United States Copyright Office, Program for Law Clerks

The United States Copyright Office provides expert leadership and advice on copyright law and policy to the United States Congress, federal agencies, the courts, and the general public. The mission of the Copyright Office is to promote creativity by administering and sustaining an effective national copyright system. 

The Copyright Office has Fall 2026 positions available for unpaid law clerks in the Office of the General Counsel, the Copyright Claims Board, the Office of Public Information and Outreach, the Office of Policy and International Affairs, and the Office of Registration Policy and Practice. These units interpret the U.S. Copyright Act and advise Congress, executive branch agencies, and others on domestic and international policy matters. In addition, Copyright Office attorneys support work on critical projects and priorities of the Register of Copyrights, including legislative and policy initiatives, operational enhancements, and public outreach efforts.

Projects of law clerks include:

  • Attending congressional hearings, industry events, and roundtables.
  • Drafting portions of Copyright Office communications and reports.
  • Joining in meetings with stakeholders or domestic and foreign officials.
  • Conducting legal research and drafting memoranda.

Candidates for a law clerk position must either presently be enrolled in, or have graduated from, an accredited law school; have a demonstrated interest or background in copyright law as shown by relevant coursework or otherwise; and possess excellent research, writing, and editing abilities.

The United States Copyright Office is a federal agency that is part of the Library of Congress. Additional information about the Copyright Office can be found at www.copyright.gov. Details on how to apply can be found at https://copyright.gov/about/specialprograms/internships.html.

Location: ​Washington, DC* 

*The Copyright Office is currently operating under a hybrid schedule. There is a possibility that fall internships may be conducted fully or partly remote.

Practice areas: Copyright, Intellectual Property, Entertainment, Government, Government Policy, Litigation, Litigation-IP, Public Interest, Public Policy

Independent clinical credit is potentially available.

Contact information:  copyrightlawclerks@copyright.gov

How to apply: A candidate should email the following materials, combined into a single document pdfthat is labeled with the applicant’s name and intended term (for example, “Jane Smith Fall 2026”) to CopyrightLawClerks@copyright.gov, in the following order:

1. A statement of the candidate’s interest in and qualifications for the Law Clerk Program. The candidate should specify the time period for which the clerkship is sought and proposed start and end dates (e.g., August 13, 20XX, to November 21, 20XX). In addition, the candidate should indicate his or her preferred assignment by ranking the Copyright Office divisionsthat take law clerks (OGC, PIA, PIE, CCB, and, RPP), in order of preference (1 being the most preferred). Candidates’ preferred assignments are taken into consideration to the extent possible.

2. Resume

3. Contact information (name, title, organization, street address, email address, and phone number) for three academic or professional references with an indication of whether they may be contacted by the Office without first obtaining clearance from you.

4. Most recent law school transcript

5. A writing sample that is reflective of the candidate’s own writing (i.e., that has not been substantially edited by others). Candidates who have written on a copyright topic are strongly encouraged to submit that piece for their writing sample.