Volunteer Law Clerk (Summer 2026)

Full Job Description

The United States Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Florida (NDFL) represents the federal government in virtually all litigation involving the United States in the Northern District of Florida, which spans 23 counties in the Florida Panhandle and Big Bend.

Positions are located in Gainesville, Pensacola, and/or Tallahassee.

Required Qualifications: To be eligible for this internship ALL of the following requirements must be met: Student Status: Acceptance of applications for this announcement will be limited to second and third-year law students.

An eligible student is an individual enrolled in law school pursuing a Juris Doctor degree.

Successful candidates must have outstanding academic records, superior writing skills and be in good academic standing at his/her university. 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.

You must meet all qualification requirements upon the closing date of this announcement. Major Duties:

This legal internship opportunity offers highly qualified law students an immersive experience in federal legal practice, including criminal prosecutions for violations of federal law, civil lawsuits by and against the U.S.

government, and actions to collect judgments and restitution on behalf of victims and taxpayers.

Legal interns can expect daily interaction with Assistant United States Attorneys in the criminal, civil, and/or appellate divisions, and substantive assignments related to pending cases.

Legal interns will gain practical experience in the application of the Federal Rules of Civil and Criminal Procedure, the Federal Rules of Evidence, the local rules of practice for the Northern District of Florida District Court, and the local and Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure.

Assignments include, but are not limited to, drafting responsive motions, dispositive motions, memorandum of law, and appellate briefs.

The interns become familiar with the Federal Rules of Civil and Criminal Procedure, the Federal Rules of Evidence, the local rules of practice for the Northern District of Florida District Court, and the local and Federal rules of Appellate Procedure.

In addition, interns may attend depositions, meetings with Agents, and accompany attorneys to observe court proceedings.

Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress. As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement