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U.S. Department of Justice

You must be a U.S. citizen, enrolled half-time in law school, completed at least one semester, and available 35 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. Strong research, writing skills, and teamwork are essential. 

You will assist with legal research, writing assignments, discovery, deposition prep, and trial prep while attending moot courts and engaging with attorneys on various cases.

Legal

Washington

<div></div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><div><b>Hiring Organization</b></div>
<div><div>Civil Division (CIV)</div>
</div></div><div><div><b>Hiring Office</b></div>
<div><div>CONSTITUTIONAL &amp; SPECIALIZED TORT LITIGATION/BIVENS</div>
</div></div></div><div><div><div><div><b>Location:</b></div>
175 N Street N.E.<br>
Washington , DC 20002 - United States
</div></div></div></div><div><div><b>About the Office</b></div>
<div><div><p>The Constitutional Torts Staff represent current and former federal officials at all levels of government nationwide. Our office is one of the few in which a government attorney enters into a traditional attorney-client relationship with the employees that we represent, with all the responsibilities that imposes. Our clients range from line-level employees to senior policymakers with cabinet rank. In addition to defending federal employees who are sued in their personal capacities, Constitutional Torts Attorneys also represent the United States and its agencies when both the government and individual employees are sued. The vast majority of cases we handle involve claims for damages against federal employees who are personally sued for alleged constitutional violations under <i>Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics</i>, 403 U.S. 388 (1971), but our attorneys are also responsible for other cases involving individual liability, including common law and state tort suits, federal statutory claims, and professional licensing matters. For example, the Supreme Court in <i>Tanzin v. Tanvir</i>, 592 U.S. 43 (2020), recently held that federal employees may be subject to personal damages liability for alleged violations of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Our cases are complex and usually involve cutting-edge or novel questions of constitutional law and official immunity. The subject matter of our work is as broad and varied as the work of the federal government itself. And while our practice focuses on dispositive motions, it also includes all aspects of civil defensive litigation, including discovery and taking cases to trial. Additional information about the Constitutional Tort Litigation Section is available at: http://www.justice.gov/civil/constitutional-specialized-tort-litigation-section.</p></div>
</div></div><div><div><b>Job Description</b></div>
<div><div><p>Interns are an integral part of the Constitutional Torts team. They gain exposure to many aspects of defensive civil litigation on behalf of the government and its employees. We ensure that interns have the opportunity to work with many attorneys and are assigned to work on a variety of cases and projects during their internship. Interns are assigned numerous legal research and writing assignments and are expected to produce first-rate legal memoranda as well as sections of motions or briefs. Interns may also be asked to assist with written discovery, deposition preparation, and trial preparation. Our interns are encouraged to attend moot courts and to provide feedback to attorneys preparing for oral arguments. The ability to attend moot courts, mock trials, depositions, and other experiential activities are subject to those events being scheduled during the time-period of the internship. We strive to provide our interns with a professionally meaningful experience that is tailored to their goals. Interns are expected to work in-person and onsite in Washington, DC.</p><p><b>
Candidates for the summer internship are expected to be full-time (i.e., at least 35hrs/week).</b></p></div>
</div></div><div><div><b>Qualifications</b></div>
<div><div><p>Applicants must be enrolled at least half-time and have completed at least one-semester of law school. Rising second- and rising third-year law students are encouraged to apply. Unfortunately, graduates are not eligible for this position. Superior research and writing skills, an eye for detail, and a desire to work as part of a small team of professionals are essential. Excellent opportunity for students with a background or interest in litigation, constitutional law, tort law, law enforcement, immigration, and national security issues. Must be a U.S. Citizen. Summer interns must be able to commit to a minimum of 35 hours per week for 8-12 weeks.</p></div>
</div></div><div><div><b>Application Process</b></div>
<div><div><p>Applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, current law school transcript, and 5-10 page legal writing sample via email to Evelyn.Kennedy@usdoj.gov. The cover letter should be addressed to &quot;Evelyn Kennedy.&quot; All four documents should be in PDF format. If possible, it is preferred that all documents be sent in a single, combined PDF.</p><p><b>
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis before and after the application deadline</b>.</p><p>
Applicants who have not received grades for the prior fall semester (e.g., 1L applicants) may apply during the application window and then follow-up by email <i>as soon as possible </i>with their fall semester grades. It is the responsibility of the applicant to send grades in a timely manner for their application to be considered complete.</p></div>
</div></div><div><div><b>Salary</b></div>
<div><div><p>Uncompensated but eligible for transit subsidy and work-study, as well as academic course credit (depending on school requirements).</p></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p>

