The Office of the Solicitor's (SOL) mission is to meet the legal service demands of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL). As the Secretary of Labor and other Department officials seek to accomplish the Department's overall mission and further specific priorities, SOL provides legal advice regarding how to achieve those goals. In doing so, SOL ensures the nation's labor laws are forcefully and fairly applied and enforced to protect the Nation's workers.

The SOL National Office at our Washington, D.C., headquarters includes nine divisions that provide program advice and litigation services to Department agencies. The divisions advise client agencies within DOL regarding regulations and legislative initiatives divisions. They are also involved in litigation in federal courts and/or before administrative law judges. About half of SOL's attorneys are located in Regional and Branch Offices across the country and are regularly engaged with litigation in federal district courts and before administrative law judges.

Male and female interns SOL's National Office divisions as well as Regional and Branch Offices often accept current law students for internships and externships. SOL provides internship/externship opportunities for those participating in designated hiring authorities, such as the Pathways Program, as well as those receiving stipends or academic credit. Interested applicants should reach out to the individual SOL Division or Regional Offices to find out more information about currently available opportunities. Opportunities under the Pathways Program or other hiring authorities are posted on USAJOBS. As a legal intern, you will perform a variety of legal assistance responsibilities including significant legal research and writing related to advice, litigation and/or rule-making projects for client agencies; and analyzing the legal impact of legislative developments, administrative and court decisions, rulings and opinions on Departmental programs. Interns may also attend meetings with DOL client agencies, other SOL divisions, and other executive agencies, as appropriate.

More information is below on specific internship opportunities and how to apply. You can find information on SOL's Diversity and Inclusion Policy here. Additionally, you can reach out directly to SOL Ambassadors to learn more about each office here.

SOL National Divisions

SOL Regional Offices

SOL National Divisions

Division of Black Lung and Longshore Legal Services (Washington, D.C.)

When is this internship?: Summer 2025.

When to apply:

  • Applications for Summer 2025 are due Friday, January 31, 2025.

Background:

The Black Lung and Longshore Legal Services Division (BLLLS) supports the Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) in administering the Black Lung Benefits Act and the Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation Act and its extensions. These federal statutes afford benefits to certain workers who are injured or die as a result of their employment, and to the survivors of those workers.

Our attorneys represent OWCP in appellate litigation before DOL’s Benefits Review Board and the U.S. Courts of Appeals, advise OWCP on legal issues that arise in administering the statutes, prepare regulations implementing the statutes, and enforce the payment of benefits by liable employers or their insurers.

Interns work with attorneys on projects in all of these areas. Projects could include:

  • Researching and analyzing legal issues and writing legal memos
  • Drafting appellate briefs
  • Helping attorneys prepare for oral arguments before the U.S. Courts of Appeals
  • Assisting with the drafting of program regulations
  • Helping litigate an enforcement case against a liable employer or insurer

What we look for:

The ideal candidate has experience or a sincere interest in public service. Subject matter experience is not required. We look for research and writing skills, academic achievement, and a positive and collaborative work ethic.

We will consider work location (in-person/hybrid vs. remote) on a case-by-case basis.

Qualifications:

  • U.S. Citizen or authorized to work in the U.S.
  • Law student in good academic standing
  • Must receive academic credit or be paid, through a scholarship or school program externship, a stipend of $15.00/hour

How to apply:

Please email your cover letter, resume, writing sample (not to exceed 10 pages), current transcript (an unofficial copy is fine), and a list of two references in one PDF to Victoria Yee at Yee.Victoria.W@dol.gov.

For more information, contact:

Jennifer L. Jones at Jones.Jennifer.L@dol.gov
Victoria Yee at Yee.Victoria.W@dol.gov

Division of Civil Rights and Labor Management (Washington, D.C.)

When is this internship?: Year-round opportunities, subject to funding availability; Pathways positions available for summer internships.

When to apply:

  • Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Background:

SOL's Civil Rights and Labor-Management Division (CRLM) provides a broad range of legal services, including advice, litigation, and assistance in rulemaking, to several components of the Department, including the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs; Office of Labor-Management Standards; Civil Rights Center; Office of Disability Employment Policy; Women's Bureau; Center for Faith-Based & Neighborhood Partnerships; and Office of Apprenticeship. In general, CRLM's client agencies administer and enforce a variety of civil rights, EEO, and labor laws. For more information about CRLM, please visit our website: www.dol.gov/agencies/sol/divisions/civil-rights-labor-management

The law student intern will assist CRLM in providing legal services to the client agencies listed above. Duties will include significant legal research and writing in connection with advice, litigation and/or rulemaking projects for client agencies, such as drafting memoranda, analyses, and briefs, and may include attending meetings with the client agencies and other SOL divisions as appropriate.

