Summer Internships
The United States Attorney's Office offers unpaid summer internships for students in law school. The internship program is ten weeks long and begins shortly after Memorial Day. Interns are assigned to work on either criminal or civil matters, although it is usually possible to work on both types of cases during the summer if that is desired.
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.
Interns also attend training sessions in which they learn relevant skills and hear from various participants in criminal justice system. The speakers include judges and staff members of this office. When possible, the office also sponsors field trips to locations (such as prisons and local courthouses) relevant to the prosecution of criminal cases.
The office participates in work study programs but does not provide any matching funds.
If you have questions about the program or the application process described below, please call Assistant United States Attorney Richard W. Goldberg at 215-861-8200.
Requirements
To be hired, an applicant must be:
- currently enrolled in a law school
- a United States citizen
- selected by the internship 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 summer internship program is open to all currently enrolled law students (1st year, 2nd year, 3rd year attending at night or part time). It is not open to those who have already graduated law school.
Applications consist of a cover letter and a resume (a resume submitted
through a law school placement office is also sufficient). If
not submitted through a law school placement office, applications
must be post-marked or hand delivered no later than January 26,
2009 to:
Richard W. Goldberg
Assistant U.S. Attorney
615 Chestnut Street
Suite 1250
Philadelphia, PA 19106
- Applications submitted by e-mail will not be considered.
- The internship committee selects candidates to interview from the resumes submitted.
- Candidates who are interviewed are asked to provide at the interview a law school transcript and writing sample.
- Candidates selected by the committee must provide information for a Federal Bureau of Investigation background check.
- Final approval for all applicants is then obtained from the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C.
The United States is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Benjamin Franklin Photo by B. Krist for the Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation