Internship Opportunities

Legal Internship Opportunities | DC Metro Area

About OGIS: Congress created the Office of Government Information Services (OGIS) within the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) when it passed the OPEN Government Act of 2007 amendments to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. § 552. OGIS's doors opened in September 2009. OGIS is the Federal FOIA Ombudsman -- answering questions, tracking suggestions and providing information about the FOIA process, and serving as a resource for the public and the federal government. OGIS is a place where anyone can ask for FOIA assistance. OGIS provides mediation services to resolve FOIA disputes, reviews agency compliance with FOIA, and identifies policies and procedures for improving FOIA compliance. In addition to its dispute resolution and compliance functions, OGIS’s Director chairs the Federal FOIA Advisory Committee, with staff providing the Committee with administrative support. OGIS’s director also co-chairs the Chief FOIA Officers' Council. OGIS provides dispute resolution training for FOIA staff of Federal agencies, and key FOIA stakeholders, including the requester community, civil society groups, and open government advocates.

Location: OGIS is physically located at the Government Publishing Office Building, 732 North Capitol Street, NW, Washington, DC.

Duties: Interns will complete FOIA legal research to assist staff in mediating disputes; compile and assess information about agency FOIA litigation to assist with compliance reporting; and assist in drafting advisory opinions, memoranda, and reports on related FOIA issues. Interns will also interact with agency FOIA officials and members of the FOIA requester community and attend FOIA training sessions and other events as they arise. 

Eligibility: Click here to learn about NARA's requirements for interns.

Qualifications:  Strong analytical and writing skills are a must, and an interest in administrative law, open government, and access laws are preferred.

Compensation:  Unfortunately, we are not able to pay our interns; however, we will cooperate with students who are eligible to receive academic or work-study credit from their law schools.

How to Apply: Please submit the following materials (not to exceed 10 pages) in one email to sheela.portonovo@nara.gov:

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Writing Sample