Office of Inspector General Law Student Clerkship

Overview

The law-student clerkship focuses on the legal side of the Office of Legal, Legislative, and External Affairs, with some opportunity to also work with the legislative and external affairs.  Because OIG is a law-enforcement agency with broad oversight authority, our office offers an experience that is unique within Federal government.  From the investigative side, law students will have an opportunity to gain experience in criminal law from the investigative stage through prosecution. 

Law clerks play a key role in researching high-profile and challenging questions of law regarding DOT programs.  The OIG Office of Legal Counsel has been involved in key issues such as the Recovery Act, cross-border trucking under the North American Free Trade Agreement, and other major transportation legislation.  Given the mission of the OIG, law clerks may also gain experience with government-wide laws, regulations, and policies regarding government contracts, ethics, grants, information technology security, and privacy issues.  In addition to the investigation and audit-specific support role, our office serves as “in-house” counsel for the OIG, a government agency with over 420 employees.  The legal support role and environment is unique to government administration but has wide-reaching transferability across the public and private sectors.   

Eligibility

• Must be a U.S. Citizen and enrolled in an accredited law school to apply
• Must possess a GPA average of 3.0 or the equivalent
• Must possess excellent verbal and written ability, strong analytical and interpersonal skills, demonstrated achievement, academic performance, life experience, and personality
• Students must provide a current resume and transcript, including a cover letter (noting desired start and end date, including the number of hours per week available for work), and three contact references