Job Title
Law Student Volunteer, Spring 2026
Job Responsibilities
Office of the General Counsel Interns: Interns in the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) are tasked with coordinating, directing, and developing legal policies, procedures, and litigating positions for the **Members Only** in enforcing the Bankruptcy Code. Their responsibilities include conducting research and assisting attorneys across four specialized legal practice groups: Appellate, Chapter 11, Consumer, and General and Administrative. Interns may be involved in drafting and editing memoranda, USTP guidance and policy papers, court pleadings, and appellate briefs. They might also participate in moot courts to prepare attorneys for trial, handle matters related to Ethics, Freedom of Information Act, Privacy Act, and Administrative Procedures Act, observe Congressional hearings, and prepare summaries for senior leadership. Interns are required to work in-person at the Executive Office for . Trustees (EOUST) in Washington, DC, and academic credit may be available.
Field Office Interns: Field office interns assist attorneys in preparing for bankruptcy court appearances, developing bankruptcy fraud referrals, addressing attorney misconduct, and screening cases for debtor abuse of the Bankruptcy Code. They review documents in chapter 7, 11, and 13 cases, assist with drafting and filing motions and objections as appropriate, and monitor section 341 meetings between debtors and creditors. Field Office interns may provide litigation support to attorneys, attend bankruptcy hearings, and 341 meetings. Internships may be available for academic credit, as determined by the individual field office.
Education and Experience Information
Candidates must be rising second or rising third-year law students. They should have excellent research and writing skills, attention to detail, a desire to work as part of a small team of professionals, and a commitment to fairness and integrity in the administration of the bankruptcy system. This opportunity is ideal for students with a background and interest in bankruptcy, litigation, administrative law, policy, and legislation. Interns must generally commit to 10 to 16 hours per week for at least 10 weeks, from September to December, with specific hours determined by each office. Flexibility is available. Applicants must be . Citizens.
Salary Information
The position is an uncompensated student volunteer role. However, academic credit and transit subsidies may be available.
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, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors.
The agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. Requests for reasonable accommodation will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Qualified applicants with disabilities, including those with targeted/severe disabilities, are encouraged to apply and may be eligible for direct hire under Schedule A (5 . § )) hiring authority.
The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits inquiries about an applicant's criminal history before a conditional offer of employment. Violations can be reported within 30 days to the hiring office.
A drug-free workplace policy is enforced, requiring candidates to pass a drug test screening for illegal drug use. Employment is contingent upon satisfactory completion of a background investigation. Generally, non-citizens are not employed within the United States, except under specific exceptions. . citizens' appointments are rare and subject to strict security requirements. Applicants with dual citizenship will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Veterans' preference is considered positively in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference should include this information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation. The "point" system is not used, but applicants eligible for a 10-point preference must submit Standard Form (SF) 15 and required supporting documentation.
Note: Assistant United States Attorneys must reside in the district to which appointed or within 25 miles thereof, as per 28 . 545.
