Intern Program
No longer accepting applications for this year’s Summer internship. Externship opportunities will be posted soon so please go online to: jobs.virginia.gov and apply
The Attorney General is the chief executive officer of the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Department of Law. He and his staff represent the interests of the Commonwealth in all civil cases naming the Commonwealth or any of its agencies or officials as a party, and in criminal cases on appeal to the Court of Appeals of Virginia and the Supreme Court of Virginia. In cases involving federal law, the Attorney General represents the Commonwealth's interests before the federal courts.
The Attorney General is also the legal advisor to the Governor and more than 200 state agencies, boards, commissions and institutions. He renders official opinions on the application of the law upon the written request of the Governor, members of the General Assembly, members of the judiciary, state officials, and local constitutional officers.
The Office of the Attorney General is one of the largest law firms in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Office is organized into five legal Divisions: Civil Litigation; Criminal Justice and Public Safety; Government Operations and Transactions; Health, Education, and Social Services; and the Solicitor General's Office. Each is headed by a Deputy Attorney General reporting directly to the Chief Deputy Attorney General, an appointee of the Attorney General.
Generally, each staff attorney advises and represents one or more state agencies. In this capacity, he or she will be involved in representing the agency in litigation and before various legislative and administrative bodies; in drafting and reviewing legislation and regulations; and in providing day-to-day legal advice and counsel to agency staff. Staff attorneys have significant responsibilities for the conduct of the matters to which they are assigned. Our goal is to develop and maintain a staff of highly-skilled professionals dedicated to serving the public interest. Law student interns are assigned to various staff attorneys within the legal divisions and can expect to participate fully in the day-to-day activities of the Division.
Interns who qualify under the Third-Year Practice Rule may have the opportunity to participate in that program and should include a copy of the Certificate in their applicant package.
Our intent is for the intern to become an extension of the staff attorney or Section staff and to make a vital contribution to the functioning of the Office. We offer a Volunteer Summer Intern Program for which we ask a commitment of two months full time volunteer service, and a Clinical Intern Program in which students earn credit towards their law degree.
Civil Litigation Division: This Division includes the following Sections: Consumer Protection, Health Professions, Human Rights, Insurance and Utilities Regulatory, Trial, Employment Law, Workers’ Compensation, and Division of Debt Collection
Criminal Justice and Public Safety Division: This Division includes the following Sections: Correctional Litigation, Criminal Appeals, Health Care Fraud and Elder Abuse, Major Crimes and Emerging Threats, Sexually Violent Predators, Tobacco Enforcement, and Computer Crimes.
Government Operations and Transactions: This Division includes the following Sections: Construction Litigation, Environmental Law, Financial Law and Government Support, Real Estate and Land Use; Technology and Procurement; and Transportation.
Health, Education and Social Services Division: This Division includes the following Sections: Education, Health Services, Medicaid and Social Services, and Division of Child Support Enforcement.
Solicitor General's Office: This small division handles appellate matters in which the constitutionality of a state statute, regulation, or policy is challenged, manages the Office’s process for filing and joining amicus briefs, and assists other divisions of the Office with regard to constitutional and appellate issues.
HOW TO APPLY: Please apply online at https://jobs.viriginia.gov/home, and attach to the application an expression of interest for the summer or semester placement (including at least 3 areas of interest, work availability, and if you are currently a 1L, 2L, or 3L law student), résumé, writing sample, and law school transcript. Your resume must include your current GPA and the name of the college or university where you obtained your undergraduate degree. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis. To be considered for the summer session, applications must be received my March 1st. Please note that the applications are broken down by division, and you must apply to each division in order to be considered.
For more information on the program please contact Michael Kalson at (804) 692-0550 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Applications must be received by March 1st each year in order to receive full consideration for summer placement.