Summer Clerkship Program at Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office
The Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office offers a Summer Clerkship Program for law students interested in gaining hands-on experience in public service and criminal law. The program runs from June to August and provides opportunities for students to work in various units within the Office, including Forfeiture. The application window for summer 2025 opens on January 5th and closes on March 3rd.
Internship Program Information:
The internship program is administered by Assistant District Attorney Sarah Weikart. Interested applicants can reach out to Sarah via email at sweikart@alleghenycountyda.us with any questions. The program requires students to work for 15-20 hours per week, with paid positions requiring 20 hours per week. The office also participates in the Allegheny County Bar Association Summer Clerkship Program for 1Ls. Law students can indicate their interest in a paid internship, credit externship, or both in their cover letters when applying.
Application Process:
Law students can apply for summer positions through their school's On Campus Interview (OCI) program if their school is on the list of participating institutions, which includes Duquesne University School of Law, Pennsylvania State Law, University of Pittsburgh School of Law, West Virginia University School of Law, University of Dayton School of Law, Villanova School of Law, University of Pennsylvania School of Law, Akron School of Law, and The Ohio State University School of Law. Non-OCI applicants can submit their cover letter and resume via email to sweikart@alleghenycountyda.us. Undergraduate students can also apply for the program if they have been approved to receive credit for the position. However, approval does not guarantee a position and all applicants are subject to an interview process. Applications must be submitted by the deadline, and late submissions will not be considered.
Intern Duties:
All interns will be responsible for legal research and writing, clerical duties, and assisting attorneys in trial and hearing preparation. They may also accompany attorneys to conduct plea negotiations, jury selection, and trials. Certified Legal Interns, in addition to these duties, will have the opportunity to appear in court on behalf of the Commonwealth under the direct supervision of an Assistant District Attorney. This is an unpaid position and eligible students must have completed an Evidence course and submitted an Application for Certification for Formal Participation in Legal Matters by Law Students Under Pa.B.A.R. 321 and 322.
In summary, the Summer Clerkship Program at the Allegheny County District Attorney’s Office offers law students the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience in public service and criminal law. The program runs from June to August and has openings in various units within the Office. Applications can be submitted through OCI programs or via email, and undergraduate students can also apply if approved for credit. All interns will be responsible for legal research and writing, with Certified Legal Interns having the opportunity to appear in court under supervision.
