Closing Date: 2nd November, 2026

Description:

General Job Information
The Ruff Fellowships are named in honor of Charles F.C. Ruff, who was the District of Columbia Corporation Counsel (the position now known as Attorney General) from 1995 to 1997. Mr. Ruff was a dedicated public servant and, before his death in 2000, also served as the United States Attorney for the District of Columbia and White House Counsel to President Bill Clinton. Recipients of this prestigious fellowship will serve a one-year term in the Office of the Attorney General for the District of Columbia (“OAG”) beginning in January 2027. Many Ruff Fellows go on to become full-time attorneys at OAG following completion of the fellowship.

The Office of the Attorney General protects and serves the citizens of the District of Columbia by providing legal representation of the highest quality. OAG represents the District in defensive civil and constitutional litigation, including torts, contract, civil rights, and class action cases; affirmative litigation in areas including antitrust law, environmental law, and wage theft; appeals of civil and criminal judgments; child abuse and neglect cases; adult criminal and juvenile delinquency proceedings; antifraud and consumer protection matters; civil enforcement of regulations; housing and community development; real estate and land use issues; child support enforcement; employment law; domestic violence and mental health matters; public works and utilities matters; and reviews of legislation and rulemaking. For more information about OAG, please visit http://oag.dc.gov.

Ruff Fellows serve as lawyers in one of OAG's components: Immediate Office of the Attorney General; Civil Litigation Division; Public Advocacy Division; Legal Counsel Division; Office of the Solicitor General; Commercial Division; Public Safety Division; Family Services Division. Information about these components is available on OAG's website. Placement decisions are at the discretion of the Attorney General, but the candidate's preferences will be considered.

Selection criteria include excellent oral and written communication skills, effective interpersonal skills, and a commitment to public service. NOTE: Service as a Ruff Fellow is conditioned upon membership in good standing in a state bar and passage of the Multistate Professional Responsibility Examination. Candidates who take an out-of-state bar exam must be sworn into a bar by the start date of January 11, 2027. Offers will be rescinded for candidates who are not admitted to a bar as of the start date. DC admission is not required for fellowship, but if seeking employment beyond fellowship DC licensure is mandatory. No exceptions to these requirements will be made.

Fellowship Salary: Approximately $69,080/year for the January 2027 – January 2028 Ruff Fellowship. The fellowship includes benefits and may qualify for Loan Repayment Assistance Program. However, applicants should confirm with their respective laws schools if Loan Repayment Assistant is available.

To apply: Submit a resume, cover letter (stating interest in specific components, if applicable), transcript, list of references, and writing sample. Please submit your application as one PDF, with a file name that includes your name and law school. Letters of recommendation will be accepted, but are not required, and should be sent by the recommender directly to oag.internship@dc.gov. All applicants must adhere to the requirements of their respective law school to remain under consideration.

Application deadline: November 2, 2026. Interviews will be conducted in mid-November and offers will be made by mid-November. The fellowship begins on January 11, 2027.