Legal Department - Summer Internship
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Overview
Job Description
Welcome to the City of Charlotte
Charlotte is America’s Queen City, opening her arms to a diverse and inclusive community of residents, businesses and visitors alike. Here you will find a safe, family-oriented city where people work together to help everyone thrive. The mission of the City of Charlotte is to deliver quality public services and promote the safety, health, and quality of life for all residents.
Our guiding principles include:
Attracting and retaining a skilled and diverse workforce
Valuing teamwork, openness, accountability, productivity, and employee development
Providing all customers with courteous, responsive, accessible, and seamless quality services
Taking initiative to identify, analyze, and solve problems
Collaborating with stakeholders to make informed decisions
SUMMARY
Charlotte Water is seeking motivated law students to participate in its Summer 2026 Internship Program. The ideal candidate will be a first-year law student at an accredited law school during the 2025-2026 school year and available to work full time (40-hour week) beginning mid-May 2026 through August 2026. Selected candidates will be compensated at a rate of $31/hr.This is an exciting opportunity to work closely with municipal attorneys who provide legal services to Charlotte Water in a fast-paced and professional work environment. You will gain critical experience by participating in a variety of projects, including performing legal research, assisting in the preparation of cases for hearing/trial, preparing reports and memoranda of law, and attending meetings with Charlotte Water personnel.We are looking for highly competent first-year law students who will produce quality work and are willing to be an integral part of Charlotte Water.
A complete application must include:
Resume
Cover Letter
Writing Sample (must be your original work)
Most recent law school transcripts
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
Provide legal advice and counsel on various matters affecting Charlotte Water.
Attend meetings with Charlotte Water personnel.
Identify and assist favorably to resolve operational and business issues affecting Charlotte Water.
Research and advise on compliance with local, state, and federal laws specific to water, wastewater, and environmental issues.
Review and draft documents.
Conduct legal research and draft, review and write legal opinions.
Preferred Qualifications:
The ideal candidate will be a law student at an accredited law school during the 2026-2027 school year and available to work full time (40-hour week) beginning mid-May 2026 through August 2026.
Minimum Qualifications:
A first year law student at a law school accredited by the American Bar Association during the 2025-2026 school year and available to work full time (40-hour week) beginning mid-May 2026 through August 2026.
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
Provide legal advice and counsel on various matters affecting Charlotte Water.
Attend meetings with Charlotte Water personnel.
Identify and assist favorably to resolve operational and business issues affecting Charlotte Water.
Research and advise on compliance with local, state, and federal laws specific to water, wastewater, and environmental issues.
Review and draft documents.
Conduct legal research and draft, review and write legal opinions.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
Ability to work collaboratively with others, analyze issues from a legal and practical perspective, and provide clear advice and counsel.
Possess a business acumen and the ability to address property transactions effectively.
Ability to master new material quickly, manage a diverse legal portfolio, and handle a fast-paced environment.
Ability to think creatively and quickly to solve problems.
Ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, colleagues, the public, elected and appointed officials, and City staff.
CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT
The City’s Background Check Policy requires background checks to be conducted on final internal or external candidate(s) applying for any position with the City of Charlotte. The type of information that will be collected as part of a background check includes, but is not limited to: reference checks, social security verification, education verification, criminal conviction record check, and, if applicable, a credit history check, sex offender registry and motor vehicle records check.
Background checks must be in compliance with all federal and state statutes, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA). The checks must be consistent with the guidelines set forth by these laws requiring organizations to obtain a candidate’s written authorization before obtaining a criminal background report, motor vehicle records check or credit report; and to properly store and dispose of information derived from such reports.
Final candidates must pass a pre-employment drug-screening test and physical examination. During the selection process, candidates may be asked to take a skills test, and/or participate in other assessments.
The City of Charlotte is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or on the basis of actual or perceived gender as expressed through dress, appearance, or behavior.
Our culture is to serve the community honorably.
HOW TO APPLY
Apply online.
Federal law requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Please tell us if you require a reasonable accommodation to apply for a job.
You are welcome to visit the City of Charlotte Human Resources Department lobby, where self-service application kiosks are available. They are located in our office at 700 East 4th Street, Suite 200, Charlotte, NC 28202. We are open Monday through Friday, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. (EST), excluding official City holidays.
For questions about your application or the hiring process, please email Careers@ci.charlotte.nc.us
The City of Charlotte is committed to making our services and programs accessible to all. Upon request, auxiliary aids, written materials in alternate formats, language access, and other reasonable accommodations or modifications will be provided. To make a request, please fill out the Innovation & Technology ADA request form or call 704.336.4120.
BENEEFITS
The City of Charlotte provides a comprehensive benefits package to eligible employees.
Clickhereto learn more about the City of Charlotte’s benefits.
The City of Charlotte is a drug and alcohol-free workplace.
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