**Job Title**
Law Student Volunteer, Spring 2026
**Job Responsibilities**
The Law Student Volunteer will be working with the **Members Only**, a component of the Department of Justice (DOJ) that focuses on maintaining the integrity and efficiency of the bankruptcy system. The program consists of 21 regions with 89 field offices and possesses broad administrative, regulatory, and enforcement authority in bankruptcy cases. The responsibilities of the Law Student Volunteer are divided between the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) and Field Offices:
- **Office of the General Counsel Interns**: Interns will conduct research and assist attorneys in various practice groups including Appellate, Chapter 11, Consumer, and General and Administrative. Tasks involve drafting and editing memoranda, USTP guidance and policy papers, court pleadings, and appellate briefs. Interns may participate in moot courts, work on 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.
- **Field Office Interns**: Interns will assist attorneys with preparing for bankruptcy court appearances, developing bankruptcy fraud referrals, addressing attorney misconduct, screening cases for debtor abuse, reviewing documents in chapter 7, 11, and 13 cases, and drafting and filing motions and objections. Interns will also monitor section 341 meetings between debtors and creditors, provide litigation support, and attend bankruptcy hearings and 341 meetings. Internships may be available for academic credit as determined by the field office.
**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, work effectively as part of a team, and be committed 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 are generally expected to commit to 10 to 16 hours per week for at least 10 weeks, from September to December. Specific hours are determined by each office, with some flexibility available. Applicants must be . Citizens.
**Salary Information**
The internship is an uncompensated volunteer position. However, academic credit and transit subsidies may be available.
**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. All documents should be compiled into one PDF. Applicants must indicate their preference for the Executive Office or any field office in the email subject line and cover letter. Multiple office preferences can be designated. The application deadline for the Spring 2026 session is August 31, 2025. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and positions may be filled before the deadline.
**Department Policies**
The United States government is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on various factors such as race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, etc. The Department provides reasonable accommodation for applicants with disabilities, and determinations are made on a case-by-case basis. The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act restricts inquiries into an applicant's criminal history until a conditional offer of employment is made. The Department aims to maintain a drug-free workplace, and employment is contingent upon passing a drug test and satisfactory background investigation.
The Department of Justice considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference should include this information in their application and attach supporting documentation. Non-citizens may apply for certain positions if they meet specific criteria, though such appointments are rare.
Additional details about the application process and department policies can be found on the Department of Justice's website.
