Description
The Legislative and Public Policy practice of Arnold & Porter offers a paid spring clerkship program for college students interested in careers in government policy and advocacy. Arnold & Porter is one of the world’s leading law firms, with more than 1,000 lawyers practicing in Washington, DC, eight other domestic offices, and international offices in Europe, China, and Korea. Many of our lawyers have served in key government positions and offer the firm’s clients a sophisticated understanding of the relationship between government and business with nearly 20% of the firm’s business being in regulatory and public policy work.
This clerkship program is focused in the Legislative and Public Policy practice where the clerk’s professional development is a top priority. Participants in this clerkship program may also find an opportunity to gain exposure to other areas of legal practice. Some of the spring clerks’ responsibilities may include:
Monitoring health care, trade, tech, energy, education, financial services, appropriations, and defense policy developments;
Drafting background research and client memos relating to legislative efforts and regulatory policy; and
Shadowing teams for congressional, regulatory, and administrative stakeholder engagement.
Applicants are encouraged from all academic majors but must be able to demonstrate strong writing skills and an interest in public policy as a future career path. Previous government-related experience is recommended, although not required.
This clerkship is only available in our Washington, DC office and will consist primarily of in-person work. To be eligible for this program, applicants must be:
A current junior or senior in their undergraduate education in the spring of 2027; and
Available to work a hybrid full time schedule of 37.5 hours per week Monday through Friday from mid-January through late-April. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays will be required “in office” days where individuals will be required to be in the physical office.
Available to work daily shift hours of 8:30 am to 5:00 pm.
To apply, eligible applicants must submit a resume with current cumulative GPA, a cover letter, and a 1-3 page writing sample on an advocacy/policy topic of their choosing (writing samples of more than 3 pages will disqualify a candidate for failure to follow directions). All interested candidates must submit their documents by 5:00 p.m. ET on Monday, October 19, 2026.
This position pays $18.40 per hour. As a nonexempt position, this position is eligible for overtime.
Arnold & Porter is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, pregnancy and childbirth (including breastfeeding and related medical conditions), age, marital or partnership status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family leave status, citizenship status, immigration status, ancestry, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state or federal laws, rules or regulations. Our Firm's equal opportunity policy applies to all employment practices and terms and conditions, including, without limitation, recruitment, employment, assignment, training, compensation, benefits, promotions, disciplinary action and terminations. For purposes of the firm's Anti-discrimination and Anti-harassment Policies, the term "race" includes, without limitation, traits historically associated with race, including, but not limited to, hair texture and protective hairstyles, such as braids, locks, and twists.
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For our EEO Policy Statement, please click here. If you would like more information about your EEO rights as an applicant under the law, please click Know Your Rights.
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