Office of Commissioner Kalpana Kotagal Internship Program

About the Office of Commissioner Kotagal

Created by the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (the Commission or EEOC) is responsible for enforcing federal laws that make it illegal to discriminate against a job applicant or an employee because of the person's race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information. 

The Office of Commissioner Kotagal, headquartered in Washington, D.C., assists the Commissioner in fulfilling her responsibilities as a member of the EEOC.  As one of five Commissioners appointed by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, the Commissioner votes on all matters that come before the Commission, including regulations and policy matters, litigation recommendations, federal sector appellate cases, amicus briefs, subpoena determinations and contracts. The Commissioner may also issue Commissioner charges of discrimination, where appropriate, and performs such other functions as may be authorized by law, regulation, or order.  The Commissioner also takes on special assignments and projects on behalf of the Chair.  For more about Commissioner Kotagal, please see https://www.eeoc.gov/kalpana-kotagal-commissioner.

Internship Requirements 

The Office of Commissioner Kotagal welcomes rising 2L, 3L and L.L.M. students to apply for internships.  Interns work on a variety of substantive legal and policy initiatives to support the Commission’s work. Successful applicants will possess strong legal research, analysis and writing skills and have a demonstrated interest in civil rights issues, employment law, or public interest law. Interns will have opportunities to produce a legal writing sample. The Office is also looking for other graduate students with experience in fields related to the Office’s work.  

Internships are unpaid volunteer positions, but the Office will assist students with applications for external stipends or academic credit.  Fall and Spring internships are part-time, approximately 12-18 hours a week for 8-12 weeks, but schedules are flexible and negotiable.  Summer internships are typically full-time for 8-12 weeks.

We welcome applicants who are located outside of the D.C. region and would require a fully remote internship. We also have opportunities for in person work for those who are located in the D.C. region.

Intern Responsibilities

Interns conduct research and prepare memoranda on a range of issues under the federal civil rights statutes and other relevant federal statutes. Interns assist in reviewing, researching and making recommendations on the documents presented for Commission vote, such as policy guidance, litigation recommendations, federal sector appellate cases, amicus briefs, and subpoena determinations.  Interns may also assist in the drafting of talking points and speeches for the Commissioner, as well as the preparation of Commission meetings. Interns will have the opportunity to attend Commission meetings as well as internal EEOC briefings and meetings.

To Apply

E-mail a cover letter, resume, law school transcript, recent writing sample (5-10 pages), and three professional references – combined in a single PDF – to Kotagal.Intern@eeoc.gov. Please be sure to include your first name, last name, and desired term in the subject line (e.g., John/Jane Doe: Summer 2024 Intern Candidate).  

Deadlines

We accept applications on a rolling basis. Please indicate in your cover letter whether you are applying for a Fall, Spring, or Summer internship and for which year.