About the Office
The United States Trustee Program (USTP) is a litigating component of the Department of Justice (DOJ) whose mission is to promote the integrity and efficiency of the bankruptcy system for the benefit of all stakeholders―debtors, creditors, and the public. As a national program with 21 regions consisting of 89 field offices, the USTP has broad administrative, regulatory, and enforcement authorities in bankruptcy cases, including chapter 7 and 13 consumer cases and complex chapter 11 corporate reorganizations. The USTP is the only participant in the bankruptcy process uniquely positioned to address multi-jurisdictional misconduct or other issues of national scope that give rise to systemic fraud and abuse, while also effectively combatting local matters affecting the integrity of the bankruptcy system. We invite you to visit the USTP’s Web site at U.S. Trustee Program | Department of Justice.
As the federal agency whose mission is to ensure the fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans, the Department of Justice is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. To build and retain a workforce that reflects the diverse experiences and perspectives of the American people, we welcome applicants from the many communities, identities, races, ethnicities, backgrounds, abilities, religions, and cultures of the United States who share our commitment to public service.
Job Description
Executive Office for U.S. Trustees (EOUST) Interns: The EOUST is the headquarters of the USTP and is in Washington, DC. EOUST interns may work within the Office of the General Counsel or the Office of the Director. Interns will work exclusively for their assigned Office. EOUST interns must be available to work in-person in the Washington, DC office during their internship.
Office of the Director
An intern for the Office of the Director (OD) may work with either the Director or the Deputy Director for Field Operations.
The Director oversees the USTP’s 21 regions and 89 field offices to ensure the integrity and efficiency of the bankruptcy system. She is responsible for leading the USTP, managing its resources, and setting and implementing policies to further the USTP’s objectives.
The Deputy Director for Field Operations (DDFO) is also a member of the senior leadership for the USTP and reports to the Director. The DDFO provides executive level direction and guidance to United States Trustees in the performance and execution of their responsibilities to ensure they meet USTP priorities and comply with established policies. The DDFO also leads the Office of Oversight (OO) and the Office of Criminal Enforcement (OCE). OO oversees the supervision of private trustees and the approval of credit counseling agencies and debtor education providers. OCE oversees the Program’s criminal referral activities and coordinates with U.S. Attorneys and law enforcement in the investigation and prosecution of criminal cases.
Interns will directly assist the Director and the DDFO on a broad range of projects and studies related to consumer and chapter 11 bankruptcy law. An intern for the OD may conduct legal research, provide data analysis, and conduct fact-finding on a variety of bankruptcy-related issues and the USTP’s objectives. An intern may also assist the Director and the DDFO in preparation for representing the USTP in different capacities, including preparing public speeches and presentations. An internship with the OD will not be available for academic credit.
Office of the General Counsel
The Office of the General Counsel (OGC) is responsible for coordinating, directing, and developing legal policies, procedures, and litigating positions for the USTP in enforcing the Bankruptcy Code. OGC handles its responsibilities through four legal practice groups, each with a specialized focus: Appellate, Chapter 11, Consumer, and General and Administrative. OGC interns will conduct research and assist attorneys in each practice group area on a wide variety of matters. Interns may be drafting and editing memoranda, USTP guidance and policy papers, court pleadings, and appellate briefs. Interns may also be participating in moot courts to prepare attorneys for trial, working on Ethics, Freedom of Information Act, Privacy Act, Administrative Procedures Act matters, observing Congressional hearings, and preparing summaries for senior leadership. An internship with OGC may be available for academic credit.
Field Office Interns: There are 89 field offices located throughout the country. Field office interns assist attorneys in preparing for bankruptcy court appearances, developing bankruptcy fraud referrals, attorney misconduct, screening cases for debtor abuse of the Bankruptcy Code, reviewing documents in chapter 7, 11, and 13 cases, assisting with drafting and filing of motions and objections as appropriate, and monitoring section 341 meetings between debtors and creditors. Field Office interns may provide litigation support to attorneys, attend bankruptcy hearings, and 341 meetings. Internships may be available for academic credit, as determined by the individual field office.
Qualifications
Successful candidates will be second- and third-year law students who possess excellent research and writing skills, show attention to detail, have a desire to work as part of a small team of professionals, and are committed to fairness and integrity in the administration of the bankruptcy system. This is an excellent opportunity for students with a background and interest in bankruptcy, litigation, administrative law, policy, and legislation.
Interns must generally be able to commit a minimum of 10 hours per week for at least 10 weeks, from January through May. However, specific hours will be determined by each office, and some flexibility is available.
Must be a U.S. citizen.
Application Process
Applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, current law school transcript and legal writing sample (no more than 10 pages) via email to ustp.internships@usdoj.gov. All documents should be in one PDF.
