For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorneys' Offices, visit http://www.justice.gov/usao or https://www.justice.gov/careers. For more information on the United States Attorney's Office, Western District of North Carolina, visit https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdnc As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement. These positions are located in the following locations: Asheville, North Carolina Charlotte, North Carolina
Current law students: 1Ls (rising 2Ls in summer 2026), and 2Ls (rising 3Ls in summer 2026). Eligibility: Any law student enrolled at least half-time, and who has completed at least one semester of law school from an accredited institution is eligible for a volunteer legal internship. Part-time law students and joint-degree candidates may also apply for volunteer internship positions. Law school graduation terminates eligibility for volunteer positions except for graduate law (LL.M.) students who are enrolled at least half time and not practicing law. Student Status: Definition of a student - applicant must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment in an accredited high school, technical or vocational school, two-year or four-year college or university, graduate/professional school, or certificate program equivalent to at least one academic year of full-time study (go to http://www.ed.gov/accreditation to verify accreditation status) pursuant to 5 CFR 362. You must be considered in good academic standings by the school. Individuals must be taking at least a half-time academic, vocational, or technical course load leading to a degree, diploma, or certificate. "Half-time" is defined by the school in which the student is enrolled. Grade Point Average: You must have at least a 2.5 GPA. Citizenship: Student Interns must be United States citizens or owe permanent allegiance to the United States. (Currently, natives of American Samoa, Swains Island and certain inhabitants of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are the only groups that owe permanent allegiance to the United States.) Background Investigation: Prior to entry on duty, all interns must undergo a suitability/fitness determination based on information provided in their pre-employment paperwork. Volunteer Legal Intern/Extern Agreement: All interns are required to sign the Department-wide agreement established by OARM (will be completed later during the security process if selected). Drug Testing: It is the policy of the Department of Justice to achieve a drug-free workplace. Employing offices have the discretion to require drug testing for volunteer legal interns.
Selected candidates will be assigned work from the criminal and civil divisions. Our goal is to introduce law students to the federal system and litigation involving the United States. We strive to assist students in developing their legal research and writing skills. Students will perform legal research and writing; draft various pleadings, motions, briefs, and other documents; and assist with witness preparation, depositions, and hearings or trials. Students will also be provided with several opportunities to meet members of the judiciary, representatives of various federal agencies, and to participate in substantive programs to familiarize them with the federal legal system. The Criminal Division may give students an opportunity to work on a wide variety of practice areas, including narcotics, public corruption, healthcare fraud, cybercrimes, terrorism, and other federal crimes. Within the Civil Division, students may work in a wide variety of defensive and affirmative litigation, including employment discrimination, medical malpractice, general torts, constitutional torts, immigration, prisoner litigation, commercial, financial, and civil fraud. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress. The internship will begin approximately in May and last a minimum of 10 to 12 weeks until August. There is a required background check because of the sensitive nature of the work performed by our office. The United States Attorney's Office is a Drug Free workplace.