Job Responsibilities:
- Work with Office attorneys on copyright-related issues that arise within the Office, before Congress, and in the courts.
- Assist in preparing #***# reports for Congress.
- Support the Office’s international work.
- Engage in legal research, writing, and editing tasks as needed.
- Serve in one of the following divisions based on preference and Office’s needs: Office of the General Counsel (OGC), Office of Policy and International Affairs (PIA), Office of Public Information and Education (PIE), Copyright Claims Board (CCB), or Office of Registration Policy and Practice (RPP).
Education and Experience Information:
- Candidates must be either currently enrolled in or have graduated from a U.S.-accredited law school.
- Demonstrated interest or background in copyright law is required, evidenced by relevant coursework or other experiences.
- Must possess excellent research, writing, and editing abilities.
Eligibility and Appointment:
- The program seeks highly motivated law students with strong academic credentials.
- Candidates must have a significant interest in copyright law.
- Law Clerks serve for ten to thirteen weeks for thirty-five to forty hours per week over the summer or for fifteen to twenty hours per week during a fall or spring semester.
- Law Clerks may not hold a conflicting legal or research position simultaneously.
Law Clerk Application and Selection Process:
- Applications are accepted at any time, but candidates are encouraged to apply at least four months in advance of their anticipated start date.
- Application deadlines: January 31 for summer semester, May 30 for fall semester, and September 30 for spring semester.
- Application materials include a statement of interest and qualifications, resume, most recent law school transcript, a writing sample, and contact information for three references.
- Incomplete applications will not be considered.
- Candidates who advance in the selection process will be contacted for an interview.
- The Office considers application materials, academic performance, research, writing, and editing skills, interview performance, references, and interest in copyright law during the selection process.
- Selections are made on a rolling basis, generally at least six weeks before the anticipated start date.
Salary Information:
- The Law Clerk positions are unpaid.
- Law Clerks often arrange to receive academic credit through their law school for their work.
- In some cases, Law Clerks may obtain stipend support through public interest grant programs.