Applicants must indicate their interest in being considered for employment among the listed Executive Offices or any field office, in the subject line of the email and within their cover letter.
Applicants may designate more than one office. The USTP field office locator is available at U.S. Trustee Regions and Offices | UST | Department of Justice.
The application period for the spring 2025 session ends on August 30, 2024. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and positions may be filled prior to the final deadline.
Salary
Uncompensated student volunteer. Academic credit and transit subsidies may be available, as specified above.
Number of Positions
Multiple, depending on geographic preference.
Travel
Travel is not required.
Relocation Expenses
Relocation expenses are not available.
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Department Policies
Equal Employment Opportunity: The U.S. Department of Justice is an Equal Opportunity/Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Except where otherwise provided by law, there will be no discrimination because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex – including gender identity, sexual orientation, or pregnancy status – or because of age (over 40), physical or mental disability, protected genetic information, parental status, marital status, political affiliation, or any other non-merit based factor. The Department of Justice welcomes and encourages applications from persons with physical and mental disabilities. The Department is firmly committed to satisfying its affirmative obligations under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, to ensure that persons with disabilities have every opportunity to be hired and advanced on the basis of merit within the Department of Justice. For more information, please review our full EEO Statement.
Reasonable Accommodations: This agency provides reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities where appropriate. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify the agency. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis.
Outreach and Recruitment for Qualified Applicants with Disabilities: The Department encourages qualified applicants with disabilities, including individuals with targeted/severe disabilities to apply in response to posted vacancy announcements. Qualified applicants with targeted/severe disabilities may be eligible for direct hire, non-competitive appointment under Schedule A (5 C.F.R. § 213.3102(u)) hiring authority. Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to contact one of the Department’s Disability Points of Contact (DPOC) to express an interest in being considered for a position. See list of DPOCs.
Suitability and Citizenship: It is the policy of the Department to achieve a drug-free workplace and persons selected for employment will be required to pass a drug test which screens for illegal drug use prior to final appointment. Employment is also contingent upon the completion and satisfactory adjudication of a background investigation. Congress generally prohibits agencies from employing non-citizens within the United States, except for a few narrow exceptions as set forth in the annual Appropriations Act (see, https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/non-citizens/). Pursuant to DOJ component policies, only U.S. citizens are eligible for employment with the Executive Office for Immigration Review, U.S. Trustee’s Offices, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Unless otherwise indicated in a particular job advertisem*nt, qualifying non-U.S. citizens meeting immigration and appropriations law criteria may apply for employment with other DOJ organizations. However, please be advised that the appointment of non-U.S. citizens is extremely rare; such appointments would be possible only if necessary to accomplish the Department’s mission and would be subject to strict security requirements. Applicants who hold dual citizenship in the U.S. and another country will be considered on a case-by-case basis. All DOJ employees are subject to a residency requirement. Candidates must have lived in the United States for at least three of the past five years. The three-year period is cumulative, not necessarily consecutive. Federal or military employees, or dependents of federal or military employees serving overseas, are excepted from this requirement. This is a Department security requirement which is waived only for extreme circ*mstances and handled on a case-by-case basis.
Veterans: There is no formal rating system for applying veterans’ preference to attorney appointments in the excepted service; however, the Department of Justice considers veterans’ preference eligibility as a positive factor in attorney hiring. Applicants eligible for veterans’ preference must include that information in their cover letter or resume and attach supporting documentation (e.g., the DD 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty and other supporting documentation) to their submissions. Although the “point” system is not used, per se, applicants eligible to claim 10-point preference must submit Standard Form (SF) 15, Application for 10-Point Veteran Preference, and submit the supporting documentation required for the specific type of preference claimed (visit the OPM website, www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf for a copy of SF 15, which lists the types of 10-point preferences and the required supporting document(s). Applicants should note that SF 15 requires supporting documentation associated with service- connected disabilities or receipt of nonservice-connected disability pensions to be dated 1991 or later except in the case of service members submitting official statements or retirement orders from a branch of the Armed Forces showing that their retirement was due to a permanent service-connected disability or that they were transferred to the permanent disability retired list (the statement or retirement orders must indicate that the disability is 10% or more).
USAO Residency Requirement: Assistant United States Attorneys must reside in the district to which appointed or within 25 miles thereof. See 28 U.S.C. 545 for district specific information.
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This and other vacancy announcements can be found under Attorney Vacancies and Volunteer Legal Internships. The Department of Justice cannot control further dissemination and/or posting of information contained in this vacancy announcement. Such posting and/or dissemination is not an endorsem*nt by the Department of the organization or group disseminating and/or posting the information.
