Criminal Division (Prosecution)
The Criminal Division, or Prosecution, is responsible for prosecuting misdemeanor crimes including driving under the influence, domestic violence, and assault as well as participating in various mental health and wellness court matters. Criminal Division interns are immediately certified for courtroom appearances and spend time in the courtroom daily. Interns receive significant on the job training and have many opportunities to appear in court for hearings such as change of pleas, bail reviews, arraignments, and arguing motions. Additional opportunities include a police ridealong and trial observation. If interested, interns can work towards participation in a trial.
Eligibility: 2Ls only; Alaska Bar Rule 44 requires students to have completed at least 1.5 years of law school to appear in court.
Summer positions: Typically, two summer internship positions are available.
Office of Assembly Counsel (Legislative)
The Office of Assembly Counsel is responsible for providing legal advice to the Anchorage Assembly and its individual members in their official capacities, and assists the Municipal Clerk's Office with legal and procedural issues. Assembly Counsel attends the regular and special meetings of the Anchorage Assembly and Assembly committee meetings upon request; assists Assembly members with drafting ordinances, resolutions, and memoranda, and other documents; and provides opinions regarding legal issues in legislative, administrative, and quasi-judicial matters. Subject areas include open/public meetings, ethics, elections, alcohol and liquor licensing, marijuana licensing, local government structure and powers, service area, administrative law, parliamentary procedure, and any topic within a home rule municipality's legislative powers.
Legal interns duties include detailed research and writing assignments on a very wide range of topics related to proposed municipal ordinance and resolutions, or memorandum opinions. Interns work closely with the Municipal Clerk and Assembly Counsel and have opportunities to work with the Civil Division as well. Interns are expected to attend evening Anchorage Assembly Meetings and legislative work sessions, as well as committee meetings. They accompany attorneys to strategy meetings and are involved in researching legal issues and writing at every level of legislation, adjudication, and negotiation.
Eligibility: 1Ls and 2Ls. Preference will be given to applicants with knowledge and skill in American Sign Language.
Summer positions: Typically, one summer internship position is available.
How to Apply
The Municipality welcomes applicants of all different backgrounds. The Municipality is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, marital status, age, or physical or mental disability.
The Municipality offers each legal intern a stipend of up to $6,000 to help cover travel and housing costs, on the condition that each intern complete at least 10 weeks at full-time (40 hours per week). Start and end dates are flexible. All Municipal interns must pass a criminal background check. The office can also support students seeking externship credit.
Applications for summer positions are due by March 1, but considered before and after on a rolling basis until spots are filled. To apply, please submit the following as PDF files via e-mail to MunicipalAttorney@anchorageak.gov with the subject line “Legal Internship Application":
- cover letter (stating preference for Civil Division, Criminal Division, or Office of Assembly Counsel)
- resume
- short writing sample
- current law school and undergraduate transcripts (unofficial is acceptable; law school transcripts are not required for 1L students who have not received first-term grades by the time of submission).