Office of General Counsel - Summer Law Clerk (GRA)
- Req. Number: IRC142310
- Organization : GC-DO/Office of General Counsel
- City, State: Los Alamos, New Mexico
What You Will Do
The Summer Law Clerk position is with the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL or Laboratory) Office of General Counsel (OGC), a critical mission enabler for the Laboratory's national security mission. The Law Clerk will work with attorneys across OGC functional groups on complex and cutting-edge legal issues arising from the operation of a premier national security laboratory.
Primary responsibilities may include:
The position is primarily a summer appointment, with the possibility of part-time, remote work during the academic year on a casual basis, subject to business needs and management discretion. The Summer Law Clerk will work assignments coordinated by the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel and will support a broad range of substantive projects across OGC functional areas.
Los Alamos National Laboratory is a premier national security science laboratory dedicated to solving national security challenges through scientific excellence. In support of the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA), LANL advances nuclear security, global stability, and cutting-edge scientific and engineering innovation in service of the nation. Triad National Security, LLC (Triad) manages and operates LANL on behalf of DOE/NNSA.
OGC works in close partnership with Laboratory leadership, management, and professionals to understand organizational objectives, identify and assess legal risk, and develop strategies that enable mission success while balancing risk and ensuring legal compliance. Through a collaborative, solutions-oriented approach, OGC delivers timely, practical legal solutions that advance LANL's national security objectives while upholding the highest ethical and professional standards.
OGC functional groups include:
Business Law (GC-BL): Provides legal advice related to Laboratory operations under the Prime Contract between Triad and DOE/NNSA. Areas of focus include acquisition services, ethics and audits, finance and accounting, prime contract support, real estate matters, risk management, and site access. GC-BL supports innovation and effective contract execution by applying best commercial practices consistent with Prime Contract requirements, offering compliance approaches that preserve operational flexibility.
Intellectual Property, Environment, and Regulatory (GC-IPER): Provides legal advice related to intellectual property, environmental compliance, and regulatory matters such as data security and health and safety. Attorneys partner closely with the Feynman Center for Innovation to safeguard intellectual property while enabling commercialization and collaboration. GC-IPER also supports institutional compliance programs and emphasizes proactive, mission-supportive compliance strategies.
Litigation and Employment Law (GC-LEL): Provides representation in litigation, administrative proceedings, and internal investigations, and advises on employment, labor, benefits, and immigration matters. GC-LEL works to resolve disputes efficiently, minimize risk, and capture lessons learned to strengthen governance and support mission execution.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
Desired Qualifications:
Work Location: The work location for this position is primarily onsite in Los Alamos, New Mexico. After the summer appointment, limited remote work may be available at management discretion.
LANL offers a professional, collaborative environment where legal professionals work closely with scientists, engineers, and operational leaders to enable mission success while managing risk and ensuring compliance.
Note to Applicants:
When applying, candidates must attach:
A resume;
A cover letter describing interest in the Office of General Counsel and relevant experience; and
An unofficial law school transcript.
Applications must be submitted by the posted deadline. Cover letters are most effective when they clearly articulate the applicant's interest in national security, public service, or complex institutional legal practice.
Note to Applicants:
Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Where You Will Work
Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:
§ PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
§ Dental and vision insurance
§ Free basic life and disability insurance
§ Paid childbirth and parental leave
§ Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
§ Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
§ Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
§ Onsite gyms and wellness programs
§ Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)
Additional Details
Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.
No Clearance: Position does not require a security clearance. Selected candidates will be subject to drug testing and other pre-employment background checks.
New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.
Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947.
The Summer Law Clerk position is with the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL or Laboratory) Office of General Counsel (OGC), a critical mission enabler for the Laboratory's national security mission. The Law Clerk will work with attorneys across OGC functional groups on complex and cutting-edge legal issues arising from the operation of a premier national security laboratory.
Primary responsibilities may include:
- Conducting legal research and analysis on a range of substantive legal issues;
- Drafting memoranda, presentations, and other written legal materials;
- Assisting with contract, regulatory, employment, intellectual property, environmental, and litigation-related matters;
- Participating in meetings where legal and policy decisions are discussed; and
- Supporting special projects for the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel.
The position is primarily a summer appointment, with the possibility of part-time, remote work during the academic year on a casual basis, subject to business needs and management discretion. The Summer Law Clerk will work assignments coordinated by the General Counsel and Deputy General Counsel and will support a broad range of substantive projects across OGC functional areas.
Los Alamos National Laboratory is a premier national security science laboratory dedicated to solving national security challenges through scientific excellence. In support of the Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration (DOE/NNSA), LANL advances nuclear security, global stability, and cutting-edge scientific and engineering innovation in service of the nation. Triad National Security, LLC (Triad) manages and operates LANL on behalf of DOE/NNSA.
OGC works in close partnership with Laboratory leadership, management, and professionals to understand organizational objectives, identify and assess legal risk, and develop strategies that enable mission success while balancing risk and ensuring legal compliance. Through a collaborative, solutions-oriented approach, OGC delivers timely, practical legal solutions that advance LANL's national security objectives while upholding the highest ethical and professional standards.