Students who can commit to a full-time schedule (35-40 hours/week) are preferred.

What we look for:

Excellent research and writing skills; a demonstrated interest in civil rights, labor and employment issues; and a strong academic record. Prior relevant courses or work experience preferred but not required.

How to apply:

All interested candidates must submit: (1) a cover letter; (2) resume; (3) law school transcript; (4) recent writing sample; and (5) a list of three references by email to:

Jo Ann Baptiste 
Management and Program Analyst 
CRLMInternshipApplications@dol.gov 
202-693-5737

For more information, contact:

Jo Ann Baptiste – 202-693-5737

Jennifer Frey – 202-693-5806

Keir Bickerstaffe – 202-693-5297

All emails can be sent to CRLMInternshipApplications@dol.gov

Division of Employment and Training Legal Services (Washington, D.C.)

When is this internship?: Summer

When to apply: We accept applications on a rolling basis. We would like to extend offers by February, circumstances allowing.

Number of positions: Potentially up to three.

Background:

SOL's Division of Employment and Training Legal Services (ETLS) provides advice to a range of clients. Our summer law clerks will be primarily assisting the attorneys that provide legal advice to the Department's Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB) and to the Department's Veteran's Employment and Training Service (VETS) staff administering the Uniform Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act of 1994 (USERRA), a Federal law that establishes rights and responsibilities for uniformed Service members and their civilian employers. ETLS also provides legal advice to VETS with regards to employment and training programs. It also advises the Employment Training Administration (ETA), which administers a variety of employment and training programs that contribute to the more efficient functioning of the U.S. labor market.

The type of assignments and work product will vary, but all involve legal research and analysis. A law clerk typically comes away with a writing sample as well, such as a draft memorandum of referral. In years past, law clerks have spent significant time analyzing foreign countries' laws for compliance with international child labor standards in connection with legal review of an annual report to Congress on the worst forms of child labor in over 100 of our trade partners and that is expected to be a focus of work this summer as well. Law clerks may also work on projects assisting attorneys in ETLS in analyzing other countries' compliance with international labor provisions and with their compliance with international labor standards. They may also assist attorneys providing legal advice related to U.S. participation in international organizations, grants for projects on child labor and forced labor, and Congressionally mandated reports on the worst forms of child labor.

For VETS, law clerks may work to research and analyze legal issues arising under USERRA related to veterans' protections against workplace discrimination and their reemployment rights, as well as in regards to issues related to VETS employment programs. Law clerks may also work on projects related to VETS employment programs and ETA programs as needed.

What we look for:

Candidates must demonstrate strong research and writing abilities, and academic achievement. Related coursework, clinical experience, extracurricular activities, and Spanish-language proficiency are significant plus factors.

How to apply:

Send a cover letter, resume, transcript and writing sample to LawClerkApplication@dol.gov.

For more information, contact:

Derek Baxter 
baxter.derek@dol.gov 
202-693-5713

Division of Management and Administrative Legal Services (Washington, D.C.)

When is this internship?: Year-round opportunities.

When to apply: Rolling basis.

Background:

The Division of Management and Administrative Legal Services offers an opportunity in its Procurement Counsel Area where student interns have the opportunity to work on substantive projects both within the Procurement Law Counsel Area, as well as other MALS Counsel areas, particularly Appropriations Law.

Interns have the opportunity to perform legal research, assist with briefs, preparing administrative records for cases, and review documents. During our previous internships, interns have prepared memos, drafted sections of briefs, and assisted with presentations.

In terms of skills/benefits, interns have/will:

  • Learn about working in a legal office for a federal agency;
  • Obtain real-world experience about the practice of law, particularly procurement and appropriations law; and
  • Participate in meetings/shadow senior attorneys. In addition, many interns receive credit from their law schools for participating in the program, as well as obtaining HR-related benefits, as applicable.

What we look for:

The ideal candidate has expressed interest in working for the public sector as well as experience or interest with federal procurement and/or appropriations law matters.

How to apply:

We generally require a cover letter, resume, and a current transcript. These materials are sent to Jose Otero, a senior attorney in the Procurement Law Counsel Area.

For more information, contact:

Jose Otero 
202-693-5428 
otero.jose@dol.gov

Division of Mine Safety and Health (Arlington, Va.)

When is this internship?: Our summer intern program usually includes one or two students and is open to students finishing their 1L or 2L years. We also consider students in their 2L or 3L years for school-year intern positions.

