government and its agencies, actions to collect judgments and restitution on behalf of crime victims and taxpayers, and civil rights litigation. We have both a Criminal Division and a Civil Division and approximately 70 Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs). We have a main office in Seattle, Washington and a branch office in Tacoma, Washington.
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.
We accept up to six law students for our summer law clerk program. The program lasts a minimum of eight weeks, with a preference for a ten-week commitment. Because the clerkships are performed on an unpaid, volunteer basis, they are primarily intended for students who have completed their first year of law school and are interested in experiencing legal practice in a public-service environment. Students who have completed their second year of law school will be considered on a case-by-case basis. While this position is open to all law students, we specifically encourage individuals to apply who have a connection to or desire to pursue a legal career in the Pacific Northwest.
Our summer law clerks work in both the Civil and Criminal Divisions. Law clerks research and draft pretrial, trial, and appellate briefs and motions. They work directly with AUSAs on both short- and long-term projects, and they have opportunities to observe trials, motions and settlement conferences, and appellate arguments. Each summer clerk has a designated mentoring attorney who assists and supports the clerk consistently throughout the summer.
The program also provides opportunities for law clerks to meet with a variety of speakers from the federal legal system. In past years, speakers have included federal judges, public defenders, law enforcement agents, United States Marshals, and probation officers. We also host sessions with AUSAs regarding career paths, judicial clerkships, and interview skills. We regularly include opportunities to meet with and learn from our federal partners. Some examples of past opportunities include:
- A visit with military Judge Advocates (JAG Corps) and tour of military facilities.
- A day of training in search warrant execution and takedowns.
- DEA force training.
- A meeting with tribal prosecutors and investigators in one of the District’s 25 federally recognized tribes.
- A tour of the courthouse lock-up facilities.
Applicants must have completed either their first or second year of law school. They must have superior research and writing skills and be detail-oriented, dedicated to upholding and advancing justice and human rights, and committed to fairness and integrity. Other requirements:
- Must be a U.S. citizen.
- Must meet DOJ residency requirements. (Must have lived in the United States for three of the last five years. Must be cumulative. Does not have to be consecutive).
Before any offer is finalized, law clerks must pass a background investigation, which includes fingerprinting, a credit check, and completing a security questionnaire.
Each applicant packet must include the following in a single PDF document (preferably in the order listed below):
- A cover letter describing your interest in working as a law clerk with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington;
- Resume;
- Your most recent available academic transcript; and
- A writing sample.
Applications can be emailed (preferred) or mailed to the following addresses:
USAWAW-SummerLAWClerks@usdoj.gov
U.S. Attorney’s Office
ATTN: Summer Law Clerk Committee
700 Stewart Street, Suite 5220
Seattle, WA 98101
If you wish to apply for the externship program for credit at your law school, contact the Externship Coordinator at your law school to initiate the application process.
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis starting on January 6, 2025. Applications submitted after January 21, 2025, will not be considered.
Volunteer (uncompensated)