Unpaid Law Student Volunteer (Fall 2025)

The Office of Foreign Litigation (OFL) within the Commercial Litigation Branch of the Civil Division, serves a vital role within the U.S. Department of Justice, representing the U.S. government and its interests in legal proceedings in foreign courts and advising U.S. government agencies and officials on foreign and international law issues. OFL’s mission is to protect U.S. interests and U.S. sovereignty in all litigation pending in foreign courts, whether civil or criminal, affirmative or defensive. OFL’s goal is to ensure that the United States’ wide range of activities, interests, agencies, and personnel are protected and vindicated in litigation.

The Office of International Judicial Assistance (OIJA) serves as the Central Authority for the United States under the Hague Convention on the Taking of Evidence Abroad in Civil or Commercial Matters, as well as for evidence requests concerning civil or commercial matters from non-Convention States received through diplomatic channels. OIJA serves as the Central Authority under the Hague Convention on the Service Abroad of Judicial and Extrajudicial Documents in Civil or Commercial Matters, the Inter-American Convention on Letters Rogatory, and the Additional Protocol to the Inter-American Convention on Letters Rogatory for purposes of service. OIJA also executes service requests received through diplomatic channels from non-Convention States.

The OFL/OIJA Offices are accepting applications for volunteer law students for Fall 2025.

Responsibilities include:

Conducting legal research and analysis on complex international legal topics.

Drafting memoranda and reviewing Letters of Request for judicial assistance.

Evaluating judicial assistance requests for consistency with appliable treaties and preparing responses for foreign court requests.

Assisting with legal and factual research related to foreign litigation.

Preparing memoranda concerning issues arising from requests for judicial assistance in the context of foreign litigation.

Work Schedule:

Part-time: Minimum 20 hours per week.

Interns are expected to work for the full semester based on their school’s academic calendar.

Only in-person opportunities are available.

Applicants must be enrolled at least half-time and have completed at least one-semester of law school.

Open to second and third year law students.

Unfortunately, graduates are ineligible for this position.

Strong research and writing skills are required.

Completion of a basic international law course is preferred.

Ability to work in the English language is essential.

Foreign language proficiency is helpful but not required.

Must be a U.S. citizen or national and pass a background check.

Submit your application package in PDF format including:

Cover letter

Resume

Transcript (official or unofficial)

Brief writing sample

Email applications to: OFLIntern@usdoj.gov with "Fall 2025" in the subject line.

The consideration of applications and interview process will begin April 21, 2025, and will proceed on a rolling basis until all positions are filled.

Unpaid; academic or work-study credit may be available.