When to apply: We accept applications for summer internships from December 1 - January 31 and extend offers by mid-March (though usually sooner). We accept applications for fall-semester internships until the June 30 preceding the semester, and applications for spring-semester internships until the September 30 preceding the semester.

Background:

The MSH Division supports the Mine Safety and Health Administration, the agency that enforces the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, as amended (Mine Act). The Mine Act protects miners' safety and health at every mine in the United States. MSHA enforces the Mine Act by promulgating safety and health standards and regulations; investigating accidents, fatalities, and criminal violations; protecting whistleblowers; and inspecting mines. MSHA also does other safety- and health-related work, like providing grants, hosting mine rescue competitions, and certifying equipment to use in dangerous mine environments.

Our attorneys assist MSHA with rulemaking, provide legal advice in a wide variety of situations, and perform nationwide trial and appellate litigation. Interns work with attorneys on projects in all of these areas. Projects could include:

  • Analyzing legal questions and writing litigation memos
  • Reviewing rulemaking and guidance documents before they are published
  • Attending meetings and strategy sessions with MSHA
  • Seeking injunctions or temporary restraining orders in federal district courts
  • Trying cases before the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission's Administrative Law Judges or Department of Labor's Administrative Law Judges, or in federal district court
  • Writing appellate briefs and preparing attorneys for oral arguments before the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission or the federal courts of appeals

Interns will also learn about the work of the Solicitor's Office and of federal agencies more generally. Our goal is to give interns an accurate sense of what being a government lawyer is like day-to-day.

The Solicitor’s Office requires all interns to earn the equivalent of $15/hour from an outside source or to earn academic credit towards graduation.

What we look for:

We look for academic achievement, writing skill, public interest work experience, and connection connection with and commitment to workers' rights and occupational safety and health.

How to apply:

Email us a cover letter, resume, writing sample, transcript, and list of references.

For more information, contact:

Emily Toler Scott 
Senior Trial Attorney 
scott.emily.t@dol.gov 
202-693-9336

Office of Legal Counsel (Washington, D.C.)

When is this internship?: Summer 2022

When to apply: We are accepting applications only through the Summer Pathways Internship program described above. The job posting includes the application deadline and can be found at  https://www.usajobs.gov/job/626964800.

Number of positions: One

The Solicitor's Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) is responsible for providing a wide range of legal services to all agencies of the Department. The Office has three major areas of responsibility. First, the Office plays a major role in the Department's legislative activities by analyzing legislation impacting the Department, helping prepare testimony presented by Departmental at congressional committee hearings, and drafting proposed legislation. Second, the Office manages the Department's ethics program by providing advice and training and by administering the financial disclosure requirements. Third, OLC provides legal advice on a number of areas relating to government organization and operations, most notably administrative law and procedure.

The law student intern will assist OLC in providing the legal services listed above. Duties may include reviewing testimony and draft legislation, drafting legal advice about ethics-related matters, researching administrative law issues, and writing memos as appropriate. The intern will also participate in the SOL Summer Intern Program, which includes weekly meetings with guest speakers. The intern may also attend meetings with the SOL Front Office and other SOL divisions as appropriate. OLC also houses the SOL Honors Attorney program for entry-level attorneys, so the intern will have the opportunity to meet and interact with recent law school graduates. We expect this internship to be entirely virtual.

Candidates must demonstrate strong research and writing abilities, academic achievement, and an interest in a career in public service. Prior relevant courses or work experience preferred but not required. The ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate the ability to work well in a collaborative environment and an interest in Federal government service. Please refer to SOL’s Diversity and Inclusion statement. For more information about this opportunity, please contact OLCinternships@dol.gov.

How to apply:

All interested candidates must apply through USAJOBS at https://www.usajobs.gov/job/626964800.

Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Washington, D.C.)

When is this internship?: Summer.  We typically ask each intern for a minimum eight-week time commitment, although they are welcome to stay longer.  We are currently accepting applications for Summer 2025.

When to apply: We are accepting applications for Summer 2025.  We will review applications on a rolling basis through November 1, 2024. 

Number of positions: We typically hire two interns for each summer.

Information session: The Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Division will host a one-hour information session on occupational safety and health law and the work of the OSH Division on September 24, 2024, at 4:00pm eastern time. Click this link to join the video call on Microsoft Teams or join by phone (+1 202-600-8889; conference ID 652 601372#).

The Division of the Office of the Solicitor (SOL) provides legal services to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSH attorneys represent OSHA in enforcement cases at the appellate level, and defend OSHA rules in the U.S. Courts of Appeals when they are challenged after promulgation. OSH attorneys advise OSHA on rulemakings and enforcement policy, and provide advice on novel, significant, and complex cases, including potential cases considered for referral to DOJ for criminal prosecution. In addition, OSH attorneys assist OSHA in administering the whistleblower protection provisions in the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, and several other worker protection statutes. The OSH Division also provides legal services in connection with state grants and state occupational safety and health plans submitted under Section 18(b) of the Act.

