Law Student Volunteer, Summer 2025

U.S. Department of Justice

14d ago

Applications are closed

Internship
Full-time
Summer Internship
Government & Politics
Legal
Columbia, +1

Requirements

Student Status: You must be considered in good academic standings by the school, and be a second or third year Law Student.
Grade Point Average: You must have at least a 3.0 GPA.
Citizenship: Student Interns must be United States citizens or owe permanent allegiance to the United States. (Currently, natives of American Samoa, Swains Island and certain inhabitants of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are the only groups that owe permanent allegiance to the United States.)
Background Investigation: You must successfully complete a background investigation to determine your suitability for Federal employment.
Volunteer Agreement: All interns are required to sign the Participant Agreement (will be completed later during the security process if selected)
Conditions of Employment:
You must be a United States Citizen or National.
Background Investigation, credit check, and work history.
You must be registered for Selective Service, if applicable.
You must submit a transcript or proof of enrollment with your application.
You must be at least 16 years of age or older.
You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.

Responsibilities

Selected candidates will be assigned work from the criminal and civil divisions.
Our goal is to introduce law students to the federal system and litigation involving the United States.
We strive to assist students in developing their legal research and writing skills.
Students will perform legal research and writing; draft various pleadings, motions, briefs, and other documents; and assist with witness preparation, depositions, and hearings or trials.
Students will also be provided with several opportunities to meet members of the judiciary, representatives of various federal agencies, and to participate in substantive programs to familiarize them with the federal legal system.
The Criminal Division may give students an opportunity to work on a wide variety of practice areas, including narcotics, public corruption, healthcare fraud, cybercrimes, terrorism, and other federal crimes.
Within the Civil Division, students may work in a wide variety of defensive and affirmative litigation, including employment discrimination, medical malpractice, general torts, constitutional torts, immigration, prisoner litigation, commercial, financial, and civil fraud.
Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.

FAQs

What is the application deadline for the Law Student Volunteer position?

The application deadline is Wednesday, April 9, 2025.

What qualifications are required to apply for this internship?

To be eligible, you must be a second or third-year law student in good academic standing with a GPA of at least 3.0, be a U.S. citizen or owe permanent allegiance to the U.S., and successfully complete a background investigation.

Is there a minimum number of work hours required for the internship?

Yes, the internship requires a minimum commitment of 10-15 hours per week for 8 to 10 weeks.

Will the internship be paid?

No, the internship is uncompensated, but course credit and/or work-study credit may be available depending on your school's requirements.

What materials do I need to submit with my application?

You must submit a cover letter, resume, current law school unofficial transcript or proof of enrollment, and one legal writing sample (5 pages or more).

What type of work will I be doing as a Law Student Volunteer?

You will perform legal research and writing, draft various legal documents, assist with witness preparation, depositions, and hearings or trials, and have opportunities to meet members of the judiciary and representatives of federal agencies.

Is a background check required for this position?

Yes, a background investigation is required due to the sensitive nature of the work performed by the office.

Where is the internship located?

The internship is located at 1441 Main Street, Columbia, SC 29201, United States.

What kind of legal areas will I be exposed to during the internship?

You will have the opportunity to work in various criminal and civil areas, including narcotics, public corruption, healthcare fraud, employment discrimination, medical malpractice, and more.

Are international students eligible to apply for this internship?

No, only U.S. citizens or those who owe permanent allegiance to the United States are eligible to apply.

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Mission & Purpose

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.