U.S. Department of State, Office of Legal Adviser, Summer Intern Program & Work Study Extern Program
The Office of the Legal Adviser furnishes advice on all legal issues, domestic and international, arising in the course of the Department’s work. This includes assisting Department principals and policy officers in formulating and implementing the foreign policies of the U.S., and promoting the adherence to, and development of, international law and its institutions as a fundamental element of those policies.
Summer Program: The Office typically selects about twelve highly qualified second-year law students to participate in its Summer Intern Program. This provides a unique opportunity for students interested in public service and foreign affairs to become acquainted with the work of the Office, as well as the Department (and to demonstrate their legal skills and acumen). Summer interns are normally given the same level of work as junior attorney-advisers. Interns are ordinarily assigned to two offices that they serve consecutively to ensure that they receive as broad an exposure as possible to the various facets of the Office’s practice within the time allowed. Interns are encouraged also to take advantage of special summer programs and activities sponsored by the Department, the Federal Bar Association, the Department of Justice, and others.
The Office’s summer intern program is highly competitive. Outstanding academic achievement, relevant international experience and/or extracurricular activity, and demonstrated professional potential are important factors in the selection process. Consideration is given only to U.S. citizens. The Office is flexible in allowing students to schedule students’ internships any time between May and September with a minimum of six weeks of employment.
All applicants must submit a complete resume, including a law school transcript, together with a list of at least three professional references. Applications should be submitted as early as possible in the fall and must in any event be received no later than September 1 of the second year. Applications submitted without a law school transcript will not be considered. Successful applicants will be notified around December 15, but their participation is conditional upon eligibility for receipt of a Secret-level security clearance. Interns receive no pay and the U.S. Government defrays none of their personal expenses. Interns will be requested to provide a statement affirming that the institution permits participation in such a program.
Students should be aware that all materials produced while working in the Office are considered U.S. Government property and permission to use them for other purposes must be obtained from the proper authority at the Department of State. Students are subject to all requirements relating to retention or use of classified information (whether written or not) obtained in the course of employment.
Work Study Extern Program: The Office typically accepts five to 10 highly qualified second or third-year law students as full-time or part-time “work-study externs” in the fall and spring semesters. Externs receive no pay and the U.S. Government defrays none of their personal expenses.
This Program provides an unparalleled opportunity for intensive involvement in a particular area of the Office’s work. Externs generally assume the same level of responsibility as summer interns and are expected to work between twenty and forty hours per week, the specific hours to be agreed upon prior to employment. Externs are typically assigned to one section of the Office, but may have the opportunity to work in several areas of the Office’s practice. The academic requirements of the sponsoring institution are considered in the selection of assignments and projects, but the student should expect to invest a considerable amount of personal time outside the Office to accomplish projects assigned by the institution.
Externs, like interns, must be eligible to receive a Secret-level security clearance. Only U.S. citizens are considered for the program. Academic excellence, relevant experience, and professional promise are important factors in the selection process. Applications for externship during the fall semester must be received no later than the preceding March 31, and for the spring semester no later than the preceding May 31 (since all externs must be continuing students, third-year candidates typically are considered only for the fall semester). All applicants must submit a comprehensive resume, law school transcript, and two letters of recommendation from faculty members or officials of the sponsoring institution. Externs will be requested to provide a statement affirming that the institution permits participation in such a program.
Students should be aware that all materials produced while working in the Office are considered U.S. Government property and permission to use them for other purposes must be obtained from the proper authority at the Department of State. Students are subject to all requirements relating to retention or use of classified information (whether written or not) obtained in the course of employment.
Fir additional information and opportunities, please visit the website.