Volunteer Legal Intern

Closing Date: 30th January, 2026

Description:

About the Office:
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) is a unique law enforcement agency within the United States Department of Justice (DOJ). Our mission: ATF protects America's communities by confronting violent crime driven by the illegal use of firearms, explosives, and acts of arson. Our special agents concentrate on identifying and dismantling illegal firearms traffickers who fuel violence by arming prohibited persons, gang members, drug cartels, illegal aliens, and terrorist organizations. Through advanced Crime Gun Intelligence (NIBIN, firearms tracing, and touch DNA), ATF partners with state and local law enforcement to investigate, identify, and prosecute violent offenders. At the same time, we safeguard lawful commerce and uphold the Constitution of the United States.

As a small agency with broad, interrelated missions involving law enforcement, regulatory, compliance, and homeland security concerns, ATF affords interns with the opportunity to experience a variety of legal disciplines in a dynamic and collegial environment.

ATF's Office of Chief Counsel provides legal advice and services to the Bureau nationwide in support of programs and operations. Headquarters attorneys are divided into four practice groups, including: Firearms and Explosives Law; General Law and Information; Litigation; and Management.

Job Description:
ATF's Office of Chief Counsel provides student interns with the opportunity to work closely with attorneys who provide legal advice to a wide array of ATF and DOJ officials on ATF's policies, programs, and enforcement operations; who review and draft potential legislation impacting ATF's authority and enforcement capabilities; and who handle affirmative, defensive, and personnel litigation for ATF. Interns can expect to research discrete legal issues, review and organize documents for litigation, draft memoranda and correspondence, and perform other tasks as required.

Volunteers will also be expected to perform effective research and analysis of legal issues relating to the following areas: criminal laws and regulatory policy governing firearms and explosives; employment law; civil litigation; fiscal law; ethics; asset forfeiture and seized property; and disclosure law.

Qualifications:
Students who have completed one full year of law school by summer 2026.

Students must be a U.S. Citizen and will be subject to a security background investigation due to the sensitive nature of the work.

Application Process:
Please submit (1) a cover letter (including dates available) expressing your interest, (2) a resume, and (3) a brief writing sample (8 page maximum), via E-mail with “Summer 2026” in the subject line to CHIEFCOUNSEL-INTERNSHIPS@ATF.GOV. Please include all materials in one PDF file.

Applications accepted on a rolling basis but must be submitted no later than January 1, 2026, for current 2L students, and by January 30, 2026, for current 1L students.

Salary:
Uncompensated, but will work with law school programs that offer academic credit.
3-5
No travel required
No relocation expenses will be authorized

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