Skip to main content

Legal Careers

Law Student Volunteer, Civil Division Commercial Litigation Branch (Fraud Section) (Fall 2025)

Hiring Organization
Civil Division (CIV)
Hiring Office
Commercial Litigation Branch (Fraud Section)
Location:
175 N Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002 - United States
Application Deadline:
About the Office

The Fraud Section of the Commercial Litigation Branch, Civil Division, represents the United States in federal district courts in civil matters brought to redress fraud against the Government. The office is at the forefront of enforcing the civil False Claims Act, one of the government's most powerful tools to combat fraud against federal programs.

Our attorneys investigate, litigate, and frequently settle multi-million dollar cases involving false claims across the full spectrum of Government programs. Many of our high-profile cases involve:

  • Healthcare fraud (Medicare and Medicaid)
  • Defense contractor fraud
  • Procurement fraud
  • Grant fraud
  • Customs fraud
  • Mortgage and financial fraud

The Fraud Section recovers billions of dollars annually for American taxpayers, working closely with U.S. Attorneys' Offices, agency Inspectors General, and whistleblowers who file suits under the False Claims Act's qui tam provisions.

More information about the Civil Fraud Section's work can be found at www.justice.gov/civil/commercial/fraud/c-fraud.html and at www.justice.gov in recent False Claims Act press releases.

Job Description

Law student volunteers will have the opportunity to engage in substantive legal work supporting the Fraud Section's mission. Responsibilities include:

  • Conducting legal research on complex fraud issues and statutory interpretation
  • Drafting legal memoranda related to active cases and investigations
  • Assisting with document review and evidence analysis in high-stakes litigation
  • Supporting investigative activities and discovery processes
  • Analyzing evidence and developing case theories alongside experienced attorneys
  • Attending team meetings, strategy sessions, and court proceedings when appropriate
  • Contributing to the preparation of complaints, motions, and briefs

Your Experience

The Civil Fraud Section seeks highly qualified interns to provide legal research and writing in support of the office's most significant cases. As an intern, you will:

  • Be integrated into one or two large case teams for the majority of your internship
  • Observe firsthand how complex fraud litigation develops from investigation through resolution
  • Work directly with trial attorneys handling billion-dollar cases
  • Gain insight into the government's fraud enforcement priorities and strategies
  • Develop essential legal skills under the guidance of experienced litigators

Mentorship & Professional Development

Each intern is assigned a dedicated Fraud Section mentor who will provide guidance throughout the internship. You'll be invited to observe attorneys in action in various settings and stages of litigation. This internship offers an exceptional opportunity to:

  • Develop sophisticated legal research and writing skills
  • Learn the inner workings of a DOJ litigation practice
  • Explore substantive areas including healthcare law, government contracting, and civil enforcement
  • Build professional relationships with career DOJ attorneys
  • Contribute meaningfully to cases that protect taxpayer dollars and government program integrity

This position is in-person only at our Washington, DC office.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

  • Must be enrolled at least half-time in an accredited law school program
  • Must have completed at least one semester of law school by the start of the internship
  • Must be a U.S. citizen or national and able to pass a background check
  • Must possess excellent research and writing skills
  • Must maintain enrollment status throughout the duration of service
  • Minimum commitment of 10 weeks with at least 15 hours per week

Preferred Qualifications

  • Demonstrated academic excellence (top 25% of class preferred)
  • Strong analytical and critical thinking skills
  • Exceptional attention to detail and organizational abilities
  • Prior experience or demonstrated interest in:
    • Healthcare law or policy
    • Government contracting
    • Complex civil litigation
    • White-collar investigations
    • Public service

Eligibility

  • First-year and second-year law students are strongly encouraged to apply
  • Third-year students enrolled for fall semester are eligible
  • Part-time law students and joint-degree candidates are eligible to apply
  • LLM students enrolled at least half-time (and not practicing law) may apply
  • Law school graduates are not eligible for this position

Work Schedule

  • Start Date: Late August/Early September 2025 (aligned with your school's calendar)
  • Duration: Full fall semester commitment required (typically 12-14 weeks)
  • Hours: Flexible scheduling within business hours (9:00am-5:30pm, Monday-Friday)
    • Part-time option: 15-20 hours/week
    • Full-time option: Available for students with appropriate academic arrangements
  • Minimum Commitment: 15 hours per week for at least 10 weeks

Work Environment

  • Location: Civil Division offices at 175 N Street NE, Washington, DC
  • Format: In-person only; telework is not permitted
  • Workspace: Dedicated intern workspace with access to legal research resources
  • Security: DOJ-issued identification required; building access provided
  • Dress Code: Business professional attire for court appearances; business casual for daily office work
  • Culture: Collaborative team environment with direct attorney interaction
Application Process
  1. Cover Letter (addressed to the Hiring Committee):
    • Explain your interest in the Fraud Section specifically
    • Highlight relevant coursework, experience, and skills
    • Indicate your availability (start/end dates and weekly hours)
  2. Resume (2 pages maximum):
    • Education, work experience, and relevant activities
    • Skills (especially research, writing, and analytical abilities)
    • Any specialized knowledge related to healthcare, contracting, or fraud
  3. Writing Sample (5-10 pages):
    • Demonstrating legal research and analytical abilities
    • Preferably on a complex legal issue
    • Should be primarily your own work (not heavily edited)
  4. Transcript:
    • Official or unofficial law school transcript
    • Undergraduate transcript (required for 1Ls, optional for others)

