What are the responsibilities and job description for the Tucson Student Volunteer | Spring - Summer - Fall | Civil - Appellate position at U.S. Department of Justice?
TUCSON, AZ 85701 - United States
The Tucson branch of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona has primary responsibility for prosecuting federal crimes occurring in and relating to Southern Arizona. Law student clerks will attend on-site and handle research and writing projects from the offices of Criminal, Civil, and Appellate Divisions:
Criminal Division : Assistant U.S. Attorneys working in the Criminal Division prosecute violations of the federal criminal code including: narcotics trafficking crimes, violent crimes occurring on the Indian reservations and federal facilities, such as military bases and prisons, located in southern Arizona (including homicides, child abuse, sex offenses and bank robberies), white collar crimes (including mortgage fraud, tax fraud, money laundering), crimes affecting the national security of the United States (including weapons smuggling, commercial airplane travel, and terrorism) and crimes particularly prevalent in the southwest border states (including illegal reentry, drug smuggling, alien smuggling, and human trafficking).
Appellate Division: Assistant U.S. Attorneys working in the Appellate Division research and write appellate briefs and conduct oral argument on behalf of the United States before the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. They also provide legal advice to the attorneys in the Civil and Criminal Divisions and help draft pleadings of first impression. In addition to working on appellate briefs, law clerks may be invited to attend and actively participate in moot courts that are conducted in-house prior to every Ninth Circuit oral argument.
Civil Division: Assistant U.S. Attorneys working in the Civil Division handle an extensive volume of cases, including defending the actions of federal agencies, handling Freedom of Information Act and Privacy Act cases, defending medical malpractice actions and employment discrimination claims, and defending Federal Tort Claims Act cases. Attorneys also represent federal law enforcement officers. The Civil Division handles bankruptcy matters, and contains the Financial Litigation Unit, which handles collections on behalf of the government.
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.
While being mindful of the office’s inherent confidentiality guidelines, law clerks will conduct legal research and draft motions and pleadings filed in U.S. District Court and will have the opportunity to assist with court and trial preparation. Clerks may also have the opportunity to help draft appellate briefs filed with the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals. Law clerks are encouraged to watch federal court proceedings, especially trials and sentencings, attend in-house legal trainings, and explore federal practice and procedure one-on-one with AUSAs.
Successful applicants should: 1) be proactive self-starters who are interested in working in a fast-paced environment offering a variety of opportunities and experiences; 2) have solid research and writing skills; and 3) have a demonstrated interest in public service, particularly including experience working in a prosecution office. Clerks will be given assignments in as many different practice areas and with as many different attorneys as possible, providing exposure to a number of subject matters and styles of practice. Additionally, interested individuals participating in the Summer Clerkship Program will have the opportunity to have fully guided behind the scenes tours of a port of entry facility along the U.S./Mexico border, as well as of a federal prison.
Enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school and be a rising 2L or 3L. Graduates cannot be considered for this particular posting, per DOJ policy. Must also be a U.S. citizen, per DOJ. Strong grades and excellent research and writing skills. Completion of courses in Evidence and in Criminal Law or Procedure are a plus, but not required. A background check must be completed upon acceptance of the clerkship offer because of the sensitive nature of the work performed by the United States Attorney’s Office. Prior criminal arrests and/or convictions, illegal drug or alcohol use, and tax issues could disqualify the student. Regarding summer applicants, those who are available for at least 10 weeks during that semester are preferred due to the expenses involved in the background checks.
Applications should be e-mailed to Ms. Sarah Precup at sarah.precup@usdoj.gov.
Applications should include the following materials, all in one consolidated PDF file:
(a) cover letter and résumé
(b) law school transcript
(c) legal writing sample (10 pages or less, please)
(d) dates of availability
(e) telephone number(s) where the applicant can be reached.
Application Deadlines for each semester – no later than:
Summer: March 1st; Fall: May 15th; Spring: October 15th
The clerkships are unpaid, and clerks will not receive benefits; however, the office will work with law schools that offer academic course credit and/or stipends to their students.
