Spring 2027 Law Student Externship

Hiring Organization

USAO Eastern District of Virginia

Hiring Office

Newport News, Richmond, Norfolk, and Alexandria

Location:

Newport News, Richmond,Norfolk, Alexandria, VA - United States

Application Deadline:

Wednesday, October 28, 2026

About the Office

The mission of the U.S. Attorney’s Office is to enforce federal law and defend the United States, consistent with the priorities of the Attorney General and the United States Attorney, recognizing the value and dignity of all people and the importance of strong relationships with the members of the judicial and law enforcement communities.

The Civil Division is responsible for defending civil actions brought against the federal government, taking affirmative civil actions to recover government money lost to fraud, and enforcing civil rights statutes. The Criminal Division is responsible for prosecuting cases arising from a vast array of federal criminal offenses.

The locations of each of our division offices and additional information can be found at www.usdoj.gov/usao/vae.

Job Description

This is an uncompensated law student externship for spring 2027. The program will start in January 2027 and conclude in May 2027. Assignments are primarily research and writing, but externs are responsible for assisting attorneys with all aspects of case preparation, including researching legal issues, drafting pleadings, interviewing witnesses, and providing trial support.

Living accommodations and parking will not be provided. Applicants should contact their law schools about receiving class credit or a public interest stipend.

Qualifications

Applicants must be U.S. citizens and second- or third-year students actively enrolled in an accredited law school throughout the spring 2027 semester. Offers are contingent on the selected applicants successfully completing a background review.

Application Process

Please submit three PDF files as described below:

• The first should include a cover letter and resume, each no longer than a single page, in a single combined PDF attachment using the filename format LastnameFirstname (e.g., SmithJane.pdf).
• The second PDF should include a writing sample of no greater than 15 pages in a single combined PDF using the filename format LastnameFirstnameWritingSample (e.g., SmithJaneWritingSample.pdf).
• The third PDF should include your current law school transcript using the format LastnameFirstnameTranscript.

Additional materials (including references) may be requested during interviews, which will be conducted on a rolling basis as soon as applications are reviewed.

Applications must be emailed to the following individuals:

• Newport News Division: (Criminal Only): [email protected]
• Richmond Division (Criminal Only): [email protected]
• Norfolk Division (Criminal Only): [email protected]
• Alexandria Division (Civil and Criminal): [email protected]

Application Deadline and Interview Process—Applications must be received by Wednesday, October 28, 2026. Applicants will only be contacted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for additional information or to schedule an interview, not to confirm receipt of your application.

Salary

This is an uncompensated law student externship for spring 2027.