Interns in the Division of Occupational Safety and Health will receive a variety of assignments throughout the office's practice areas. Representative assignments may include:

  • Assisting OSH Division attorneys in the research and writing of legal briefs to be filed with the US Court of Appeals and the Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission;
  • Providing research, analysis and other appropriate support to a rulemaking team;
  • Researching and preparing legal memoranda on a wide variety of topics covered by the OSH Division;
  • Providing legal advice to SOL Regional Offices and OSHA on litigation and other OSHA enforcement matters;
  • Shadowing OSH Division attorneys at meetings with OSHA to develop client counseling skills.

OSH Division interns may assist in the production of a variety of written work products, such as portions of legal briefs, portions of Federal Register documents, and legal memoranda for other OSH Division attorneys and OSHA. In addition, interns will be asked to research discrete legal issues and present their conclusions orally to the assigning OSH Division attorney.

OSH Division interns will gain practical research and writing skills that will prepare them for legal practice upon graduation from law school. Supervising attorneys routinely provide constructive feedback to interns on their written work product to further this goal. In addition, the OSH Division strives to give an intern experience in day-to-day legal practice including client interaction and time management skills. OSH Division interns will also leave their experience with an appreciation for how a Federal Agency operates, which will give them a significant perspective in determining whether to pursue a career in Federal service.

SOL offers internship opportunities for law students who are hired through the Pathways Programs, as well as those who receive stipends or academic credit. The Department of Labor requires all interns not hired through the Pathways Program to receive the equivalent of $15/hour in funding from an outside source (e.g., academic institution, public interest grant) or to earn academic credit. If you are interested in Pathways Program Internships, those opportunities are posted on USAJOBs as they become available.

What we look for: Applicants must be 2Ls at the time of their application and must expect to have completed their 2L year by the summer of their internship. Applicants must be students in good academic standing with strong writing, research, and analytical skills. The OSH Division does not require any specific subject matter fluency. However, the ideal candidate should be able to demonstrate the following characteristics in their application and interview:

  • Interest in a career in public service;
  • Interest in labor and employment law and/or health law (particularly occupational safety and health); and
  • Ability to work well in a collaborative environment.

We will consider an intern’s preference to work remotely on a case-by-case basis.

How to apply?: We are accepting applications for Summer 2025. To apply, submit a resume, cover letter, current law school transcript (a copy is fine), and a brief (3-5 page) writing sample to the OSH Division's Intern Coordinators (Brian Broecker, Joseph Berndt, and LaNita McWilliams) at OSHinternship@dol.gov.

Diversity & Inclusion: The OSH Division is committed to achieving and sustaining a diverse and inclusive work environment. Visit SOL's Diversity and Inclusion Policy webpage for more information.

For more information, contact: The OSH Division's primary contacts are Joseph Berndt (202-693-5476), Brian Broecker (202-693-5484), and LaNita McWilliams (202-693-5426). They may be reached by email at OSHinternship@dol.gov.

Division of Plan Benefits Security (Washington, D.C.)

When is this internship?: Year-round opportunities.

When to apply: With the exception of the summer term, we are flexible about application deadlines because we accept students all year. For the summer, we ask students to submit applications no later than mid-February. Students applying for the summer have an opportunity to apply for a scholarship sponsored by the Gary S. Tell Foundation. The late Gary Tell was an attorney in this division. For more information, see www.gstscholars.org.

Background:

Our office enforces the fiduciary responsibility provisions of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act ("ERISA") for retirees and workers who depend upon ERISA plans for their retirement income and health benefits.

Our litigation attorneys handle federal district court and appellate cases through direct litigation and amicus briefs filed in private actions. Our work includes high profile cases, such as our successful litigation to recover pension benefits for Enron Corporation employees and to recover plans' losses from investments with Bernard Madoff.

Students interested in litigation conduct legal research, draft memoranda, participate in discussions of litigation strategy, and assist in drafting motions, discovery requests, and briefs. When cases are scheduled for trial, students are involved in trial preparation. Regulatory assignments include research related to proposed legislation or regulations and the interpretation of regulations. When multiple assignments are of equal priority, students usually are permitted to select the assignment that interests them the most.

Students have an opportunity to conduct legal research, write memoranda of law, participate in strategy discussions, and assist in drafting motions, discovery requests, briefs, and regulatory guidance. We make an effort to ensure that students have at least one assignment that results in a writing sample for use in their job search.

