Closing Date: 14th November, 2026
Description:
About the Office:The Tucson branch of the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Arizona has primary responsibility for prosecuting federal crimes occurring in and relating to Southern Arizona. Law student interns will work in-office and handle research and writing projects from the office's Criminal and Appellate Divisions:
Criminal Division : Assistant U.S. Attorneys working in the Criminal Division prosecute violations of the federal criminal code including: narcotics trafficking crimes, violent crimes occurring on the Indian reservations and federal facilities, such as military bases and prisons, located in southern Arizona (including homicides, child abuse, sex offenses and bank robberies), white collar crimes (including mortgage fraud, tax fraud, money laundering), crimes affecting the national security of the United States (including weapons smuggling, commercial airplane travel, and terrorism) and crimes particularly prevalent in the southwest border states (including illegal reentry, drug smuggling, alien smuggling, and human trafficking).
Appellate Division: Assistant U.S. Attorneys working in the Appellate Division research and write appellate briefs and conduct oral argument on behalf of the United States before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. They also provide legal advice to the attorneys in the Civil and Criminal Divisions and help draft pleadings of first impression. In addition to working on appellate briefs, law clerks may be invited to attend and actively participate in moot courts that are conducted in-house prior to every Ninth Circuit oral argument.
Job Description:
While being mindful oEnrolled in an ABA-accredited law school and be a rising 2L or 3L. Graduates cannot be considered for this particular posting, per DOJ policy. Must also be a U.S. citizen, per DOJ. Strong grades and excellent research and writing skills. Completion of courses in Evidence and in Criminal Law or Procedure are a plus, but not required. A background check must be completed upon acceptance of the clerkship offer because of the sensitive nature of the work performed by the United States Attorney's Office. Prior criminal arrests and/or convictions, illegal drug or alcohol use, and tax issues could disqualify the student. Regarding summer applicants, those who are available for at least 10 weeks during that semester are preferred due to the expenses involved in the background checks.e opportunity to assist with court and trial preparation. Clerks may also have the opportunity to help draft appellate briefs filed with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Law clerks are encouraged to watch federal court proceedings, especially trials and sentencings, attend in-house legal trainings, and explore federal practice and procedure one-on-one with AUSAs.
Successful applicants should: 1) be proactive self-starters who are interested in working in a fast-paced environment offering a variety of opportunities and experiences; 2) have solid research and writing skills; and 3) have a demonstrated interest in public service, particularly including experience working in a prosecution office. Clerks will be given assignments in as many different practice areas and with as many different attorneys as possible, providing exposure to a number of subject matters and styles of practice. Additionally, interested individuals participating in the Summer Clerkship Program will have the opportunity to have fully guided behind the scenes tours of a port of entry facility along the U.S./Mexico border, as well as of a federal prison.
Qualifications:
Enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school. Graduates cannot be considered for this particular posting, per DOJ policy. Must also be a U.S. citizen, per DOJ policy. Strong grades and excellent research and writing skills. Completion of courses in Evidence and in Criminal Law or Procedure are a plus, but not required. A background check must be completed upon acceptance of the clerkship offer because of the sensitive nature of the work performed by the United States Attorney's Office. Prior criminal arrests and/or convictions, illegal drug or alcohol use, and tax issues could disqualify the student.
Application Process:
Applications should be e-mailed to Ms. Sarah Precup at sarah.precup@usdoj.gov. Applications should include the following materials, all in one consolidated PDF file: (a) cover letter and résumé, (b) law school transcript, (c) legal writing sample (10 pages or less, please), (d) dates of availability, and (e) telephone number(s) where the applicant can be reached.
Salary:
Law student intern/externships are unpaid, and interns/externs will not receive benefits; however, the office will work with law schools that offer academic course credit and/or stipends to their students.
