Legal Volunteer Intern - Civil Division, Enforc...

Closing Date: 15th February, 2027

Description:

About the Office:
The Enforcement & Affirmative Litigation (EAL) Branch of the Civil Division safeguards Americans' health, safety, economic security, and data privacy through proactive enforcement and high-impact affirmative litigation. The Branch's mission is to bring affirmative litigation to enforce federal laws and regulations, enjoin actions that conflict with or violate federal law, obtain declaratory judgments regarding the laws of the United States, and seek monetary penalties where appropriate.

The Branch is structured into two sections: an Enforcement Section that pursues cases under key consumer protection and public-safety statutes, and an Affirmative Litigation Section that files lawsuits to ensure nationwide compliance with federal law against state, local, or private actors.

Job Description:
The EAL Branch is seeking qualified law students for volunteer internships during Summer 2027 to support the Enforcement Section and the Affirmative Litigation Section.

The Enforcement Section enforces consumer protection laws that safeguard consumers' health, safety, economic security, data privacy, and identity integrity. The Section tackles some of the most urgent enforcement challenges facing consumers, including harmful opioid products, unsafe food and drugs, deceptive trade practices, and data privacy violations. The Section investigates unlawful conduct and pursues enforcement actions nationwide. Recent cases include suits targeting sellers and distributors of unapproved vaping devices and 7-OH products, a suit against a company for failing to report dangerous and defective tools that injured hundreds of consumers, and injunction actions targeting entities that manufacture, sell, or distribute adulterated, unsafe, or deficiently labeled food, medical devices, and drugs. The Section also brings enforcement actions against some of the world's largest corporations for unfair and deceptive practices that trap consumers in online subscriptions, collect and retain children's personal information, and engage in deceptive data privacy practices.

The Affirmative Litigation Section represents the United States by filing lawsuits against states, municipalities, and private entities that interfere with or obstruct federal policies, ensuring nationwide compliance with the U.S. Constitution and federal law. Lawsuits often involve claims that state and local laws are preempted by federal law or unlawfully regulate or discriminate against the federal government. The Section also prepares statements of interest or amicus briefs in cases in which the United States is not a party but nonetheless has a vested interest. The Section's work touches on a wide range of issues impacting American consumers, including artificial intelligence, affordability, energy independence, public benefits, consumer goods, immigration, and public safety..

Law Student Volunteers work closely with Branch attorneys and gain hands‑on experience with federal investigations and litigation. Areas of exposure may include:

• Opioid distribution and prescribing practices
• Unsafe or misbranded food, drugs, and medical devices
• Unfair and deceptive trade practices
• Data privacy and identity protection
• Hazardous consumer products
• Litigation involving state or local interference with federal functions

Responsibilities may include:

• Conducting legal research on issues arising in the Branch's litigation matters
• Drafting memoranda, briefs, and case summaries
• Supporting case preparation, factual investigations, discovery, and trial preparation
• Attending and observing case-team meetings, conferences with opposing counsel, court hearings, dispositions, and trials
• Participating in presentations with Branch attorney
• Taking part in Department-wide training programs and intern events designed to support professional development

All work must be performed in person at the Washington, DC office. Remote work is not permitted.

Qualifications:

• U.S. citizenship
• 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
• Enrolled at least half-time in an accredited U.S. law school
• Successful completion of a background investigation
• Ability to commit to 40 hours per week for 8-10 weeks, in-person at our Washington, DC office (remote work is not permitted)

Note: 3Ls, law school graduates, and LL.M. graduates are not eligible to apply.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong interest in government enforcement work and public service
• Demonstrated legal research, writing and analytical skills
• Ability to manage and prioritize multiple assignments
• Professionalism, reliability and a strong work ethic

Attention to detail:
Application Process:

• Submit the following required application materials in a single PDF file titled LastName_FirstName_Summer2027 to CPB.lawintern@usdoj.gov with the subject line: “EALB Summer 2027 Legal Intern Application”:
• Cover letter
• Resume (not to exceed two pages)
• Legal writing sample (not to exceed 10 pages)
• Law school transcript (unofficial is acceptable)

In both your transmittal email and the first paragraph of your cover letter, clearly state which term you are applying for (e.g., Summer 2027).

Additional Information:

• Per NALP guidelines, 1L students may not apply until December 1, 2026.
• Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.
• Please do not apply if you will not be available for the full internship period.
• Selected candidates will be required to complete security forms and a background investigation.
• All work must be performed in the Washington, DC office; remote work is not permitted

Salary:
Positions are unpaid. Interns may receive academic credit or funding through external programs such as Federal Work Study, if applicable. Interns may also receive funding from their own law school (e.g., externship stipends, cost-of-living grants, or school-administered fellowships). Transit subsidy available for in-person commuting.

Private Funding Prohibition: Interns may not receive private funding, stipends, or compensation from non-federal third-party sources (law firms, foundations, outside sponsors, etc.) during or for their internship tenure with the Civil Division. This prohibition does not apply to funding received from the intern's own law school.
4
Not required
Not provided

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