Student Externships Los Angeles District Office

The Los Angeles District of the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) has internship opportunities in its Alternative Dispute Resolution unit (mediation), its Enforcement unit (investigation), its Hearings unit (federal sector), its Legal unit (litigation) and its Outreach unit.  EEOC internships are unpaid; however, interns may receive academic credit for their services with approval from their school.

Alternative Dispute Resolution

Interns in the ADR unit will assist EEOC staff and outside mediators. The EEOC offers free mediation services through its Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) unit. ADR coordinates mediation services so that the parties to a charge of discrimination can meet with a mediator to resolve the charge.  The intern will receive an overview of the work done by EEOC, observe mediation conferences conducted by mediators, call employers and charging parties about their interest in mediation, and co-mediate charges.

Positions Available: A limited number of internships are available with the ADR Units in Los Angeles District Office.

Interested students should e-mail or send a letter of interest and resume to Cherry-Marie B. Destura, ADR Coordinator, at EEOC, 255 East Temple Street, 4th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90012 or cherry.destura@eeoc.gov.

Enforcement

Interns in the Enforcement Unit will assist investigators in developing a variety of evidentiary materials related to charges of employment discrimination. This includes interviewing witnesses, reviewing documents, analyzing records, preparing mass mailings, doing research and summarizing data. The duties range from clerical assignments, including copying, filing and typing, to actively investigating charges of discrimination. Interns will analyze case files for compliance with federal employment discrimination laws. Interns will also conduct interviews of employers and of individuals who have filed employment discrimination complaints.

Positions Available: A limited number of internships are available with the Enforcement Units in the Los Angeles District Office.

To Apply: Contact Patricia Kane via email at patricia.kane@eeoc.gov.  Indicate whether you have any special skills such as speaking a language other than English, creating data bases or experience in statistical analysis.

Hearings

The Hearings Unit offers opportunities for law students to participate in the administrative hearing process working closely with EEOC administrative judges. The office has multiple vacancies available throughout the year and students can work on a volunteer basis or for credit.

The student will have extensive exposure to civil rights litigation and will have an opportunity to work with EEOC administrative judges and civil rights advocacy groups, plaintiffs' attorneys and defense counsel. The student will assist with pretrial and settlement conferences. The student will prepare legal memoranda, draft orders, respond to motions (including motions for summary judgment) and will draft findings of fact and conclusions of law for use by the administrative judge in rendering a decision on employment discrimination cases. The student will have a rare and extensive opportunity to hone legal writing skills in real life situations by drafting actual decisions.

In preparation for some written assignments, the student will attend pretrial conferences and hearings, providing an opportunity to observe counsel present evidence and argue cases. Subsequent to the hearing, the student will discuss with the administrative judge the evidence presented and the applicable law.

The student will work under the direct supervision of experienced Administrative Judges. Specific cases will be identified that present legal issues, including disability law, sexual harassment and other areas of employment discrimination. The student will be assigned progressively more complex casework throughout the summer or semester.

The student will meet often with one of the administrative judges and there will be frequent interim review of written documents. In addition to more formal supervision, the student will have opportunities to discuss general legal matters with the administrative judges and will attend staff meetings, oral case presentations and other office discussions.

Positions Available: A limited number of internships are available with the Enforcement Units in the Los Angeles District Office.

To Apply: Send a cover letter, resume and short writing sample to Administrative Judge, Diane Gross at  255 East Temple Street, 4th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90012 or via email to diane.gross@eeoc.gov. 

Legal

Interns in the Legal Unit will work with Trial Attorneys engaged in litigation against employers for violations of Title VII, the ADEA and the ADA. This work will mostly be legal research and writing. Students may assist in interviewing claimants or witnesses, help prepare discovery responses based on those interviews, or help prepare claimants or witnesses for deposition. Occasionally, students may be asked to abstract depositions and develop fact responses for defending against motions for summary judgment.

In addition to the legal assignments, interns are given the opportunity to observe different aspects of agency functions. Depending on availability and schedules, students will sit it on intake interviews, mediation sessions, Administrative Hearings, court hearings on routine and contested matters, and, sometimes, trials. Students will also have ample opportunities to observe depositions. When possible, the students are encouraged to observe activities that build upon work they have performed. For example, if a student has provided research on a motion, they are encouraged to attend court when the motion is heard. If they have interviewed witnesses on a case, they are encouraged to then sit in on depositions related to that case.

Requirements: Candidates will be evaluated based on academic performance, demonstrated research and writing skills, and interest in furthering the mission of the agency.

Positions Available: A limited number of internships are available with the Legal Unit in the Los Angeles District Office.

To Apply: Send a cover letter, resume and short writing sample to Supervisory Trial Attorney, Derek Li at 255 East Temple Street, 4th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90012 or via email to derek.li@eeoc.gov.  

Outreach

The Outreach Program is designed to educate the public regarding the laws enforced by the EEOC through presentations, training, seminars, communications with the press and other special projects.  Interns for the Los Angeles District Office's Outreach Program will assist the Outreach and Education Coordinator in maintaining and creating contacts with the public to include community-based organizations, small businesses, other employers, congressional liaisons, and federal, state and local agencies.  The duties range from clerical assignments (including data entry, copying, filing, and typing) to assisting the Outreach and Education Coordinator at outreach events such as fairs, seminars, conferences, special emphasis programs, and other presentations to the community.  

Requirements:   Outreach interns are asked to commit to at least 8 hours per week of work for at least three months.  Candidates are to possess working knowledge of Word and Excel programs.  Candidates will be evaluated based on academic performance, extracurricular activities, and interest in furthering the mission of the agency.

Positions Available: A limited number of internships are available for the Los Angeles District Office's Outreach Program.

To Apply: Contact Nicole St. Germain, Outreach and Education Coordinator, via email at nicole.stgermain@eeoc.gov.  Please indicate whether you have any special skills such as speaking a language other than English, or proficiency in PowerPoint.