Legal Intern

Summer Graduate Interns at OATH take on diverse responsibilities, including researching and drafting memoranda related to employment, property, and licensing laws. Interns will prepare summaries for trial records, assist law clerks and Administrative Law Judges (ALJs) in expediting their workflows, and gather vital information for potential appellate decisions. This role encourages active participation in policy discussions and exposure to real-world legal processes.

To be considered for the Summer Graduate Intern position at OATH, candidates must be currently enrolled in a graduate degree program at an accredited college, university, or law school. Furthermore, the position requires NYC residency within 90 days of starting and ongoing matriculation in a degree program throughout the duration of employment, which cannot exceed six years.

During the school year, Summer Graduate Interns at OATH are authorized to work up to 17 hours per week. This flexible schedule allows interns to balance their educational commitments while gaining valuable experience in the legal field.

Summer Graduate Interns will have the opportunity to work across several divisions at OATH, including the Office of the General Counsel, the Trials Division, and the Appeals Unit. This exposure allows interns to diversify their understanding of administrative law and judicial processes.

Yes, OATH is an inclusive equal opportunity employer dedicated to fostering diversity in the workplace. The organization is committed to creating an environment free from discrimination and harassment, ensuring fair recruitment and retention practices for all candidates regardless of their background.

When answering this question, emphasize your passion for administrative law and your desire to learn from an influential legal institution. Mention specific aspects of OATH's work that excite you, such as the opportunity to impact city policies or work with administrative law judges.

To address this, discuss your organizational skills and tools you use, such as checklists, project management software, or scheduling techniques. Provide suggestions on how you prioritize tasks based on deadlines and importance to demonstrate your efficiency.

Share a specific instance where you conducted thorough legal research, detailing the methods you used to gather information, analyze data, and present your findings. Highlight your ability to communicate complex legal concepts clearly and concisely.

Here, talk about any relevant group projects or internships where you collaborated with others. Describe your role, how you contributed to group success, and the importance of clear communication and shared goals in team environments.

Discuss the necessary steps to draft a legal memorandum, including research, organization of facts, legal analysis, and citation of relevant laws. Emphasize the importance of clarity and accuracy in legal writing.

Mention skills like critical thinking, research proficiency, legal writing, and strong communication abilities. Illustrate how these skills are crucial for effectively supporting the work of attorneys and ALJs.

Explain how you view constructive criticism as an opportunity for growth. Provide an example of a time you received feedback and how you used it to improve your work or approach.

Outline your interest in administrative law and its relevance to public governance. Discuss potential impacts you believe this area of law can have on society and why working at OATH is a great fit for you.

Frame your response around a specific legal challenge you've faced, detailing your thought process, research methods, and how your solution ultimately benefited your team or project. This demonstrates problem-solving skills.

Research OATH's mission and values prior to the interview. Speak about how their focus on fairness, efficiency, and transparency in legal proceedings aligns with your personal values and career aspirations.