Job Details for Judicial Intern

The U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky is accepting applications for a one-year term student internship as part of the Federal Judiciary’s Model Intern Program (MIP). The Federal Judiciary is committed to developing and investing in a strong pipeline of talented individuals from all segments of society to advance its mission of delivering fair and impartial justice. The MIP provides opportunities for talented college students to compete for paid internships with federal courts throughout the country, preparing them for future employment opportunities within the Judiciary. The position is being offered to rising junior and senior undergraduate students. Learn more about the Model Intern Program here.

The position is headquartered in Louisville, KY and will include rotations with the U.S. District and Bankruptcy Courts and Probation and Pretrial Services division for the Western District of Kentucky. The incumbent will report directly to the Chief Deputy Clerk of the U.S. District Court and will work with federal judges, judicial officers, court unit executives, practitioners, probation officers, and other court officials, performing or assisting in the performance of a variety of judicial, legal, and/or administrative functions within the federal judiciary. The intern will function as a student trainee, working full-time (no more than 40 hours per week) during the Summer semester and part-time (no more than 20 hours per week) during the Fall and Spring semesters.

Representative Duties:

• Sort, classify, copy, distribute, and file court records, gain exposure to Case Management/Electronic Case Filing system (CM/ECF)
• Assist judicial, legal, professional, and/or administrative staff in collecting, maintaining, and processing case information
• Prepare and mail juror qualification materials and summonses as needed for grand and petit jury service
• Sort qualification questionnaires and jury summonses. Review and process requests from prospective jurors to be excused or deferred. Follow up on persons who fail to respond to questionnaires or summonses and take appropriate action to ensure compliance
• Conduct juror orientation, roll call, and lineup. Escort panel to courtroom when called by Judges, attend viore dire procedures as needed
• Organize legal pleadings, briefs, motions, and letters for judicial, legal, professional, and/or administrative staff
• Assist with legal research, preparation of draft orders and opinions, and courtroom proceedings
• Gain direct interaction with judges, courtroom staff, probation and pretrial services staff, Federal Public Defenders, and U.S. Attorney’s office personnel
• Work with the procurement and facilities manager on major projects such as renovation of new mediation, jury assembly, and grand jury rooms
• Assist the procurement and facilities manager in coordinating the receipt of orders and services, escorting contractors in secure areas, and delivering mail and supplies to chambers
• Support human resources activities such as Law Clerk Orientation, employee onboarding and offboarding, and Wellness Committee initiatives
• Assist in coordinating and participate in special events such as naturalization ceremonies, investitures, and community outreach projects
• Shadow U.S. Probation and Pretrial Services officers, learning about day-to-day work of the probation officer
• Assist with pretrial service investigations, monitoring individuals under supervision, drafting reports, and managing treatment contracts
• Attend Power Hour Sessions featuring judges, court unit executives, and other key figures in court administration and Virtual Cohort Sessions focused on interview skills, resume building, and career coaching
• Perform other duties as assigned