Job Title:
Law Student Volunteer, Spring 2026
Job Responsibilities:
The Law Student Volunteer position at the **Members Only** involves various responsibilities depending on the office of assignment. Interns working with the Office of the General Counsel (OGC) will be involved in coordinating, directing, and developing legal policies, procedures, and litigating positions for the USTP in enforcing the Bankruptcy Code. They will conduct legal research and assist attorneys across four legal practice groups: Appellate, Chapter 11, Consumer, and General and Administrative. Duties include drafting and editing memoranda, USTP guidance and policy papers, court pleadings, and appellate briefs. Interns may also participate in moot courts, work on Ethics, Freedom of Information Act, Privacy Act, Administrative Procedures Act matters, observe Congressional hearings, and prepare summaries for senior leadership. Interns must be available to work in-person at the Executive Office for . Trustees (EOUST) in Washington, DC.
Field Office Interns will assist attorneys in preparing for bankruptcy court appearances, developing bankruptcy fraud referrals, addressing attorney misconduct, screening cases for debtor abuse of the Bankruptcy Code, reviewing documents in chapter 7, 11, and 13 cases, assisting with drafting and filing of motions and objections, and monitoring section 341 meetings between debtors and creditors. They 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 for this position must be rising second or third-year law students. They should possess excellent research and writing skills, attention to detail, and a desire to work as part of a small team of professionals. A commitment to fairness and integrity in the administration of the bankruptcy system is essential. The internship is an excellent opportunity 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. Applicants must be . Citizens.
Salary Information:
This is an uncompensated student volunteer position. Academic credit and transit subsidies may be available.
Additional Information:
The USTP is a litigating component of the Department of Justice (DOJ) with a mission to promote the integrity and efficiency of the bankruptcy system for the benefit of all stakeholders?debtors, creditors, and the public. It has broad administrative, regulatory, and enforcement authorities in bankruptcy cases, including chapter 7 and 13 consumer cases and complex chapter 11 corporate reorganizations. The USTP is uniquely positioned to address multi-jurisdictional misconduct or issues of national scope that give rise to systemic fraud and abuse, while also effectively combating local matters affecting the integrity of the bankruptcy system.
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 one PDF. Applicants must indicate their interest in being considered for employment among the listed Executive Office or any field office in the subject line of the email and within their cover letter. The application period for the Spring 2026 session ends on August 31, 2025, and positions may be filled prior to the deadline.
Department Policies:
The United States government does not discriminate in employment 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 where appropriate. Employment is contingent upon passing a drug test and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation. Only . citizens are eligible for employment with the Executive Office for Immigration Review, . Trustee’s Offices, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Veterans' preference is considered a positive factor in attorney hiring, and applicants eligible for veterans' preference should include supporting documentation with their submissions.
