Law Student - Government in Buffalo, NY

Government

Buffalo, NY

Law Student - Government in Buffalo, NY

Law Student

No

Job Title

Law Student Volunteer, Spring 2026

Job Responsibilities

The Law Student Volunteer position with the **Members Only** offers a unique opportunity for law students to gain experience in bankruptcy law and the broader legal framework of the Department of Justice (DOJ). The USTP is a litigating component of the DOJ, tasked with promoting integrity and efficiency within the bankruptcy system. Interns will be placed either in the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) or in one of the 89 field offices across the country.

Office of the General Counsel Interns:
- Conduct research and assist attorneys in four legal practice groups: Appellate, Chapter 11, Consumer, and General and Administrative.
- Draft and edit memoranda, USTP guidance and policy papers, court pleadings, and appellate briefs.
- Participate in moot courts to prepare attorneys for trial.
- Work on matters related to Ethics, the Freedom of Information Act, Privacy Act, and Administrative Procedures Act.
- Observe Congressional hearings and prepare summaries for senior leadership.
- Work is conducted in-person at the Executive Office for . Trustees (EOUST) in Washington, DC.

Field Office Interns:
- Assist attorneys in preparing for bankruptcy court appearances.
- Develop bankruptcy fraud referrals and address attorney misconduct.
- Screen cases for debtor abuse of the Bankruptcy Code.
- Review documents in Chapter 7, 11, and 13 cases.
- Assist with drafting and filing motions and objections as appropriate.
- Monitor Section 341 meetings between debtors and creditors.
- Provide litigation support to attorneys and attend bankruptcy hearings and 341 meetings.

Education and Experience Information

Candidates for the Law Student Volunteer position must be rising second or third-year law students with strong research and writing skills, attention to detail, and a commitment to fairness and integrity in administering the bankruptcy system. The role is ideal for students with a background or interest in bankruptcy, litigation, administrative law, policy, and legislation.

Interns must generally commit to working 10 to 16 hours per week for at least 10 weeks, from September to December. Specific hours will be determined by each office, with some flexibility available. Applicants must be . citizens.

Salary Information

The position is an uncompensated student volunteer role. However, academic credit and transit subsidies may be available, as specified by the respective office.

Application Process

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, current law school transcript, and a legal writing sample (no more than 10 pages) via email in one PDF document. Applicants must indicate their interest in being considered for either the Executive Office or any field office in both the email subject line and their cover letter. The application period for the Spring 2026 session ends on August 31, 2025, but positions may be filled before the deadline.

Department Policies

The United States government is committed to equal employment opportunities and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors. The Department provides reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities and encourages qualified individuals with disabilities to apply. Veterans' preference is considered a positive factor in hiring, and applicants eligible for veterans' preference should include relevant information and documentation in their application.

Additional Considerations

- Travel is not required for this position.
- Relocation expenses are not available.
- . citizens are generally not eligible for employment, with few exceptions.
- Employment is contingent upon passing a drug test and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation.
- The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act limits inquiries into an applicant's criminal history until a conditional offer of employment is made. Complaints regarding violations of this act can be submitted within 30 days of the alleged non-compliance.

This position provides a valuable opportunity for law students to engage with the legal processes of bankruptcy and gain practical experience within a federal agency.