OGC Summer Honors Legal Internship Program

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

There are few, if any, offices that can provide law interns the diversity of practice areas and experiences that are available as an OGC Honors Legal Intern. The Summer Honors Legal Internship Program is an exciting, highly competitive, paid summer program for first- and second-year law students in the Office of the DoD General Counsel. Interns will have the opportunity to gain exposure to a broad variety of practice areas over a ten-week period. DoD OGC generally hires 10-12 summer honors legal interns.  1L students typically serve at the GS-7 paygrade, while 2L students serve at the GS-9 paygrade.

DUTIES

Interns are given considerable flexibility in their assignments. There are substantial opportunities to develop legal research and writing skills by working closely with senior DoD OGC attorneys and paralegals. Interns assist in drafting and commenting on legislation, regulations, Congressional testimony, litigation materials, and legal opinions. Interns also assist with developing DoD legal policy on high-profile topics of current importance to the Department. Interns also have the unique opportunity for site visits and engagements, such as at the U.S. Supreme Court, with the Senate Armed Services Committee, to military bases, and the Defense agencies and DoD field activities – all intended to allow the interns to experience the breadth of the practice of law in the Department of Defense.

Each intern is assigned to a specific division within DoD OGC; and, if interested, also works with and receives assignment(s) from attorneys from other OGC divisions, as mission and time permit.

Interns are assigned to the following divisions/offices, based on their practice area interests and mission requirements:

  • Acquisition & Logistics
  • Energy, Environment, and Installations
  • Fiscal
  • Information Counsel
  • Intelligence
  • International Affairs
  • Personnel & Health Policy
  • Legal Counsel
  • Legislation, Investigations & Oversight
  • Litigation Counsel
  • Standards of Conduct Office

HOW TO APPLY

To apply for this position, the following documents are required:

  1. Cover letter. Indicate why you would like to serve as an intern at OGC. The cover letter should provide more detailed information on your interest in the program (list the OGC sub-offices you would prefer).
  2. Resume. Include relevant experience such as prior experience with DoD or another Federal agency, legal work experience, volunteer experience and extracurricular activities.
  3. Writing Sample. A legal memorandum or a legal brief is preferred. Submission of the entire memorandum or brief, as opposed to a shortened version is preferred.
  4. Undergraduate Transcripts. An unofficial transcript may be submitted as part of the initial application, but an official transcript or equivalent document will be required before a final offer is made.
  5. Letter of Proof of Current Law School Enrollment. Statement from the institution's registrar, dean, or other appropriate official stating that you are a current law student.
  6. Law School Transcripts (for second-year students only). An unofficial transcript may be submitted as part of the initial application, but an official transcript or equivalent document will be required before a final offer is made.
 
ADDITIONAL APPLICATION MATERIALS (if applicable):
  1. Graduate Transcripts. If your resume mentions graduate school (other than your current law school), please include a copy of the transcript from that school (an unofficial transcript is acceptable).
  2. Documentation of Veteran Status. Selectees with prior military service are required to submit photocopies of their DD 214(s), Certificate(s) of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, covering all periods of military service.
  3. Relatives Employed by DoD. Applicants who have family members employed by OSD or the Joint Staff must specify in their application materials the organizational entity/entities in which they are employed.

You can apply at the following location: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/816901800

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

You are eligible to apply if you are:
  1. A U.S. citizen.
  2. Able to successfully complete a background investigation and maintain a security clearance.
  3. Able to pass a drug testing.
  4. A first- or second-year law student.

KEY DATES

First-year law students:
  • Application period opens:  November 1, 2024
  • Application period closes:  December 15, 2024
Second-year law students:
  • Application period opens:  July 15, 2024
  • Application period closes:  September 15, 2024 (CLOSED)