USPTO Law Extern
Job Location:
Alexandria, VA - USA
Monthly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
This is an unpaid Law Extern position under the USPTO Law Extern Program. This program provides talented law school students with unique opportunities to gain valuable skills and professional experience. Join us to learn more about various career paths at the USPTO. For more information about the USPTO please visit the USPTO Careers Website.
This exciting opportunity is available for law school students during the Fall 2026 academic term (September through December). Some things you should know:
- This position may provide support to one of the following USPTO business units: the Office of General Counsel the Office of Policy and Internal Affairs the Patent and Trial Appeal Board the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board Patents or Trademarks.
- The duties assigned to this position are authorized to be performed in the United States (currently defined as the fifty states and the District of Columbia) and Puerto Rico.
- This position operates under a flexible hybrid remote/telework model allowing law externs to complete the majority of their legal research and support work from their home campuses with occasional in-person visits to the Alexandria campus as needed.
Apply quickly! This announcement is limited to the first 200 applications received. If the application limit is not reached by the closing date of the announcement all applications received during the open period will be considered.
- Applications will only be accepted from United States Citizens and Nationals.
- Must be registered for Selective Service if applicable ().
- Meet educational requirement.
- Must be currently enrolled as a law school student with a 2.75 or higher-grade point average.
- Must be in good academic standing.
To be eligible for this position you must: (1) be a U.S. Citizen or National; (2) currently enrolled in law school as a 1st 2nd or 3rd year law student with at least a 2.75 grade point average -- 1st year law students must have completed one semester; (3) be in good academic standing.
The ideal candidates should possess experience that includes performing legal research; and/or the ability to interpret analyze various issues/matters; and/or strong oral and written communication skills.
If selected the above eligibility requirements must be maintained throughout the period of employment.
All education beyond high school must be accredited by an accrediting body or organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Education: You must be enrolled in an accredited law school and taking at least a half-time academic course load. The definition of half-time is the definition provided by the school in which you are enrolled.
Students must be in good academic standing GPA of 2.75 or higher.
If this position requires proof of higher education or you are substituting education for experience you must submit an unofficial transcript or a list of courses that includes the following information: name of accredited institution grades earned completion dates and quarter and semester hours earned. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the requirements. Please refer to General Schedule Qualification Policies for more information. You are not required to submit official documents at this time; copies are sufficient.
Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence including transcripts to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. A listing of these accredited organizations can be found on the Department of Educations website - US Department of Education. Another listing of services that can perform this evaluation is available at the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) website. You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration.
NOTE: Only education and experience acquired before the filing deadline will be considered. Report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
If you are a male applicant born after December 31 1959 you must certify that you have registered with the Selective Service System. If you are exempt from registration under Selective Service Law you must provide appropriate proof of exemption. Please visit the Selective Service System website for more information.
Background Investigation - If selected for this position you may be required to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306) which includes a fingerprint and credit check to determine your suitability for Federal employment and to authorize a background investigation.
The USPTO participates in E-Verify. For more information on E-Verify please visit the Department of Homeland Security Website.
Relocation Expenses are not authorized and will not be paid.
This is a Public Trust position and has a risk level designation of LOW.
All application materials become the property of the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
USPTO Job Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should request accommodation(s) from the USPTO at USPTO Reasonable Accommodation.
The United States Patent and Trademark Office is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race color religion sex (including sexual orientation) national origin political affiliation marital status disability genetic information age pregnancy childbirth or related medical conditions retaliation for engaging in protected activity parental status military service or other non-merit factors. If you believe that you have been discriminated against and would like to file an EEO complaint you must do so within 45 days of the date of the alleged discriminatory act. Claims of employment discrimination must be submitted to the attention of the USPTOs Office of Equal Employment Opportunity via email () or phone ).
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government passionate about the ideals of our American republic and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Required Experience:
Intern
