Legal Internships and Externships with EPA's Environmental Appeals Board
The Environmental Appeals Board (Board) is the final EPA decision maker on administrative appeals under all major environmental statutes that EPA administers. Located in Washington, DC, the Board’s caseload consists primarily of appeals from permit decisions and civil penalty decisions, as well as petitions for reimbursement of costs incurred in complying with cleanup orders issued under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA). Private parties may appeal a Board decision in federal court. The four judges on the Board sit in panels of three and make decisions by majority vote. Learn more about the Board.
Who Should Apply?
The Board seeks legal interns to assist both the Environmental Appeals Judges and Counsel to the Board to conduct legal research, analyze applicable law and the administrative record, draft legal memoranda, and prepare final decisions. In addition to excellent legal research, writing, and analytical skills, the Board seeks applicants with an interest in environmental law, administrative law, or appellate litigation. Experience in any of these areas is a plus. The Board will consider applications from first- and second-year law students for the summer; second-year and third-year students are eligible to work in the fall and winter/spring semesters. Students must have U.S. citizenship.
Are the Positions Paid? Are there Benefits?
These positions are unpaid. Students may work as academic (for credit) interns, under a variety of public service or law-school-sponsored fellowships, or as unpaid law clerks or externs. A Metro transit subsidy is available.
What Dates Would I Work?
Start and end dates are negotiable. Summer positions are full-time only and require a commitment of at least eight weeks. Fall and winter/spring positions may be full-time/semester-in-practice (40 hours per week) or part-time (at least 15 hours per week) and require a commitment of at least ten weeks.
How Do I Apply?
Applicants should submit by the appropriate deadline:
- cover letter,
- resume,
- writing sample,
- transcript, and
- three references.
Deadlines are May 31 for Fall positions; October 31 for Winter/Spring positions; and January 31 for Summer positions.
Email transmission of application materials is preferred; please include your full name in the subject line.
Contact
Michelle Wenisch
Counsel to the Board
(202) 233-0122
wenisch.michelle@epa.gov
Eric Wilber
Counsel to the Board
(202) 233-0122
wilber.eric@epa.gov