Legal interns gain experience and exposure to the real world practice of law. They learn about ERISA. They work with attorneys in our litigation section, which is a dynamic litigation environment, and our regulations section, which addresses significant pension and health care policy issues. We have had a successful law student intern program for more than twenty years.

What we look for:

There are no prerequisites, but students should be familiar with legal research techniques. A background in accounting, economics, finance, or health care is helpful but not required. We request a time commitment of forty hours per week for ten weeks during the summer and sixteen hours per week (or as much as your law school permits) during the school year. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

How to apply:

We require a cover letter, a writing sample, a transcript, and a list of references. We have no preference with respect to form of delivery.

For more information, contact:

Marcia Bove 
Senior Trial Attorney 
bove.marcia@dol.gov 
202-693-5598

Steve Silverman 
Senior Trial Attorney 
silverman.stephen@dol.gov 
202-693-5623

SOL Regional Offices

Arlington (VA)

When is this internship?: We typically have summer interns who have completed their second year of law school. Summer positions are full-time and run 8 to 10 weeks. We also have part-time interns during the school year, working a minimum of 8 hours per week.

When to apply: Summer, Spring, and Fall applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Fall applications begin July 1 and must be received by August 31. Spring applications begin November 1 and must be submitted by December 15. Summer applications begin January 1 and must be submitted by March 31.

Background:

Interns in the Arlington branch RSOL office work on matters that are being actively litigated or are being considered for trial litigation. We handle cases from a variety of client agencies, covering safety and health issues, wage underpayments, pension fiduciary violations, and other employment law statutes. We evaluate cases prior to initiating litigation, we advise and assist client agencies in the conduct of their investigations and inspections, and we actively engage in all phases of trial litigation.

What we look for:

We look for demonstrated interest in workers' rights (e.g., safety and health, wage payments, etc.) and an interest in learning about litigation. We also look for a commitment to public service, as well as strong research and writing skills.

How to apply:

Applications must have a cover letter addressed to Samantha Thomas (Associate Regional Solicitor, 201 12th Street South, Suite 401, Arlington, VA 22202), a resume, and a writing sample not to exceed 8 pages. These materials can be sent to thomas.samantha.n@dol.gov. Interviews may be conducted in-person or by telephone or video conference.

For more information, contact:

Aditi Kumar, Kumar.Aditi@dol.gov

Usha Rengachary, Rengachary.Usha@dol.gov

Channah Broyde, Broyde.Channah@dol.gov

Atlanta

When is this internship?: Year-round opportunities.

When to apply:

  • Fall Semester – Applications are accepted during the period of February 24 through March 5. Offers are made by the end of March.
  • Spring Semester – Applications are accepted during the period of October 1 through October 12. Offers are made by the end of November.
  • Summer Internships – Applications are accepted through the USAJOBS.gov website: SOL Student Trainee (Law) Summer Pathways Internship Program. Deadlines changes annually.

Background:

The Atlanta Regional Solicitor's Office's internship program provides law students with meaningful litigation experience and exceptional exposure to the world of employment law. Student interns perform a variety of legal tasks under a wide variety of statutes and are exposed to all stages of litigation. In addition to conducting research and writing memoranda under the mentorship and supervision of seasoned trial attorneys, interns are able to evaluate cases compiled by investigators, participate in all aspects of discovery, negotiate settlements, prepare for and attend depositions, witness interviews or meetings with client agencies, attend court hearings or trials, analyze petitions for visa certifications, and participate in events with the national office and other regional offices.

The Office of the Solicitor is special among the federal government's legal offices because it has independent litigating authority under numerous federal statutes. Thus, it is the second largest litigation branch in the federal government, after Department of Justice. Trial attorneys in the Atlanta Regional Solicitor's Office regularly appear in courts throughout the Southeast, pursuing enforcement actions against employers and others who violate laws enforced by the Department, such as laws governing employee pension and benefit plans (ERISA), occupational and mine safety and health (OSHA & MSHA), wage issues (FLSA), protections for migrant farm workers (MSPA), non-discrimination rights of military service members (USERRA), Title VII-type discrimination cases under Executive Order 11246, and numerous whistleblower statutes. As a result, law students who intern with the Atlanta Regional Solicitor's office are exposed to a plethora of employment law matters allowing one to truly test one's desire to practice in this area.

What we look for:

We seek student interns who have a demonstrated interest in litigation, and/or the labor and employment field. Moreover, students who demonstrate through their writing samples that they can succinctly analyze an issue are also given close consideration.

