VOLUNTEER LEGAL INTERN POSITIONS AVAILABLE

The Environment and Natural Resources Division litigates in five key areas: pollution, lands and natural resources, wildlife, Indian resources, and land acquisition. Attorneys represent many federal agencies by preparing and arguing civil and criminal enforcement cases, appeals, and by defending challenged federal agency actions arising from well over 100 federal environmental laws. Cases are at the cutting edge of environmental protection. The Division’s work protects our environment for future generations.

Location:

P.O. Box 7754
Ben Franklin Station
Washington, D.C. 20044-7754

ATTN: BJ Parker
Fax: (202) 616-3362
E-mail: applyintern.enrd@usdoj.gov (Application via e-mail highly preferred)
Applications will be acknowledged by e-mail upon receipt.

Projected No. of Volunteers:

50 - Available positions vary according to semester and location. Our Environmental Enforcement Section hires for volunteer summer positions only through job fairs held around the country. Students should contact Joe Hurley at Joseph.Hurley@usdoj.gov for a list of dates and fairs that EES attends.

Internship Locations(s): Washington, D.C.; Denver, CO; San Francisco, CA; Sacramento, CA; Boston, MA; Seattle, WA; (openings vary at each site).

Application Materials:

Submit a resume (which includes your country of citizenship), a cover letter stating location preference(s) and hours/days available, a writing sample, a copy of your most recent transcript (official or unofficial), and three references with contact information (letters of recommendation not required).

Qualifications:

First-year (second-semester), second-year and third-year law students are eligible to apply. Joint degree and LL M students are also eligible to apply, provided they meet the eligibility requirements set forth below. First-year, first-semester law students may apply after December 1st for internships the following summer. The Department follows the National Association of Law Placement guidelines that prohibit employer contact with first-year (first-semester) students regarding summer employment prior to that date. Law students may work in volunteer positions only while attending law school. Law school graduation terminates eligibility, except for graduate law students enrolled at least half time and who are not practicing law. Prefer students with strong academic qualifications, research and writing skills and who have an interest in litigation, environmental law, and/or public interest law. Applicants must successfully complete a security clearance prior to appointment.

Annual Application Deadline:

Decisions are made on a rolling basis
April 1 for Fall (September-December)
September 1 for Spring (January-April
January 1 for Summer (May-August)

Minimum Weeks Required: Summer – 8 weeks (full summer strongly preferred). School year – complete semester or quarter.

Salary: Volunteer (without compensation) or work-study credit only.

Assignments:

Assignments will vary. In general, interns assist the Division’s trial lawyers in preparing cases for filing and supporting the litigation effort post-filing, and assist the Division’s appellate lawyers in researching issues on appeal. Responsibilities typically include conducting legal research, drafting motions, discovery, and memoranda of law dealing with a variety of federal environmental and natural resource issues. The Division handles cases covering a broad spectrum of issues including the protection of endangered species and civil and criminal enforcement of federal pollution control laws. An internship provides an outstanding opportunity to work on cutting edge issues of environmental law.

The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Candidates must successfully complete a security clearance prior to appointment.