The Government Lawyer: U.S. Attorney clinic allows students to examine firsthand the roles and responsibilities of a federal prosecutor.
Students are placed at the United States Attorney’s Office in Boston. Work may include research, writing, witness preparation, working with evidence, and attending hearings. U.S. citizenship is required to participate in the clinic. The Office of Clinical and Pro Bono Programs provides MBTA Charlie Cards to students traveling on public transportation to the placement in downtown Boston.
All students must complete a lengthy security clearance process by the Department of Justice, which involves numerous forms and fingerprinting. This process may take up to eight weeks for final clearance, which is then valid for only six months.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office offers placements in the following criminal divisions:
- Appeals Unit: The Appeals Unit is responsible for reviewing and approving all appellate briefs before they are filed.
- Anti-Terrorism and National Security Unit: The Anti-Terrorism and National Security Unit handles anti-terrorism investigations, those involving breaches of national security.
- Computer Crimes Unit: Investigates and prosecutes computer related crimes, including hacking, identity theft and other forms of computer fraud.
- Economic Crimes Unit: The Economic Crimes Unit handles complex economic crimes expected to require grand jury or other investigative effort.
- Health Care Fraud Unit: The Health Care Fraud Unit investigates and prosecutes complex health care fraud committed by corporate and individual defendants.
- Major Crimes Unit: The Major Crimes Unit handles violent crime, property crimes, fraud, theft, civil rights violations, and other matters of primary federal interest.
- Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force: Drug Unit cases range from “buy/bust” prosecution to sophisticated money laundering prosecution.
- Organized Crime Strike Force: The Organized Crime Force handles complex long term matters, utilizing extensive grand jury and electronic surveillance, often using statutes such as RICO.
- Public Corruption and Special Prosecution Unit: The Public Corruption Unit handles sensitive cases involving allegations of corruption against elected and appointed federal, state, and local officials.
How to Register
The clinic is offered in the Fall and Spring semesters. You can learn about the required clinical course component, clinical credits and the clinical registration process by reading the course catalog description and exploring the links in this section.
Fall 2025 Early Drop Deadline: May 16, 2025
Spring 2026 Early Drop Deadline: September 5, 2025
Meet the Instructor
James Dowden
Director; Lecturer on Law
Jim Dowden is a partner at Ropes & Gray LLP where he is co-leader of the firm’s government enforcement / white collar criminal defense practice. He is also co-leader of the firm’s crisis management and sensitive / independent investigations practices.
For five years, Jim served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the economic crimes and public corruption units in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Massachusetts. As a federal prosecutor, Jim investigated and tried a variety of fraud matters and high-profile public corruption cases.
Prior to joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Jim clerked for Associate Justice Stephen G. Breyer of the United States Supreme Court, and the Honorable Antony J. Scirica of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
Since 2003, Jim has been an adjunct professor at Boston College Law School, where he teaches courses on white collar crime, corporate compliance and capital punishment.