Hiring Organization
Criminal Division (CRM)
Hiring Office
Office of Enforcement Operations (OEO)

Location:
Washington, DC - United States
About the Office

The Criminal Division’s FOIA and Privacy Unit processes requests for Criminal Division records pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Privacy Act (PA), including requests that become the subject of litigation. The FOIA work of this office regularly includes searches for records and the application of FOIA exemptions to those records, particularly FOIA exemptions related to privacy, civil discovery privileges, and law enforcement information. FOIA requests in litigation involve negotiations to resolve or narrow issues. From time to time, if issues cannot be resolved through negotiations, outstanding issues would go to briefing.

Job Description

Legal interns will be responsible for research/writing projects on diverse, complex legal issues in highly sensitive matters, working under the supervision of OEO attorneys.

Qualifications

All applicants must be United States citizens and currently enrolled in law school. Applicants must have a strong academic background, excellent writing skills, experience or a demonstrated interest in criminal law and/or a commitment to public service, and mature judgment.

Because of the sensitive nature of the work, an offer of a position as a law student intern is contingent upon successful completion of a suitability review and a favorable determination based on information provided in their security forms, a credit report, and fingerprint check.

Application Process

This office considers applications from law students each Fall and Spring to serve as volunteer/unpaid legal interns.

Qualified law students should submit an application package in PDF form including the following: cover letter describing your interest in an internship with the FOIA and Privacy Unit; resume (not to exceed 2 pages); most recent available academic transcript; writing sample; two references.

Application packets should be emailed to OEO Applications (OEO.Applications@usdoj.gov) and should indicate the semester for which you are applying (Fall or Spring).

Please submit all applications by the following deadlines:
Applications for Fall internships must be submitted by June 12, 2026;

Applications for Spring internships must be submitted by November 6, 2026.

Salary

Volunteer (without compensation). Academic or work-study credit possible.