Summer 2026 Legal Intern (Juris Doctorate)

Full Job Description

The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts (AO) is seeking motivated students for Student Internship Program.

This opportunity offers meaningful work experience, professional development, and prepares students for a potential career in public service.

Interns benefit from networking with fellow interns, AO staff, and professionals across the federal government. This opportunity is ideal for students interested in federal service.

All students in the Student Internship Program must be enrolled or accepted for enrollment as a degree-seeking student, taking at least a half-time academic or technical course load in an accredited 2 year or 4 year program, or in a post-secondary level program.

Students must also be in good academic standing, maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Additional Qualification Requirements: In addition to meeting the basic qualification requirements, applicants must also: Work well in a team environment.

Have strong research, writing, analytical, and communication skills. Be detail-oriented and have initiative to see projects through completion.

Have a working knowledge of computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and Microsoft SharePoint. Have a working knowledge of legal research platforms such as Westlaw and LexisNexis.

Be able to organize a variety of assignments simultaneously and meet tight deadlines. The Student Internship Program requires all participants to be active students.

Therefore, third year law students graduating at the end of the current semester will not be considered unless they are continuing to pursue advanced studies as a degree-seeking student at the beginning of the next semester.

Major Duties:

This internship position is in the Office of General Counsel (OGC).

OGC provides legal counsel and services to the Director and AO staff, the Judicial Conference and its committees, and judges and staff of the U.S. Courts.

All internship opportunities are onsite at the Thurgood Marshall Federal Judiciary Building. Telework is not permitted. This specific internship will be in the Office of the General Counsel (OGC).

The intern will be exposed to a wide variety of legal practice areas, which may include employment law, financial disclosure regulations, procurement and appropriations-related matters, federal rule-making issues, judicial conduct and disability, ethics, and other legal issues related to court administration.

Duties include, but are not limited to: Researching case law, agency decisions, statutes, federal regulations, and other sources. Compiling data and drafting memoranda and other legal documents.

Cite checking and reviewing memoranda, judiciary forms, and other legal documents. Working with judicial branch employees in connection with OGC-related tasks.