How to apply:

For summer internships, apply on the USAJOBS.gov website: SOL Student Trainee (Law) Summer Pathways Internship Program.

To apply for fall and spring internships, please send a cover letter, resume, and a writing sample that demonstrates clear writing skills and analytical or legal ability (no more than 10 pages and the applicant's own work) to:

Lydia Chastain, Esq. 
Senior Trial Attorney 
Office of the Solicitor 
U.S. Department of Labor 
61 Forsyth St SW 
Room 7T10 
Atlanta, GA 30303 
chastain.lydia.j@dol.gov

For more information, contact Lydia Chastain at the above-referenced addresses.

Boston

When is this internship?: Spring, fall, and summer

When to apply: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until the positions are filled.

Background:

The lawyers in the Boston office provide trial litigation and general legal services to the Department of Labor throughout New England. Major litigation areas include federal district court actions under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act, as well as administrative proceedings under the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the Mine Safety Act.

The objective of the intern's assignments is to introduce the student to the operation of a government law office, to familiarize the student with civil litigation practice in a government setting and to expose the student to the diverse Department enforcement programs as caseloads permit. The student's tasks/work assignments will include legal research and writing; drafting discovery; drafting motions and responses to motions; assisting attorneys in trial preparation; engaging in preparation of legal documents; document reviews; reviewing and summarizing deposition transcripts; reviewing evidence in preparation for trial; and other assignments as available.

The student's educational experience is enhanced as he/she will be introduced to the operation of a government legal office, become familiar with civil litigation practice in a government setting, and be exposed to the diverse Department enforcement programs. The student will attend weekly educational seminars given by experienced attorneys covering the labor laws enforced by the Department, as well as professional development and career enhancement seminars.

What we look for:

Candidates should demonstrate high academic achievement and interest in public service.

How to apply:

Applicants are asked to send a copy of their cover letter, resume, transcript (unofficial is fine) and writing sample to Christine Collins at Collins.Christine@dol.gov.

For more information, contact:

Christine Collins 
Office of the Solicitor 
U.S. Department of Labor 
JFK Federal Bldg. 
Room E-375 
Boston, MA 02203 
617-565-2500 
collins.christine@dol.gov

Chicago

When is this internship?: We have four internship periods, roughly January to April, May to July, July to September, and October to December.

When to apply: Rolling basis.

Background:

The Office of the Solicitor, Region V, handles most of the U.S. Department of Labor's trial litigation in Region V. The Office is responsible for litigation of statutory and regulatory enforcement actions. These matters are litigated under various statutes that include, but are not limited to, the Occupational Safety and Health Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended; the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, and the Mine Safety and Health Act.

A legal intern in our office gains practical legal experience by assisting program counsels and staff attorneys with 1) legal research; 2) developing cases for litigation through the use of written discovery, including drafting discovery requests and responses, and participating in discovery depositions; 3) drafting substantive motions, pleadings, settlement agreements, and other court filings; and 4) trial/mediation preparation and participation. Most interns create substantial legal memos. Some interns work on post-trial briefs, complaints, and dispositive motions.

A legal intern in our office would gain experience in a wide range of employment law areas. Most importantly, they learn the process of trial-level civil enforcement litigation. They participate in all stages of trial-level litigation and learn from experienced attorneys.

What we look for:

To be considered for an internship, candidates must:

  1. Have started their 2nd year of law school at the time the internship begins;
  2. Demonstrate interest in employment law or public service; and
  3. Demonstrate interest in trial-level litigation.

We look for high academic achievement.

How to apply:

We initially ask for a cover letter, resume, and transcript, which are emailed to Lydia Faklis, our office's internship coordinator. PDF is preferable. Once a student is selected for an interview, we request a writing sample.

For more information, contact:

Lydia J. Faklis 
Trial Attorney 
Office of the Solicitor 
U.S. Department of Labor 
230 S Dearborn St 
Room 844 
Chicago, IL 60604 
312-353-6992 
Faklis.Lydia.J@dol.gov

Dallas

When is this internship?: Opportunities available year-round, as appropriate.

When to apply: For summer, interviews of candidates are completed by March and offers usually made within a week of an interview. This office participates in the full-time intern program during the school year with Texas Tech University. Those students are interviewed and placed in the program at least eight months in advance of the start date.

Background:

The Dallas Regional Solicitor's Office, Region VI (RSOL) offers internship/externships for six-week terms during the summer and part-time during the spring and fall semester. Interns are expected to assist the trial attorneys in various procedural and substantive matters. Interns will be given a variety of tasks and may be expected to perform one or more of the following: conduct legal research; analyze cases; participate in meetings with client agencies; contact and interview witnesses; draft discovery and various pleadings; and assist the trial attorneys with trial preparation. Additionally, to the extent possible, interns will be invited to attend hearings, depositions, and settlement conferences that arise in the Dallas, Texas area during the period of internship.

