Volunteer Law Intern

Turn your legal writing and research skills into real federal impact as a Volunteer Law Intern with The United States Attorney's Office! We are currently soliciting applications to support the Civil and/or Criminal Division for the 2026 Fall Semester. For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorneys' Offices, visit www.justice.gov/usao/. As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement.

Duties

Overview of the United States Attorney's Office - Northern District of Indiana - With a talented workforce of over 100,000 people, the mission of the Department of Justice is to uphold the rule of law, keep our country safe, and protect civil rights. The U.S. Attorney's Office (USAO) for the Northern District of Indiana is one of 94 USAOs in the nation.The United States Attorney's Office Law Internship Program provides an exciting opportunity and insight into the federal legal system and receive an introduction to federal procedures in both the civil and criminal settings. Interns will work with several different Assistant U.S. Attorneys (AUSAs) over the course of the semester. Typical duties of the interns may include:

• Performing legal research and/or assisting with research projects;
• Drafting legal documents including motions, pleadings, or briefs;
• Assist in trial preparations;
• Observe court proceedings; and
• In limited instances, may be allowed to represent the government in routine hearings under the supervision of an AUSA before various federal courts.

The primary goal of the program is to introduce interns to the federal legal system, to develop their legal skills and above all, to enjoy their overall internship experience.

Applicants will be asked to indicate which division(s) they wish to be considered for when submitting their online application. Applicants will be notified when their applications have been reviewed/referred for further consideration.

Applicants will be required to work on-site at the branch location selected a minimum of 10 hours per week. This is not a remote opportunity.

Salary

• $0

Conditions of Employment

• You must be a United States Citizen or National.
• You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement.
• You must be enrolled at least as a half-time student and in good academic standing with an accredited law school.
• You must submit a transcript or proof of enrollment with your application.
• You will be required to complete a pre-employment security investigation and background check.

Qualifications

Students must have completed at least one full semester with an accredited law school at the beginning of the current academic term. Preference will be given to second and third-year law students.

Education All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see www.ed.gov. OR FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. You must show proof the education credentials have been deemed to be at least equivalent to that gained in a conventional U.S. education program. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence when applying. For special instructions pertaining to foreign education and a list of organizations that can evaluate foreign education, see the Department of Education website. If you are qualifying on foreign education, you MUST submit proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency. Transcripts must be uploaded with your application to verify education. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation. Other Information Payment of relocation expenses will not be authorized. A Benefits Package is not authorized for this position. Residency Requirements: You must have resided in the United States for a total of three years (not necessarily consecutive years) of the past five years immediately prior to applying for a position. You must have: 1) resided in the United States; 2) worked for the U.S. overseas in a federal or military capacity, or 3) been a dependent of a federal or military employee serving oversees. The Residency Requirement ensures an adequate background investigation can be completed. Veterans' Preference - If you are entitled to Veterans' Preference, you must indicate the type of preference you are claiming by checking the appropriate box in the assessment questionnaire to indicate your preference and submit the required veterans' preference documentation as specified in the, "Required Documents" section of this vacancy announcement. EEO Statement: The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of 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 factor. Political Appointees (Current or Former): The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C or Non-Career SES employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the HR Office. Failure to disclose this information could result in disciplinary action including removal from Federal Service. Required Documents

You must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

• Online Application Questionnaire: This is completed automatically when clicking "Apply Online" for this announcement.
• Cover Letter: Should include a personal statement reflecting your background and your interest in participating in this program.
• Resume: Please include employment history, dates of employment (MM/DDDD), education history, volunteer activities, and awards/achievements (scholastic/professional).
• Proof of enrollment or unofficial college transcripts: Current Unofficial transcript or proof of current enrollment, e.g., recent letter from the registrar's office. Should clearly show the name of the academic institution, grades for completed coursework, cumulative GPA, and current academic standing. In addition, first year law students should include any undergraduate transcripts.
• Current Legal Writing Sample: Should be no longer than 20 pages.

Incomplete or late applications will NOT be considered. All application materials must be submitted via the USAJOBS website by the closing date of the announcement. No hard copy or emailed documents will be accepted.Current or Former Political Appointees: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office by providing a copy of your applicable SF-50, along with a statement that provides the following information regarding your most recent political appointment:

• Position title;
• Type of appointment (Schedule A, Schedule C, Non-career SES, or Presidential Appointee);
• Agency; and
• Beginning and ending dates of appointment.

How to Apply

To apply for this position, you must complete the occupational questionnaire and submit the documentation specified in the Required Documents section above.

The complete application package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 06/01/2026 to receive consideration.

1. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJOBS account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJOBS resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire.

2. Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package. (It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation are submitted prior to the closing of this announcement.