OGC functional groups include:
Business Law (GC-BL): Provides legal advice related to Laboratory operations under the Prime Contract between Triad and DOE/NNSA. Areas of focus include acquisition services, ethics and audits, finance and accounting, prime contract support, real estate matters, risk management, and site access. GC-BL supports innovation and effective contract execution by applying best commercial practices consistent with Prime Contract requirements, offering compliance approaches that preserve operational flexibility.
Intellectual Property, Environment, and Regulatory (GC-IPER): Provides legal advice related to intellectual property, environmental compliance, and regulatory matters such as data security and health and safety. Attorneys partner closely with the Feynman Center for Innovation to safeguard intellectual property while enabling commercialization and collaboration. GC-IPER also supports institutional compliance programs and emphasizes proactive, mission-supportive compliance strategies.
Litigation and Employment Law (GC-LEL): Provides representation in litigation, administrative proceedings, and internal investigations, and advises on employment, labor, benefits, and immigration matters. GC-LEL works to resolve disputes efficiently, minimize risk, and capture lessons learned to strengthen governance and support mission execution.
What You Need
Minimum Job Requirements:
- Enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school, with one academic year anticipated to be completed by position start date.
- Must be enrolled full-time (or full-time equivalent) during the academic year.
- Must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent).
- Strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills.
Desired Qualifications:
- Completion of relevant coursework such as: contracts, business law, Civil procedure, legal research and writing, legislation & regulation, administrative law, and/or advocacy.
- Demonstrated interest in public service, corporate law, national security, intellectual property, litigation, regulatory law (environment, health & safety, data security, etc), and/or employment law.
- Participation in law review, moot court, clinics, or similar practical learning opportunities.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary, mission-driven environment.
Work Location: The work location for this position is primarily onsite in Los Alamos, New Mexico. After the summer appointment, limited remote work may be available at management discretion.
LANL offers a professional, collaborative environment where legal professionals work closely with scientists, engineers, and operational leaders to enable mission success while managing risk and ensuring compliance.
Note to Applicants:
When applying, candidates must attach:
A resume;
A cover letter describing interest in the Office of General Counsel and relevant experience; and
An unofficial law school transcript.
Applications must be submitted by the posted deadline. Cover letters are most effective when they clearly articulate the applicant's interest in national security, public service, or complex institutional legal practice.
Note to Applicants:
Due to federal restrictions contained in the current National Defense Authorization Act, citizens of the People's Republic of China-including the special administrative regions of Hong Kong and Macau-as well as citizens of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea), and the Russian Federation, who are not Lawful Permanent Residents ("green card" holders) are prohibited from accessing facilities that support the mission, functions, and operations of national security laboratories and nuclear weapons production facilities, which includes Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Where You Will Work
Located in beautiful northern New Mexico, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. Our generous benefits package includes:
§ PPO or High Deductible medical insurance with the same large nationwide network
§ Dental and vision insurance
§ Free basic life and disability insurance
§ Paid childbirth and parental leave
§ Award-winning 401(k) (6% matching plus 3.5% annually)
§ Learning opportunities and tuition assistance
§ Flexible schedules and time off (PTO and holidays)
§ Onsite gyms and wellness programs
§ Extensive relocation packages (outside a 50 mile radius)
Additional Details
Directive 206.2 - Employment with Triad requires a favorable decision by NNSA indicating employee is suitable under NNSA Supplemental Directive 206.2. Please note that this requirement applies only to citizens of the United States. Foreign nationals are subject to a similar requirement under DOE Order 142.3A.
No Clearance: Position does not require a security clearance. Selected candidates will be subject to drug testing and other pre-employment background checks.
New-Employment Drug Test: The Laboratory requires successful applicants to complete a new-employment drug test and maintains a substance abuse policy that includes random drug testing. Although New Mexico and other states have legalized the use of marijuana, use and possession of marijuana remain illegal under federal law. A positive drug test for marijuana will result in termination of employment, even if the use was pre-offer.
Internal Applicants: Regular appointment employees who have served the required period of continuous service in their current position are eligible to apply for posted jobs throughout the Laboratory. If an employee has not served the required period of continuous service, they may only apply for Laboratory jobs with the documented approval of their Division Leader. Please refer to Policy Policy P701 for applicant eligibility requirements.
Equal Opportunity: Los Alamos National Laboratory is an equal opportunity employer. All employment practices are based on qualification and merit, without regard to protected categories such as race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status or spousal affiliation, physical or mental disability, medical conditions, pregnancy, status as a protected veteran, genetic information, or citizenship within the limits imposed by federal, state, and local laws and regulations. The Laboratory is also committed to making our workplace accessible to individuals with disabilities and will provide reasonable accommodations, upon request, for individuals to participate in the application and hiring process. To request such an accommodation, please send an email to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)-664-6947.
