Job Title
Law Student Volunteer, Spring 2026
Job Responsibilities
The Law Student Volunteer role is part of the **Members Only**, a litigating component of the Department of Justice (DOJ) dedicated to promoting the integrity and efficiency of the bankruptcy system. The USTP operates nationally with 21 regions and 89 field offices, providing administrative, regulatory, and enforcement oversight in bankruptcy cases. The program addresses both multi-jurisdictional misconduct and local matters affecting the bankruptcy system's integrity.
Office of the General Counsel Interns will:
- Conduct research and assist attorneys across four specialized 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 legal matters concerning the Ethics, Freedom of Information Act, Privacy Act, and Administrative Procedures Act.
- Observe Congressional hearings and prepare summaries for senior leadership.
- Work in-person at the Executive Office for . Trustees (EOUST) headquarters in Washington, DC.
Field Office Interns will:
- Assist attorneys in preparing for bankruptcy court appearances and developing bankruptcy fraud referrals.
- Address attorney misconduct and 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, and 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 must be rising second or third-year law students with excellent research and writing skills. They should demonstrate attention to detail, a desire to work in a small professional team, and a commitment to fairness and integrity in the bankruptcy system. This position is particularly suited for students interested in bankruptcy, litigation, administrative law, policy, and legislation.
Interns are expected to commit to 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.
Application Process
Applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, current law school transcript, and a legal writing sample (no more than 10 pages) via email in a single PDF file. They must indicate their interest in specific Executive or field offices in the email subject line and cover letter. The USTP field office locator is available on the Department of Justice's website.
The application period for the Spring 2026 session ends on August 31, 2025. Applications will be reviewed upon receipt, and positions may be filled before the final deadline.
Salary Information
This is an uncompensated student volunteer position. However, academic credit and transit subsidies may be available as specified.
Department Policies
The United States government prohibits employment discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, military service, or other non-merit factors.
The agency provides reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation are made on a case-by-case basis.
The Department encourages qualified applicants with disabilities to apply. Qualified applicants with targeted/severe disabilities may be eligible for direct hire under Schedule A hiring authority. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact the Department's Disability Points of Contact to express interest in being considered for a position.
The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits inquiries about an applicant's criminal history before a conditional offer of employment, unless otherwise required by law.
Employment is contingent upon passing a drug test and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation. Only . citizens are eligible for employment, with rare exceptions for . citizens meeting specific criteria.
Veterans' preference eligibility is considered positively in attorney hiring, and applicants eligible for veterans' preference must include supporting documentation in their submissions.
Assistant United States Attorneys must reside in the district to which appointed or within 25 miles thereof.
Additional information on attorney vacancies and volunteer legal internships can be found on the Department of Justice's website.
