Law Student Volunteer

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.

For more information on the qualifications and application process, select the Apply link. The application period for the spring 2025 session ends on August 30, 2024.