Submission Instructions

  • Compile all documents into a single PDF file
  • File naming convention: "LastName_FirstName_Fall2025_Fraud.pdf"
  • Email complete package to: Civil.Fraud@usdoj.gov
  • Subject line format: "Law Student Intern, Fall 2025, [Your Full Name]"

Selection Timeline

  • Application Deadline: June 1, 2025
  • Initial Review: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis
  • Interviews: Conducted in June/July 2025 (video or in-person)
  • Selections: Typically finalized by late July 2025
  • Background Check: Allow 3-4 weeks for processing

Selection Process

  • Application Deadline: June 1, 2025
  • Applications are reviewed by practicing attorneys in the Fraud Section
  • Selection criteria include academic achievement, writing ability, relevant experience, and demonstrated interest
  • Only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted (typically by mid-June)
  • Interviews focus on relevant experience, writing ability, and interest in the Fraud Section's work
  • Final selections are typically made within two weeks of interviews

Security Requirements

  • All offers are contingent upon successful completion of a security background check
  • Standard suitability/fitness determination required prior to entry on duty
  • Process typically takes 3-4 weeks after selection
  • Required forms and fingerprinting will be coordinated by HR
  • The Department reserves the right to withdraw an offer if the fitness inquiry reveals disqualifying information
Salary

This is an uncompensated volunteer position, but offers several financial and career advantages:

  • Transit subsidies available for commuting expenses
  • Academic credit eligibility (coordinate with your law school)
  • Work-study funding may be available (check with your financial aid office)
  • Externship credit opportunities at many law schools

Professional Benefits

  • Hands-on experience with federal fraud litigation in a premier DOJ component
  • Direct mentorship from experienced DOJ attorneys
  • Exposure to high-profile, complex litigation with significant public impact
  • Development of essential legal skills valued by future employers:
    • Advanced legal research techniques
    • Persuasive legal writing
    • Case strategy and development
    • Government litigation procedures
    • Document review and management
  • Networking opportunities within DOJ and the broader legal community
  • Valuable credential for future DOJ employment, judicial clerkships, and legal careers
  • Potential for strong recommendation letters from DOJ attorneys
Number of Positions
Up to 4
Travel
Not required
Relocation Expenses
N/A

Department Policies

The United States government does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service or other non-merit factor. To learn more, please visit the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency.  Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.

The Department encourages qualified applicants with disabilities, including individuals with targeted/severe disabilities to apply in response to posted vacancy announcements.  Qualified applicants with targeted/severe disabilities may be eligible for direct hire, non-competitive appointment under Schedule A (5 C.F.R. § 213.3102(u)) hiring authority.  Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact one of the Department’s Disability Points of Contact (DPOC) to express an interest in being considered for a position. See list of DPOCs.   

Unless otherwise required by law, the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits employees of the U.S. Department of Justice or a federal contractor acting on its behalf from inquiring about an applicant's criminal history record, either in writing or orally, before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint within 30 days of the date of the alleged non-compliance directly to the hiring office using the contact information listed in the announcement.

It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace and persons selected for employment will be required to pass a drug test which screens for illegal drug use prior to final appointment.  Employment is also contingent upon the completion and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation. Congress generally prohibits agencies from employing non-citizens within the United States, except for a few narrow exceptions as set forth in the annual Appropriations Act (see, https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/non-citizens/). Pursuant to DOJ component policies, only U.S. citizens are eligible for employment with the Executive Office for Immigration Review, U.S. Trustee’s Offices, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Unless otherwise indicated in a particular job advertisement, qualifying non-U.S. citizens meeting immigration and appropriations law criteria may apply for employment with other DOJ organizations. However, please be advised that the appointment of non-U.S. citizens is extremely rare; such appointments would be possible only if necessary to accomplish the Department's mission and would be subject to strict security requirements. Applicants who hold dual citizenship in the U.S. and another country will be considered on a case-by-case basis. 

There is no formal rating system for applying veterans' preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Justice considers veterans' preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans' preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., the DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation) to their submissions. Although the "point" system is not used, per se, applicants eligible to claim 10-point preference must submit Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, and submit the supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed (visit the OPM website, www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf for a copy of SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preferences and the required supporting document(s). Applicants should note that SF 15 requires supporting documentation associated with service- connected disabilities or receipt of nonservice-connected disability pensions to be dated 1991 or later except in the case of service members submitting official statements or retirement orders from a branch of the Armed Forces showing that their retirement was due to a permanent service-connected disability or that they were transferred to the permanent disability retired list (the statement or retirement orders must indicate that the disability is 10% or more).

Assistant United States Attorneys must reside in the district to which appointed or within 25 miles thereof.  See 28 U.S.C. 545 for district specific information.

 

This and other vacancy announcements can be found under Attorney Vacancies and Volunteer Legal Internships. The Department of Justice cannot control further dissemination and/or posting of information contained in this vacancy announcement. Such posting and/or dissemination is not an endorsement by the Department of the organization or group disseminating and/or posting the information.

Updated April 24, 2025