Job Description
Hiring Organization
USAO District of Colorado
Hiring Office
District of Colorado
Location: 1801 California St
Denver, CO 80202 - United States
About the Office
This vacancy announcement is for an unpaid law student internship at the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Colorado. We seek law student interns for summer, 2026. While the application period closes on February 21, 2026, the application period may close at anytime once a sufficient number of selections are made. Accordingly, apply as soon as possible following the instructions below.
The United States Attorney's Office for the District of Colorado represents the United States and its agencies in civil and criminal litigation before the United States District Court for the District of Colorado and on appeal before the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. The office prosecutes federal criminal offenses, litigates affirmative and defensive civil law suits, and collects judgments and restitution for victims and taxpayers
Job Description
Working at the USAO-District of Colorado offers law students the chance to be mentored by some of the best lawyers in the country. As a law clerk, you will work directly with the Assistant United States Attorneys from divisions across the office on complex legal issues in interesting civil and criminal cases. Your responsibilities will include conducting legal research, drafting memorandum, briefs, and other substantive written work product, and performing factual investigation. You’ll also have opportunities to observe court proceedings, sit in on depositions, and attend moots. The USAO-District Of Colorado is an extremely collegial, mission-driven environment, and our internship programs provide real professional experience.
Qualifications
The District of Colorado is seeking outstanding candidates for legal internships to assist in our mission. The start and end dates are negotiable, but we ask that our interns commit to at least 6weeks of service.
To be eligible for an internship, ALL of the following requirements must be met:
Law Student Status: Acceptance of applications for this announcement will be limited to first-year (second semester), second-year, and third-year law students. Law school graduates are noteligible for law student volunteer positions. An eligible student is an individual who is enrolled inlaw school pursuing a Juris Doctor Degree and is taking at least half-time academic course loadin an accredited university. Successful candidates must have outstanding academic records, superior writing skills, and be in good academic standing at their university.
Citizenship: 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: You must successfully complete a background investigation to determine your suitability for Federal employment.
Volunteer Agreement: All interns are required to sign the Participant Agreement (will be completed later during the security process if selected).
Application Process
Positions are filled on a rolling basis based on the schedule below. Send your complete application to the Law Clerk Committee at usaco.internships@usdoj.gov.
Application packages must include: (1) a cover letter (letter must indicate that you’re applying for the spring position),
(2) resume- Consistent with Executive Order 14170 and the Merit Hiring Plan, starting September 27, 2025, federal agencies will only accept resumes up to two pages in length. This requirement applies to DOJ attorney and volunteer legal intern vacancies.
(3) a law school transcript or proof of law school enrollment.
Additionally, applicants may, if they choose, address this voluntary question briefly in their cover letter:
Because the mission of the U.S. Attorney’s Office covers everyone in Colorado, rich and varied perspectives among the office’s members contribute significantly to that mission. The varied values, interests, experiences, and aspirations of AUSAs, law clerks, and staff help shape how we carry out that mission. How might your unique values, interests, experiences, or aspirations contribute to the mission of the U.S. Attorney’s Office?
(No answer to this question is required, and there is no penalty for not including an answer to this question in a cover letter.)
Application documents should be submitted in PDF format. Vacancies will close when positions are filled or by 11:59p.m. (MST) of the application deadlines below, whichever comes first.
Salary
None. This is a volunteer position and is uncompensated. Course credit and/or work-study credit are possible depending on school requirements.
Job Tags
Permanent employment, Summer work, Internship, Work at office, Immediate start,