Legal Intern Program
US Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Office of Legal Counsel

The Office of Legal Counsel is composed of two programs:

• Coordination and Guidance Programs comprises three divisions:
  • The Coordination Division coordinates with other federal agencies regarding equal employment opportunity regulations, guidelines, and policy issuances to ensure consistency and eliminate duplication of enforcement efforts. This task is governed by Executive Order 12067.
  • The Title VII/ADEA/EPA Division and the ADA Policy Division draft guidance on legal and policy issues arising under the laws enforced by the EEOC for review by the Commission. These divisions develop regulations, guidelines, and enforcement guidance, as well as compliance manual sections and proposed Commission decisions. They provide technical assistance to Commission offices and the public on the interpretation of Commission policy under these laws.

  Interns in the Coordination and Guidance Program do legal research and assist in drafting policy. Interns have the opportunity to attend Commission meetings where employment discrimination guidance is discussed and voted on. They may also be able to attend forums covering various employment discrimination topics, as well as coordination meetings with other federal agencies.

• Legal Services serves as in-house counsel to the Commission.
  • The Advice and External Litigation Division defends EEOC in all litigation brought by outside parties in which EEOC is a defendant, including lawsuits brought by charging parties or respondents, lawsuits directly challenging EEOC’s policy or regulation, and lawsuits under the Freedom of Information Act and Federal Tort Claims Act. The division drafts regulations and provides guidance on the Commission’s charge processing and federal sector functions. The division provides legal advice on employee ethics and financial disclosure; disclosure and subpoenas to EEOC personnel; and administrative, fiscal, and procurement law issues.

  Interns in Legal Services assist attorneys involved in litigation, research legal questions raised by Commissioners and Commission officials, and respond to requests from the public for information. Interns have the opportunity to attend Commission meetings.

Internship Program Requirements: The Office of Legal Counsel internship program accepts both first and second year law students who possess strong legal research, analysis and writing skills, although second year students are preferred. Successful applicants also have a demonstrated interest in civil rights issues, labor and employment law, or public interest law. Experience with legal writing, such as work experience drafting legal memoranda or membership on academic journals, also is desirable. Internships are unpaid volunteer positions, but the Office of Legal Counsel will work with students who are interested in applying for external stipends or academic credit.

• Summer Interns: Summer interns are expected to work full-time (40 hours a week) for 10-12 weeks, although the Office of Legal Counsel has accepted shorter-term, or “split summer,” commitments in the past. To apply, applicants must e-mail a cover letter, resume, and writing sample (5-10 pages) to the appropriate contacts listed below. Please note that applications are no longer being accepted for the 2008 Summer Internship Program. The deadline for applications to the 2009 Summer Internship Program is Friday, October 31, 2008.
• Academic-Year Interns: The Coordination and Guidance Program also occasionally accepts law student interns for a semester-long internship during the school year. These positions ordinarily are offered in combination with a law school’s externship program, and require a commitment of at least 15 hours per week over the course of the semester. For further information regarding the availability of internships during the academic year, please e-mail Peter Gray (see contact information below).

Coordination and Guidance Program Contacts:

Ernie Haffner,  ernest.haffner@eeoc.gov
Ray Peeler,  raymond.peeler@eeoc.gov
Peter Gray,  peter.gray@eeoc.gov

Advice and External Litigation Contact:

James Allison,  james.allison@eeoc.gov

This page was last modified on April 23, 2008.

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