Law Student Volunteer, Academic Year 2027-2028, Criminal Division

The Middle District of Georgia encompasses 70 of Georgia’s 159 counties and covers 25,471 square miles with a population of approximately 2,045,000. The district is home to Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta, Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, Ft. Benning in Columbus, and the Marine Corps Logistics Base in Albany, and has courthouses in Macon, Athens, Albany, Columbus, and Valdosta.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office (USAO) for the Middle District of Georgia is responsible for prosecuting all federal crimes that occur in our 70 counties as well as defending the United States in civil matters, collecting debts owed to the United States, and ensuring the United States’ interests are protected on appeal.

• The Criminal Division of the USAO handles the prosecution of federal offenses, including acts of terrorism, organized crimes and gang activities, narcotics, firearms, fraud, public corruption, child exploitation, human trafficking, and internet-based crimes.
• The Civil Division of the USAO represents the United States, its agencies, offices and employees in district court and handles a variety of defensive and affirmative civil cases, including those involving tort and employment discrimination litigation, civil rights claims, challenges to administrative or regulatory actions, health care fraud, and False Claims Act suits.
• The Appellate Division of the USAO prepares and drafts briefs for filing in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit on behalf of the United States and, at times, argues motions on significant issues in the district court for both criminal and civil matters.

Law student volunteers assist attorneys with research, writing, and reviewing discovery. They also have the opportunity to attend court proceedings, depositions, mediations, and meetings with federal agents. They may also participate in certain court proceedings.

Prior law student volunteers from the USAO for the Middle District of Georgia have gone on to work in federal and state judicial clerkships, for the Department of Justice (including the USAO for the Middle District of Georgia), private law firms, and other legal organizations.

Law student volunteers will be assigned to the Criminal Division and will perform research projects, draft pleadings and other court papers, and may assist in trial preparation and/or work on appellate briefs. Volunteers will work with numerous Assistant United States Attorneys (AUSAs) over the course of the internship. Through research projects and interaction with the AUSAs, volunteers will be introduced to the federal court system and will learn the ins and outs of federal criminal, civil, and/or appellate litigation. Volunteers are encouraged to attend depositions, court hearings, and trials with AUSAs. Our goal is for our volunteers to gain an introduction to the federal legal system, to develop their legal skills, and, above all, to enjoy their internship.

Macon, Georgia. Telework is not permitted.

To be eligible for this position, an applicant must (1) be a current second year (2L) law student (who will be a third year (3L) law student during the 2027-2028 school year); (2) be a U.S. citizen who has lived in the United States for three of the last five years; and (3) pass a background investigation due to the sensitive nature of the work performed by the USAO.

Time Commitment

For the academic year-long law student volunteer positions, a commitment to working 12-20 hours per week during the academic school year (August 2027-May 2028) is required. Time away for vacations and other obligations is permitted.

Students interested in applying for the Academic Year 2027-2028 program must submit:

1. Cover letter (Please indicate which division(s) you are applying for.)

2. Resume

3. Unofficial law school transcript

3. Writing sample (10 pages minimum)

4. References (please list 2-3 with title, phone number, and email address)

Those interested should apply early. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis but must be submitted no later than September 15, 2026. Interviews will begin in the fall.

Applications should be submitted via email to usagam.hr@usdoj.gov.

Law student volunteers are uncompensated but may receive academic credit per school policies.