“Good morning. I’m here on behalf of the United States of America.” In few positions besides Assistant U.S. Attorney are the Nation’s interest and safety so frequently embodied in a single representative. United States Attorneys and their assistants are uniquely charged with pursuing not just policies, but justice—justice for communities, justice for victims, and justice even for those defending themselves against criminal charges. The United States Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Iowa is among the best in the Nation in that pursuit, and there are opportunities for you to immerse yourself with that team: We’re seeking Law Student Volunteers to work in our Cedar Rapids and Sioux City offices for the Spring 2026–2027 academic term.
These in-person positions are for students who are interested in the federal legal system and in developing practical skills. You’ll become familiar with the Federal Rules of Civil and Criminal Procedure, the Federal Rules of Evidence, the local rules of practice for the United States District Court, and the local and Federal Rules of Appellate Procedure. You may have the chance to attend depositions and meetings with investigative agents; you’ll often accompany Assistant U.S. Attorneys and Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys to court proceedings in their cases or in cases of general interest in the office.
As a Law Student Volunteer, your duties will include, for example, legal research; drafting memoranda and pleadings; trial preparation; and drafting motions and responses, memoranda of law, and appellate briefs. If you qualify to practice under the court’s student-practice rules, you may have the opportunity to present or argue at hearings.
You and the U.S. Attorney’s Office will jointly determine your hours of duty and the duration of your volunteer service.