The RSOL is responsible for civil trial litigation and providing legal support to the various agencies within the U.S. Department of Labor in Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Arkansas. The RSOL represents the Secretary of Labor in enforcing more than 180 statutes in U.S. District Courts and before administrative law judges in the five-state region. In addition, the RSOL provides general legal advice and assistance to the regional offices of the various agencies the Solicitor's Office represents, including the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the Wage and Hour Administration (Wage and Hour), the Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP).

What we look for:

In order of importance:

  • Interest in the program areas
  • Previous work experience
  • Subject matter knowledge
  • Academic achievement

How to apply:

Cover letter, resume, writing sample (10 pages), and transcript sent digitally to Mary Cobb.

For more information, contact:

Mary Cobb 
972-850-3133 
cobb.mary@dol.gov

Philadelphia

When is this internship?: Our office typically has five summer interns who have completed their second year of law school. The summer internship program is a full-time, ten-week internship starting the first full week after Labor Day. There is some flexibility on the timing of an internship for non-traditional or evening students. Participation in our summer program has also led to students returning during the academic year, and vice versa.

When to apply: Summer, Spring, and Fall applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Fall applications begin July 1 and should be received by August 31. Spring applications begin November 1 and should be submitted by December 31. Summer applications begin mid-December and should be submitted by January 31. For summer internships, we usually make offers starting in the first two weeks of February.

Background:

The Philadelphia Regional Solicitor's Office is one of seven regional offices of attorneys serving the United States Department of Labor and its enforcement agencies throughout the Mid-Atlantic Region: Delaware, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia. The approximately twenty attorneys in the Regional Solicitor's Office have the primary responsibility of representing the Secretary of Labor in most of the Department's civil litigation in U.S. District Courts and before administrative law judges. The Solicitor's Office works with Department agencies such as the Wage and Hour Division, Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Employee Benefits Security Administration, Employment Standards Administration, Mine Safety and Health Administration, and others in the enforcement of a wide variety of worker protection statutes. When appropriate, the Solicitor's Office will also provide pre-litigation assistance to these Department agencies which includes counselling and advising the agencies regarding ongoing investigations and settlement negotiations.

Interns in the Philadelphia Regional Solicitor's Office primarily will also be involved in all stages of a case's lifecycle in our office and can anticipate working on legal analysis, discovery, deposition preparations, legal briefing, and witness interviewing. This opportunity provides students with exposure not only to the litigation process, but to various specialized areas of employment law and the chance to become familiar with the administrative law process. Our internship is structured as a generalist internship and students can expect to work in most, if not all, practice areas we cover.

What we look for:

An ideal candidate will have high academic achievement in both undergraduate work and their law school career. They will also have a demonstrated interest in public service and workers' rights. The best-fit interns will be interested in gaining experience in a very active and fast-paced litigation practice.

How to apply:

We require a resume, transcript, and writing sample of ten to twelve pages. These materials can be sent to our region's dedicated intern coordinators via email to Stelmack.Kyle.D@dol.gov, Jankowski.Jenna.L@dol.gov, and Rengachary.Usha@dol.gov.

For more information, contact:

Our current contacts are:

Kyle Stelmack
Stelmack.Kyle.D@dol.gov

Jenna Jankowski 
Jankowski.Jenna.L@dol.gov

Usha Rengachary
Rengachary.Usha@dol.gov

Los Angeles

When is this internship?: Fall, Spring, Summer

When to apply: Applications are considered on a rolling basis.

Background:

The Los Angeles Regional Solicitor's Office provides civil litigation and legal services to Department of Labor agencies in Alaska, America Samoa, Arizona, California, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada, Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.

A student intern will research and prepare internal legal memoranda and court documents involving a variety of federal employment and labor laws. Interns may also have the opportunity to assist with litigation before administrative law judges and federal district courts, participate in meetings with client agencies, contact and interview witnesses, and help with trial preparation. To the extent possible, interns will be invited to attend hearings, depositions, and settlement conferences. Through these experiences, interns will develop their litigation skills, including research and writing, case management, negotiation, and client relations.

What we look for:

The position is open to 2L and 3L students. Previous work or academic experience in workers' rights, interest in litigation, and fluency in another language are preferred but not required. An ideal candidate will also have a demonstrated commitment to public service, experience working with diverse populations, and strong research and writing skills.

