The United States Department of Justice has been described as the largest law office in the world. One of the primary responsibilities of the Department of Justice is to represent the United States in court. When a department or agency is involved in or is contemplating litigation, the matter is generally referred to the Department of Justice. With certain exceptions, the United States Attorneys' Offices and their staffs perform the bulk of litigation functions of the Department of Justice. United States Attorneys also have broad discretion to initiate, pursue, or decline criminal prosecution when Federal criminal laws are violated.

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Connecticut has three offices. The headquarters office is in New Haven, and there are branch offices in Hartford and Bridgeport.

There are a limited number of paid positions under the Student Educational Employment Program. These positions are generally clerical in nature, but provide the student with an opportunity to work in a legal environment and focus on choosing a career path.

The Volunteer Law Student Intern Program provides law students with an excellent opportunity to work with top prosecutors, providing assistance such as legal research, preparation of motions and briefs, trial preparation and much more. The students also have the opportunity to go into the courtroom and assist (or at least be present) during trials and legal proceedings.

Applications are accepted at any time, but if you have a specific semester in mind, application and security packages must be completed at least eight to ten weeks before you intend to start work, as a background investigation is required. The security process, which includes fingerprints and the preparation of a number of security forms, takes approximately eight weeks to complete. Paid students are required to take a drug test.

For more information please contact Eileen Lombardi or Betty Zimmerman at (203) 821-3719.

AS OF: 02-07-01

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