Summary
The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia is distinct among U. S. Attorney's Offices due to the breadth and scale of its work. It acts as both the local and the federal prosecutor for the nation's capital. Locally, it handles cases ranging from misdemeanor drug possession to murders, while federally, it handles cases ranging from child pornography to gangs, financial fraud, and terrorism. The Office also represents the district in civil suits.
Responsibilities
The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia is unique in the size and the scope of its work. It serves as both the local and the federal prosecutor for the nation's capital. On the local side, AUSAs assigned to the Superior Court Division prosecute cases in the Superior Court of the District of Columbia ranging from misdemeanors to homicides, and appeals of those convictions are argued in the District of Columbia Court of Appeals (DCCA). On the federal side, AUSAs assigned to the Criminal Division prosecute federal crimes in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, and appeals of those convictions are argued in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. AUSAs assigned to the Appellate Division argue the direct appeals of all criminal convictions in both the local and federal Courts of Appeal. AUSAs in the Special Proceedings Division handle post-trial litigation involving habeas claims, record sealing, and other requests for extraordinary relief in the trial courts. The Civil Division further defends the United States in civil suits brought in the District of Columbia. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia is seeking second and third year law students for our unpaid Spring Internship Program, which runs from January 11, 2027 to April 30, 2027. Law Student Interns will be responsible for drafting various legal documents such as responsive motions, dispositive motions, memoranda of law, and appellate briefs. They will also gain familiarity with the Federal Rules of Civil and Criminal Procedure, the Federal Rules of Evidence, the local rules of practice for the District of Columbia Court, and the local and Federal rules of Appellate Procedure. Interns may also attend dispositions and meetings with agents and accompany attorneys to observe court proceedings. Responsibilities increase and assignments become more complex as training and experience progress. This internship experience provides unique exposure to the inner workings of the criminal justice system and participants receive invaluable mentorship from some of the nation's best litigators. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress. For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorneys' Offices, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement.
Qualifications
To be eligible for this internship ALL of the following requirements must be met: Citizenship: Student Interns must be United States citizens or owe permanent allegiance to the United States. (Currently, natives of American Samoa, Swains Island and certain inhabitants of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are the only groups that owe permanent allegiance to the United States.)Background Investigation: You must successfully complete a background investigation to determine your suitability for Federal employment. Qualification requirements as outlined below. Acceptance of applications for this announcement will be limited to rising second and third-year law students. An eligible student is an individual enrolled in law school pursuing a Juris Doctor degree. Successful candidates must have outstanding academic records, superior writing skills, and be in good academic standing at his/her university. Candidates must have at least a 3.0 GPA, or a GPA that ranks you in the top half of your class.
Education
All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at an institution that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see http://www.ed.gov. Foreign Education Note: You may use foreign education to meet qualification requirements if you send a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency in with your transcript. It is your responsibility to timely provide such evidence by submitting proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency with your application materials. More information may be found at http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.