You must be a U.S. Citizen, a first-year (2nd semester), second-, or third-year law student with strong research/writing skills, and able to commit to a full-time, 40-hour/week internship for 8 weeks.

You will assist with case preparation, research legal issues, draft motions, support trials, interview witnesses, assemble exhibits, and may appear in court under supervision.

Government & Politics

Legal

United States

Springfield

The mission of the Department of Justice (DOJ) is to uphold the rule of law, to keep our country safe, and to protect civil rights.


U.S. Department of Justice

Hiring Organization
 USAO Central District of Illinois
 Hiring Office
 Springfield and Urbana
 
Location: 
318 South 6th Street
 Springfield, IL 62701 - United States
 
Application Deadline: 
Friday, April 4, 2025
 About the Office
 
The United States Attorney's Office for the Central District of Illinois has a motivated, friendly, and talented staff who is dedicated to serving the interests of justice. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecutes federal offenses, defends the United States Government's interests, and affirmatively pursues claims on behalf of the government, representing the United States in all criminal prosecutions, as well as civil and appellate litigation. The District enjoys four seasons and is rich in history. It is comprised of 46 counties with offices in Springfield, Urbana, Peoria, and Rock Island. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to ethically and thoroughly prosecuting federal criminal cases, defending the legal interests of the United States, protecting public funds, ensuring our national security; and working cooperatively with other federal, state and local law enforcement and community agencies to protect the citizens of central Illinois. To learn more about what Illinois has to offer, please visit the following links. Additional information on Central Illinois is also available at https://www.enjoyillinois.com/, on Springfield (our state capital) at https://www.visitspringfieldillinois.com/, on Urbana at https://www.urbanaillinois.us/, Peoria at https://peoria.org/, and Rock Island (quad-cities area)at https://visitquadcities.com/plan-your-trip/our-communities/rock-island.
 
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 professional work environment and talented work force.
 
Job Description
 
Typical assignments will include assisting with all facets of case preparation including: researching legal issues, drafting/writing motions and responses and various pleadings, providing trial support to Assistant United States Attorneys, interviewing witnesses, assembling exhibits for trial, and possibly appearing in court under the supervision of an Assistant United States Attorney.
 
Qualifications
 
First-year (second semester), second- and third-year law students are encouraged to apply. Superior research and writing skills, an eye for detail, a desire to work as part of a small team of professionals, and a commitment to fairness and integrity in the administration of the bankruptcy system are essential. Excellent opportunity for students with a background and interest in policy making, bankruptcy, administrative law, and legislation. Must be a U.S. Citizen. Interns must be able to commit to a full-time schedule of 40 hours per week for 8 continuous weeks in the summer. Students are responsible for their own lodging and transportation.
 
Application Process
 
Resume, personal statement reflecting your background and your interest in participating in this program, legal writing sample, three letters of recommendation (preferably legal), and law school transcript (unofficial is acceptable).
 
Recommendation letters may be included by the student with the application materials. If the recommendation letters are being sent separately, students should note that on their applications.
 
Application materials may be condensed into one pdf document. In your application, please indicate your preferred work location.
 
If candidates applied prior to January 20th and are still interested in being considered, please reapply to this announcement.
 
All application packages must be submitted to the following email address no later than 5:00pm (CDT), Friday, April 04, 2025.
 
Email: USAILC.Human.Resources@usdoj.gov
 
District Contact: Fabiola LaPorte, Human Resource Specialist
 
Telephone: (217)492-4483
 
Springfield Address: 318 South 6th Street, Springfield, Illinois 62701
 
Urbana Address: 201 South Vine Street, Urbana, Illinois 61802
 
Salary
 
This internship is not compensated. No matching contributions available. Work-study or academic credit may be available through a student's law school. Students must make arrangements through their law school.

Hiring Organization
USAO Central District of Illinois
Hiring Office
Springfield and Urbana

Location:
318 South 6th Street
Springfield, IL 62701 - United States

Application Deadline:
Friday, April 4, 2025
About the Office

The United States Attorney's Office for the Central District of Illinois has a motivated, friendly, and talented staff who is dedicated to serving the interests of justice. The U.S. Attorney’s Office prosecutes federal offenses, defends the United States Government's interests, and affirmatively pursues claims on behalf of the government, representing the United States in all criminal prosecutions, as well as civil and appellate litigation. The District enjoys four seasons and is rich in history. It is comprised of 46 counties with offices in Springfield, Urbana, Peoria, and Rock Island. The U.S. Attorney’s Office is committed to ethically and thoroughly prosecuting federal criminal cases, defending the legal interests of the United States, protecting public funds, ensuring our national security; and working cooperatively with other federal, state and local law enforcement and community agencies to protect the citizens of central Illinois. To learn more about what Illinois has to offer, please visit the following links. Additional information on Central Illinois is also available at https://www.enjoyillinois.com/, on Springfield (our state capital) at https://www.visitspringfieldillinois.com/, on Urbana at https://www.urbanaillinois.us/, Peoria at https://peoria.org/, and Rock Island (quad-cities area)at https://visitquadcities.com/plan-your-trip/our-communities/rock-island.

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 professional work environment and talented work force.

Job Description

Typical assignments will include assisting with all facets of case preparation including: researching legal issues, drafting/writing motions and responses and various pleadings, providing trial support to Assistant United States Attorneys, interviewing witnesses, assembling exhibits for trial, and possibly appearing in court under the supervision of an Assistant United States Attorney.

Qualifications

First-year (second semester), second- and third-year law students are encouraged to apply. Superior research and writing skills, an eye for detail, a desire to work as part of a small team of professionals, and a commitment to fairness and integrity in the administration of the bankruptcy system are essential. Excellent opportunity for students with a background and interest in policy making, bankruptcy, administrative law, and legislation. Must be a U.S. Citizen. Interns must be able to commit to a full-time schedule of 40 hours per week for 8 continuous weeks in the summer. Students are responsible for their own lodging and transportation.

Application Process

Resume, personal statement reflecting your background and your interest in participating in this program, legal writing sample, three letters of recommendation (preferably legal), and law school transcript (unofficial is acceptable).

Recommendation letters may be included by the student with the application materials. If the recommendation letters are being sent separately, students should note that on their applications.

Application materials may be condensed into one pdf document. In your application, please indicate your preferred work location.

If candidates applied prior to January 20th and are still interested in being considered, please reapply to this announcement.

All application packages must be submitted to the following email address no later than 5:00pm (CDT), Friday, April 04, 2025.

Email: USAILC.Human.Resources@usdoj.gov

District Contact: Fabiola LaPorte, Human Resource Specialist

Telephone: (217)492-4483

Springfield Address: 318 South 6th Street, Springfield, Illinois 62701

Urbana Address: 201 South Vine Street, Urbana, Illinois 61802

Salary

This internship is not compensated. No matching contributions available. Work-study or academic credit may be available through a student's law school. Students must make arrangements through their law school.

Law Student Volunteer, Central District of Illinois, Summer 2025

Requirements

Responsibilities

FAQs

What is the location of the internship?

What is the application deadline for this internship?

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What materials are required for the application?

Is this internship paid?

How long does the internship last?

Can I indicate my preferred work location in my application?

Are students responsible for their own lodging and transportation?

Can I apply if I have previously applied before January 20th?

Who should I contact for further questions about the internship?

U.S. Department of Justice

Mission & Purpose