Hiring Organization
Civil Division (CIV)
Hiring Office
CONSTITUTIONAL & SPECIALIZED TORT LITIGATION/BIVENS
Location:
175 N Street N.E.
Washington , DC 20002 - United States
About the Office
The Constitutional Torts Staff represent current and former federal officials at all levels of government nationwide. Our office is one of the few in which a government attorney enters into a traditional attorney-client relationship with the employees that we represent, with all the responsibilities that imposes. Our clients range from line-level employees to senior policymakers with cabinet rank. In addition to defending federal employees who are sued in their personal capacities, Constitutional Torts Attorneys also represent the United States and its agencies when both the government and individual employees are sued. The vast majority of cases we handle involve claims for damages against federal employees who are personally sued for alleged constitutional violations under Bivens v. Six Unknown Named Agents of the Federal Bureau of Narcotics, 403 U.S. 388 (1971), but our attorneys are also responsible for other cases involving individual liability, including common law and state tort suits, federal statutory claims, and professional licensing matters. For example, the Supreme Court in Tanzin v. Tanvir, 592 U.S. 43 (2020), recently held that federal employees may be subject to personal damages liability for alleged violations of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act. Our cases are complex and usually involve cutting-edge or novel questions of constitutional law and official immunity. The subject matter of our work is as broad and varied as the work of the federal government itself. And while our practice focuses on dispositive motions, it also includes all aspects of civil defensive litigation, including discovery and taking cases to trial. Additional information about the Constitutional Tort Litigation Section is available at: http://www.justice.gov/civil/constitutional-specialized-tort-litigation-section.
Job Description
Interns are an integral part of the Constitutional Torts team. They gain exposure to many aspects of defensive civil litigation on behalf of the government and its employees. We ensure that interns have the opportunity to work with many attorneys and are assigned to work on a variety of cases and projects during their internship. Interns are assigned numerous legal research and writing assignments and are expected to produce first-rate legal memoranda as well as sections of motions or briefs. Interns may also be asked to assist with written discovery, deposition preparation, and trial preparation. Our interns are encouraged to attend moot courts and to provide feedback to attorneys preparing for oral arguments. The ability to attend moot courts, mock trials, depositions, and other experiential activities are subject to those events being scheduled during the time-period of the internship. We strive to provide our interns with a professionally meaningful experience that is tailored to their goals. Interns are expected to work in-person and onsite in Washington, DC.
Candidates for the summer internship are expected to be full-time (i.e., at least 35hrs/week).
Qualifications
Applicants must be enrolled at least half-time and have completed at least one-semester of law school. Rising second- and rising third-year law students are encouraged to apply. Unfortunately, graduates are not eligible for this position. Superior research and writing skills, an eye for detail, and a desire to work as part of a small team of professionals are essential. Excellent opportunity for students with a background or interest in litigation, constitutional law, tort law, law enforcement, immigration, and national security issues. Must be a U.S. Citizen. Summer interns must be able to commit to a minimum of 35 hours per week for 8-12 weeks.
Application Process
Applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, current law school transcript, and 5-10 page legal writing sample via email to Evelyn.Kennedy@usdoj.gov. The cover letter should be addressed to "Evelyn Kennedy." All four documents should be in PDF format. If possible, it is preferred that all documents be sent in a single, combined PDF.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis before and after the application deadline.
Applicants who have not received grades for the prior fall semester (e.g., 1L applicants) may apply during the application window and then follow-up by email as soon as possible with their fall semester grades. It is the responsibility of the applicant to send grades in a timely manner for their application to be considered complete.
Salary
Uncompensated but eligible for transit subsidy and work-study, as well as academic course credit (depending on school requirements).

U.S. Department of Justice

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