What are the responsibilities and job description for the Law Student Volunteer, Criminal Division, Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (2025) position at U.S. Department of Justice?
The Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section (MLARS) leads the Department's asset forfeiture and anti-money laundering enforcement efforts. MLARS provides leadership by: (1) prosecuting and coordinating complex, sensitive, multi-district, and international money laundering and asset forfeiture investigations and cases; (2) providing legal and policy assistance and training to federal, state, and local prosecutors and law enforcement personnel, as well as to foreign governments; (3) assisting Departmental and interagency policymakers by developing and reviewing legislative, regulatory, and policy initiatives; and (4) managing the Department's Asset Forfeiture Program, including distributing forfeited funds and properties to appropriate domestic and foreign law enforcement agencies and to community groups within the United States, as well as adjudicating petitions for remission or mitigation of forfeited assets.
For more information, please visit MLARS' website at https://www.justice.gov/criminal-mlars.
As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.
Our law student volunteers work directly with our trial attorneys on cutting-edge issues relating to section cases involving domestic and international asset forfeiture, money laundering, kleptocracy, and criminal violations of the Bank Secrecy Act and IEEPA. Assignments will vary but may include legal research, drafting pleadings and motions, analyzing policy issues, and drafting section publications. Law student volunteers also may participate in local section-sponsored training, as well as training programs offered by the Department for volunteers.
Law student volunteers must work a minimum of 8 weeks (10 weeks preferred), full-time or part-time (at least 20 hours/week).
Please submit via e-mail a cover letter (including dates available and reasons for applying to MLARS), resume, transcript (official or unofficial), a brief writing sample (no more than 10 pages), and two references.
Application materials should be e-mailed to MLARS.Hiring@usdoj.gov. Please include your name and "Law Student Volunteer Application" in the subject line.
Please see application deadlines below.
2025 Internships:
Summer 2025 – November 1, 2024 for 2L's and December 1, 2024 for 1L's
Fall 2025 – May 1, 2025
2026 Internships:
Spring 2026 – October 1, 2025
Summer 2026 – November 1, 2025 for 2L’s and December 1, 2025 for 1L’s
Fall 2026 – May 1, 2026
Interviews will be on a rolling basis and will generally be conducted by telephone. Offers will be made on a rolling basis.
Volunteer (without compensation). Academic or work-study credit possible.
