Law Student Volunteer, Civil Division Intellectual Property Section (Summer 2026)

The Intellectual Property Section of the Commercial Litigation Branch represents the United States in matters involving patents, copyrights, trademarks, and trade secrets. Many of the Section’s cases involve complex technologies, such as pharmaceutical compositions and sophisticated electronic devices, and litigation forms the majority of its workload. Attorneys represent the United States in suits in the United States Court of Federal Claims under 28 U.S.C. § 1498, which provides patent and copyright owners a means of resolving claims of government manufacture or use, and also advise and represent agencies on trademark and other intellectual property matters.

Law student volunteers will work closely with C‑IP attorneys and gain practical experience in federal intellectual property litigation. Interns support active matters and develop skills in legal research, writing, and case preparation.

Responsibilities may include:

Conduct legal research and draft memoranda on a variety of intellectual property issues

Assist with discovery and trial efforts, including document review and preparation of exhibits

Work on projects spanning multiple subject areas, gaining broad exposure to intellectual property practice areas

Become familiar with the federal legal system and unique aspects of government litigation

Develop practical legal skills through hands‑on assignments under attorney supervision

All work must be performed on‑site in the Washington, DC office; remote work is not permitted.

Eligibility Requirements

Must be a current first- or second-year law student (current 1L rising 2L, or current 2L rising 3L)

Completion of at least one year of law school by the start date of the internship (current 1Ls must have completed their first year before the internship begins)

Must be a current law student enrolled at least half-time in an accredited law school

Successful completion of a background investigation

Ability to commit to a minimum of 8 weeks and at least 40 hours per week during Summer 2026; a 6‑week full-time commitment may be considered for rising 3Ls wishing to split their summer with another employer

Availability to participate for the full duration of the internship, as agreed upon with the Intellectual Property Section

Preferred Qualifications

Strong legal research and writing abilities

Attention to detail

Enthusiasm for working collaboratively as part of a small team

Technical background (strongly preferred)

Demonstrated interest in intellectual property law (strongly preferred)

Submit the following documents in a single PDF titled LastName_FirstName_Summer2026 to civil.ip@usdoj.gov with the subject line:
“C‑IP Summer 2026 Internship Application.”

Required materials:

Cover letter

Resume (not to exceed 2 pages)

Unofficial law school transcript (

Legal writing sample (10 pages maximum)

Applications will be accepted up to an application deadline of February 15, 2026, consistent with Civil Division summer recruiting and security processing timelines.

Positions are unpaid. Interns may receive academic credit or funding through external programs such as Federal Work Study, if applicable. Transit subsidy available for in-person commuting.