Summary This is a student internship position under the Pathways Internship Program. Imagine a transformative summer experience working closely with trademark law experts as part of the USPTO Trademark Law Internship Program. Here we celebrate, support, and thrive by building the bridge between intellectual property and accessibility for all. For more information about the USPTO, please visit the USPTO Careers Website Responsibilities This exciting internship opportunity is available starting in late May or early June 2024 and end no later than August 30, 2024. Interns are asked to commit to work a full-time schedule during the duration of their appointment. Interns will be provided with a virtual workstation, Lexis/Nexis training, and other legal training as needed. The duties assigned to this position are authorized to be performed in the United States (currently defined as the fifty states and the District of Columbia) and Puerto Rico. The position is remote with the option of reporting to the physical office if you are in the local commuting area per agency and business unit discretion/policy. Apply quickly! This announcement is limited to the first 150 applications received. This internship program in the USPTO's Office of the Commissioner for Trademarks is tailored for law students with an interest in trademark law and the U.S. trademark registration process, although some research may touch upon international trademark law issues and related intellectual property issues. As part of the USPTO Trademark Law Internship Program, you will receive practical, virtual hands-on experience by engaging in a variety of diverse and challenging activities. This exciting opportunity is ideal for you if: You desire to work closely with senior leaders in trademark law. You are comfortable performing assignments independently or as a member of a team working to complete a project. You have an interest in research and learning more about issues regarding the registrability of trademarks under the Trademark Act (Lanham Act). You enjoy researching and drafting legal memos on questions arising from new case law. You are excited about the idea of researching issues presented in cases before the administrative board; and You desire to support other legal and administrative activities related to trademark law. All applications received prior to midnight (11:59 ET) of the day the application limit is reached will be accepted and considered. If the application limit is not reached by the closing date of the announcement, all applications received during the open period will be considered. Any required documents must be submitted at the time that you apply as documents will not be accepted past the day the application limit is reached, if applicable. Requirements Conditions of Employment Qualifications The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has not issued qualification standards for this position. USPTO sets minimum qualifications for the position and sets forth these qualifications in each vacancy announcement. To be eligible for this position, you must: (1) be a U.S. Citizen or National; (2) be currently enrolled in law school as a 1st or 2nd year law student with at least a 2.75 grade point average; (3) be in good academic standing; (4) submit a written statement, not to exceed 500 words, explaining your experience and/or interest in IP. The ideal candidates should possess experience that includes performing legal research; and/or the ability to interpret, analyze various issues/matters; and/or strong oral and written communication skills. It is desirable, but not required, for candidates to have IP experience (such as writing for an IP journal or participating in an IP clinic; having IP work experience or owning IP ownership). If selected, the above qualifications must be maintained throughout the period of employment. One full academic year of undergraduate; graduate; vocational; trades; or technical is the number of credit hours determined by the college, university or school to represent 1 year of full-time study. All education beyond high school must be accredited by an accrediting body or organization recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Education Education: You must be accepted or enrolled in an accredited law school and taking at least a half-time academic course load. The definition of half-time is the definition provided by the school in which you are enrolled. *It is desirable that the student has taken at least one (1) Intellectual Property law class prior to the start of this internship. GS-05: Candidates must be accepted or currently enrolled as a 1st year law student. GS-07: Candidates must be currently enrolled as a 2nd year law school student. Students must be in good academic standing (GPA of 2.75 or higher). Special Instructions for Foreign Education: Qualifying education from colleges and universities in foreign countries must be evaluated in terms of equivalency to that acquired in U.S. colleges and universities. Applicants educated in whole or in part in foreign countries must submit sufficient evidence, including transcripts, to an accredited private organization for an equivalency evaluation of course work and degree. A listing of these accredited organizations can be found on the Department of Education's website - US Department of Education. Another listing of services that an perform this evaluation is available at the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). You must provide a copy of the letter containing the results of the equivalency evaluation with a course by course listing along with your application. Failure to provide such documentation when requested will result in lost consideration. NOTE: Only education and experience acquired before the filing deadline will be considered. Report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Additional Information Background Investigation - If selected for this position, you may be required to complete a Declaration for Federal Employment (OF-306), to determine your suitability for Federal employment. The USPTO participates in E-Verify. For more information on E-Verify, please visit the Department of Homeland Security Website. Relocation Expenses are not authorized and will not be paid. All federal employees are required to have federal salary payments made by direct deposit to a financial institution of their choice. This is an Excepted Service Position. This position is NOT in the Bargaining Unit. This is a non-sensitive, low risk level designation. More than one selection may be made from this announcement if additional identical vacancies in the same title, series, grade, and unit occur within 90 days from the date the certificate was issued. All application materials become the property of the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The United States Patent and Trademark Office is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factors. If you believe that you have been discriminated against and would like to file an EEO complaint, you must do so within 45 days of the date of the alleged discriminatory act. Claims of employment discrimination must be submitted to the attention of the USPTO's Office of Equal Employment Opportunity & Diversity via email ([email protected]) or phone (571-272-8292).