Legal Externship Program

About the Bureau

We are at a critical moment in our nation. Americans’ financial lives have suffered tremendously as a result of the pandemic, the associated economic dislocation, and ongoing racial inequity. These challenges are most acute for the most economically vulnerable Americans.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau was created for moments like this. Born out of the Great Recession, the Bureau was forged in crisis to vigorously protect America’s consumers. Our mission is to help consumer-finance markets work by making rules more effective, by consistently and fairly enforcing those rules, and by empowering consumers to take more control over their economic lives.

The Bureau has rulemaking, supervisory, and independent litigating authority, and its jurisdiction includes certain aspects of mortgage lending, credit reporting, auto lending, small-dollar lending, debt collection, student lending, and consumer bank accounts.

The Legal Externship Program

The Legal Externship Program is an unpaid opportunity for second, third- and fourth-year law students that allows you the chance to enhance your legal skills with substantive work and explore a career in public service. Participants in the Legal Externship Program at CFPB onboard at the beginning of the Fall or Spring Semester. The opportunities can be part-time or full-time with a minimum of 12 hours per week requirement.

Students receive on the job training in the technical aspects of the organization’s work as well as mentoring, networking, and opportunities to learn more about how we help empower the American consumer to make smart financial decisions. Legal Externs work with a variety of offices across divisions at CFPB covering a broad range of the Bureau’s legal and regulatory work.

Explore these opportunities and join the team the team today!

To Apply

We want our agency’s workforce to reflect the diversity of the American public. Our work will be most effective when we are able to incorporate a broad range of perspectives. We are, therefore, particularly interested in hearing from a diverse set of candidates with a range of personal and professional experiences.

Applications are accepted through individual internship announcements on USAJobs.

Click “Apply” on the job announcement that interests you, attach your relevant documentation (read each announcement carefully as to what you are required to provide), complete the questionnaire, and click submit!

To receive email notifications of when new CFPB Legal Externship opportunities are posted, set up a saved search , with keyword “Consumer Financial Protection Bureau”.

Candidate Evaluation

Applicants will be evaluated for program eligibility based on required submissions. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applicants may be asked to complete additional screening processes, including interviews. Veterans’ preference will be applied as appropriate.

Program Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for the Legal Externship Program, an applicant must:

(1) Be a U.S. Citizen or U.S. National

(2) Be a student currently enrolled at least half-time in an accredited four-year college or university as a 2L, 3L, and 4L law student.

(3) Submit academic transcripts demonstrating that you meet the eligibility requirements. (Unofficial is acceptable)

(4) Submit a cover letter

(5) Have the ability to obtain and maintain a background investigation.

Information Sessions

CFPB will host information sessions about the Legal Externship Program and the application process, including a question-and-answer period conducted over WebEx. You must register to attend. You should confirm you are able to access WebEx through your web browser or by downloading the application in advance of the webinar start time. The webinar sessions will take place on the following dates.

Webinar Session 1: TBD

Webinar Session 2: TBD

If you have additional questions or would like to be added to our email list to be notified of the window opening and closing, please email Pathways@cfpb.gov.