Government Affairs and Public Policy Spring Intern

Steptoe LLP; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 23,000 - 32,000; Part time

Job summary

Steptoe LLP, a Washington, DC-based Am Law 100 firm, offers a Government Affairs and Public Policy Spring Internship. The part-time program (20–25 hours/week during the academic year) supports the GAPP group by tracking legislative trends, drafting memos, and preparing client reports, with a flexible hybrid work arrangement.

The summer internship is full-time (about 40 hours/week). Applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and a writing sample relevant to government affairs and public

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a four-year college degree.
• Demonstrated interest and some relevant experience in legislative affairs and/or political science (Capitol Hill experience a plus).

Responsibilities

• Assist with monitoring and analyzing legislative, regulatory, and political developments for clients.
• Draft memoranda and reports on congressional hearings and executive branch meetings.
• Monitor federal and state legislation for trends in priority policy areas.
• Synthesize key takeaways from national and international news for weekly client reports.
• Conduct a variety of research in support of GAPP initiatives.
• Assist with administrative functions as needed.

Skills

Interest in legislative affairs

Effective communicator

Strong attention to detail

Advanced research and writing

Education

Pursuing a four-year college degree

Job description

Government Affairs and Public Policy Spring Intern

Steptoe LLP, a Washington, DC-based Am Law 100 firm, is actively seeking a legislative and regulatory intern to support the initiatives of the Government Affairs and Public Policy (GAPP) Group. GAPP interns assist members of the team in monitoring and analyzing legislative, regulatory, and political developments for clients across a variety of industries.

Day-to-day responsibilities include tracking legislative trends, researching public policy issues, covering congressional hearings and executive branch meetings, drafting memoranda and reports, and general administrative support. Steptoe's GAPP internship program follows the academic semester/summer schedule. Our academic year internship is a part-time program, approximately 20-25 hours per week, and our summer internship is a full-time program, approximately 40 hours per week. You can find additional information about our program and the hiring and internship timeline below.

Application Deadline: October 23, 2026

The standard semester schedule is as follows:

• Fall: Early September to mid-December
• Spring: Early January to mid-May
• Summer: Early June to mid-August

For consideration, please submit a cover letter, resume, and two-to-four-page writing sample with subject matter relevant to government affairs and public policy. All materials should be submitted in PDF file format. Applicants who fail to submit all three materials will not be considered.

Essential Functions

• Support members of the GAPP practice group in monitoring and analyzing legislative, regulatory, and political developments for a diverse range of clients.
• Draft clear, well-reasoned memorandum for clients on congressional hearings and executive branch meetings.
• Monitor federal and state legislation for trends in priority policy areas.
• Synthesize key takeaways from national and international news for weekly client reports.
• Conduct a variety of research in support of GAPP initiatives.
• Assist with administrative functions as needed.

Non-Essential Functions

• Complete other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualification

• Currently pursuing a four-year college degree from an accredited university.
• Demonstrated interest and some relevant experience in legislative affairs and/or political science (Capitol Hill experience a plus).

Success Factors

• Strong attention to detail.
• Effective communicator.
• Advanced research, writing, and analytical skills.
• Excitement to learn and self-starter mindset.
• Team player and positive attitude.

Work Environment

• Non-smoking environment.
• This internship offers a hybrid schedule that combines in-person collaboration with remote flexibility. Interns are expected to work in the office as needed during normal business hours, 9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m., a minimum of three days a week, Monday through Friday.
• Complete other duties as assigned

The anticipated base salary range for this position is $20 per hour. The actual base salary offered will be dependent upon the applicant's experience and qualifications, as well as other job-related factors, including but not limited to, relevant skills, education, certifications or other professional licenses held, and if applicable, geographic location.

Steptoe LLP is an equal opportunity employer EOE/Disability/Veteran. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, marital status, mental or physical disability, genetic information, or any basis proscribed by applicable statutes.