How to apply:

We request a cover letter, resume, writing sample (between 5 and 10 pages), transcript (unofficial ok), and a list of references (1-3 references). These materials may be forwarded in PDF format via email to shao.sonya.p@dol.gov; katz.andrew.m@dol.gov

Sonya Shao, Senior Trial Attorney 
shao.sonya.p@dol.gov 
213-330-0372

Andrew Katz, Senior Trial Attorney 
katz.andrew.m@dol.gov 
213-894-3284

New York

When is this internship?: Year-round opportunities.

When to apply: Rolling basis. For summer internships, all offers are usually extended by mid-February, although all offers are usually accepted sooner.

Background:

The New York Regional Office (NY-RSOL) litigates a wide variety of worker protection cases in New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. NY-RSOL regularly handles trial-level litigation involving, inter alia, wage and hour laws, workplace safety, retirement security, and whistleblower statutes.

Interns are typically given three types of projects, which cut across our various statutory and substantive areas. First, interns are assigned a variety of case-related projects which can include research memoranda, drafting discovery requests or motions, reviewing and analyzing documents, and drafting deposition outlines. Second, interns are assigned a long-term research and writing assignment with the idea that this assignment should yield a usable writing sample. Finally, interns are provided with "in the field" assignments whereby they shadow experienced attorneys in court, at deposition, and in meetings.

Interns should gain substantive knowledge of worker protection statutes as well as general litigation skills.

What we look for:

Interest in workers' rights, experience working with diverse populations, good writing skills.

How to apply:

For summer internships, please send a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and transcript to NYSOLIntern@dol.gov. For fall and spring internships, please send the same materials to wertime.geoffrey.l@dol.gov. 

For more information, contact:

For summer internships, contact Amanda Wilmsen, Wilmsen.Amanda.M@dol.gov, 646-264-3691. For spring and fall internships, please contact Geoffrey Wertime, Wertime.geoffrey.l@dol.gov, 646-264-3641.

San Francisco

When is this internship?: Opportunities available year-round.

When to apply: Applications reviewed and offers made on a rolling basis. However, to ensure consideration, summer applications should be submitted by January 31. 

Background:

The San Francisco Regional Solicitor's Office offers law students internships that have a minimum commitment of 16 hours per week. As needed, our office will work with a student's law school to facilitate receiving academic credit.

The San Francisco Office litigates a variety of matters related to federal workplace protections in a region that stretches from Utah to Guam. Student interns will assist with that litigation in federal district courts and administrative tribunals. Assignments will include preparing memoranda and court documents, participating in meetings with client agencies, contacting and interviewing witnesses and helping with trial preparation. To the extent possible, interns may attend trials, hearings, settlement conferences, and depositions.

What we look for:

Our internships/externships are open to all law students. We look for a demonstrated commitment to protecting the rights of vulnerable workers, foreign language ability (esp. Spanish or Chinese), and an interest in litigation.

How to apply:

Please send a cover letter, resume, writing sample, transcript (unofficial transcripts accepted) in a combined PDF document to Flores.Jessica@dol.gov.

For more information, contact:

Jessica Flores 
415-625-7748 
flores.jessica@dol.gov

Seattle

When is this internship?: Opportunities available year-round.

When to apply: We accept applications for law student and paralegal student internships on a rolling basis.

Background:

The Seattle Regional Solicitor's Office provides civil litigation and legal services to the U.S. Department of Labor agencies in Alaska, America Samoa, Arizona, California, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, Hawaii, Nevada, Idaho, Oregon and Washington.

A student intern will research and prepare internal legal memoranda and court documents involving a variety of federal employment and labor laws. Interns may also assist with litigation before administrative law judges and federal district courts, participate in meetings with client agencies, contact and interview witnesses, and help with trial preparation. To the extent possible, interns will be invited to attend hearings, depositions, and settlement conferences. Through these experiences, interns will develop their litigation skills, including research and writing, case management, negotiation, and client relations.

What we look for:

The positions are open to 2L and 3L students and to students in a paralegal degree program.  An ideal candidate will also have a demonstrated commitment to public services, experience working with diverse populations, and strong research and writing skills.

How to apply:

We request a cover letter, resume, writing sample (between 5 and 10 pages), and transcript (unofficial ok).  Send information to Associate Regional Solicitor Katherine Cameron (Cameron.Katherine.E@dol.gov) and Counsel for Safety and Health, Joshua Falk (Falk.Joshua@dol.gov).

For more information, contact:

Katherine Cameron 
Associate Regional Solicitor 
Office of the Solicitor
U.S Department of Labor

909 First Avenue, Suite 230

Seattle, WA, 98104
Tel: (206) 757-6760