Law Clerk Intern - Summer 2026

We have an opening for a law student completing their second year of law school to serve as a Law Clerk in the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (Laboratory or LLNL) Office of General Counsel (OGC) during summer 2026.  

The OGC is comprised of eleven experienced attorneys, as well as other legal professionals, who provide legal advice and support to the Laboratory across a wide spectrum of practice areas. You can anticipate assignments in any of the substantive areas relevant to operation of the Laboratory: e.g., litigation; business transactions; environmental, safety and health; government contracts; export law; employment law; and more. 

This position is full-time and paid for up to 12 weeks during the summer of 2026. 

This position offers a hybrid schedule, blending in-person and virtual presence. You will have the flexibility to work from home three days per week.

You will

• Research and draft legal memoranda and other documents; compile, summarize and analyze factual material. 
• Perform legal research to gather relevant rules, regulations, and case law in all areas of law.
• Prepare drafts of transactional legal documents and analyze legal implications of proposed contractual language.
• Participate in external meetings such as with outside counsel, representatives of state and federal agencies, universities and private companies.
• Gather information to support the provision of legal advice and to learn about operations and legal matters at the Laboratory by meeting with Laboratory representatives.
• Prepare and present materials on legal and factual issues for varied audiences.
• Perform other general law assignments.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

• Must be eligible to access the Laboratory in compliance with Section 3112 of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). See Additional Information section below for details.
• Completed Bachelor’s Degree.
• Must be currently enrolled in the second year of studies at an ABA-accredited law school.
• Excellent writing and analytical skills.
• Experience performing legal and factual research.
• Experience writing memoranda documenting legal and factual research and analysis.
• Experience interpreting and applying state and federal laws, regulations, court rules and procedures.
• Experience accomplishing multiple tasks and resolving conflicting priorities.
• Experience demonstrating attention to detail, discretion, and judgment and tact in handling legal issues.
• Experience communicating effectively with all levels of employees and outside entities.

Qualifications We Desire

• Experience working successfully as part of a team.
• Interest and enthusiasm in learning about areas of law that may be unfamiliar.

#LI-Hybrid

Please use knockout question:  Are you currently enrolled as a second-year law student?

Why Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory?

• Included in 2025 Best Places to Work by Glassdoor!
• Holiday Pay
• Sick leave accrual
• Individual 401(k) contributions
• Our values - visit https://www.llnl.gov/inclusion/our-values 

Security Clearance

None required.  However, this position involves U.S. Export Control; this work must be performed by a U.S. person (U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, U.S. national, or U.S. protected individual (e.g., refugee, asylee)).

If your assignment is longer than 179 days cumulatively within a calendar year, you must go through the Personal Identity Verification process.  This process includes completing an online background investigation form and receiving approval of the background check.  (This process does not apply to foreign nationals.)

Pre-Employment Drug Test

External applicant(s) selected for this position must pass a post-offer, pre-employment drug test. This includes testing for use of marijuana as Federal Law applies to us as a Federal Contractor.

Wireless and Medical Devices

Per the Department of Energy (DOE), Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory must meet certain restrictions with the use and/or possession of mobile devices in Limited Areas. Depending on your job duties, you may be required to work in a Limited Area where you are not permitted to have a personal and/or laboratory mobile device in your possession.  This includes, but not limited to cell phones, tablets, fitness devices, wireless headphones, and other Bluetooth/wireless enabled devices.  

If you use a medical device, which pairs with a mobile device, you must still follow the rules concerning the mobile device in individual sections within Limited Areas.  Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities require separate approval. Hearing aids without wireless capabilities or wireless that has been disabled are allowed in Limited Areas, Secure Space and Transit/Buffer Space within buildings.

How to identify fake job advertisements

Please be aware of recruitment scams where people or entities are misusing the name of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) to post fake job advertisements. LLNL never extends an offer without a personal interview and will never charge a fee for joining our company. All current job openings are displayed on the Career Page under “Find Your Job” of our website. If you have encountered a job posting or have been approached with a job offer that you suspect may be fraudulent, we strongly recommend you do not respond.

To learn more about recruitment scams: https://www.llnl.gov/sites/www/files/2023-05/LLNL-Job-Fraud-Statement-Updated-4.26.23.pdf

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer that is committed to providing all with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, marital status, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, medical condition, pregnancy, protected veteran status, age, citizenship, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.

Reasonable Accommodation

Our goal is to create an accessible and inclusive experience for all candidates applying and interviewing at the Laboratory.  If you need a reasonable accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please use our online form to submit a request. 

California Privacy Notice

The California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) grants privacy rights to all California residents. The law also entitles job applicants, employees, and non-employee workers to be notified of what personal information LLNL collects and for what purpose. The Employee Privacy Notice can be accessed here.