Law Student Volunteer, Civil Division, National...

Closing Date: 31st March, 2026

Description:

About the Office:
The National Courts Section is a litigating component of the Civil Division of the U.S. Department of Justice. Its primary mission is to protect taxpayer dollars in lawsuits brought against the United States Government. The Section handles a wide variety of cases involving government contracts, international trade and tariff matters, constitutional claims, government pay and personnel suits, and veterans' and other benefits appeals before the United States Court of Federal Claims, the United States Court of International Trade, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (the “national courts”).

In a sense, the National Courts Section serves as the “U.S. Attorney” in these specialized national courts. Because these courts exercise nationwide jurisdiction, Section attorneys often travel outside of Washington, DC for trials and other proceedings. The National Courts Section also handles occasional matters in other federal district and circuit courts, as well as in administrative tribunals, providing attorneys and interns with exposure to a broad range of federal litigation practice.

Job Description:
Law student volunteers will have the opportunity to engage in substantive legal work supporting the National Courts Section's mission of protecting taxpayer dollars in lawsuits brought against the United States. Interns work alongside Civil Division attorneys on assignments that closely parallel the Section's routine legal work and contribute directly to active matters in the “national courts.”

Responsibilities may include:

• Researching and drafting appellate briefs for cases
• Preparing dispositive trial court motions (for example, motions to dismiss pursuant to Rule 12(b) and motions for summary judgment pursuant to Rule 56)
• Researching and drafting legal memoranda on a wide range of substantive and procedural issues
• Assisting attorneys in all phases of litigation, including motions practice, discovery, mediation, and trial preparation
• Attending depositions, moot courts, oral arguments, hearings, mediations, and meetings with client agency counsel and opposing counsel, as schedules permit

Qualifications:

• U.S. citizenship or national status
• Must be a current first or second year law student (current 1L, rising 2L, or current 2L rising 3L)
• Completion of at least one year of law school by the start date of the internship
• Current 1Ls must have completed their first year before the internship begins
• Must be enrolled at least half-time in an accredited law school program
• Must be in excellent academic standing (the office evaluates the applicant's full background and experience)
• Successful completion of a background investigation
• Enrollment status must be maintained throughout the duration of service
• Must commit to a work schedule of at least 40 hours per week for 10 weeks during the Summer 2026 term

Preferred Qualifications:

• Top third of law school class preferred
• Strong legal research and writing skills
• Interest in federal litigation

Salary:
Positions are unpaid. Interns may receive academic credit or funding through external programs such as Federal Work Study, if applicable. Transit subsidy available for in-person commuting. Snacks are provided.

Number of Positions
10-12

Travel:

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