Law Clerk, Department of Natural Resources
Description
The Attorney General is the chief legal officer of the State of Maryland. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) has the general charge, supervision, and direction of the State’s legal business, acting as legal advisors and representatives of the major agencies, various boards, commissions, officials, and institutions of State Government. The OAG also protects the public by civil enforcement of antitrust, civil rights, consumer protection, and securities laws and regulations and by the prosecution of organized crime, Medicaid fraud, environmental crimes, insurance fraud, state tax evasion, and other statutorily assigned matters. As Maryland’s 47th Attorney General, Anthony G. Brown leads the Office with a critical focus on equity, justice, and fairness.
The Office of the Attorney General for the Department of Natural Resources is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Law Clerk for Summer 2026. This is an excellent opportunity for current law students or recent graduates to gain hands-on experience in government legal practice, including litigation, regulatory compliance, and policy development.
The Office of the Attorney General for the Department of Natural Resources (“DNR”) advises, represents, and defends the Department in upholding its mission to preserve, protect, restore and enhance the State’s natural resources. In furtherance of that mission, the office provides advice and regulatory and litigation support to the Department’s units and programs, which includes the Maryland Environmental Trust, the Chesapeake Bay Trust, and the Critical Area Commission for the Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays; acquisition of lands or interests in lands of significant natural resource or conservation value; acquisition of lands for recreational use; management of State forests and parks; regulation of recreational and commercial taking of fish and wildlife within the State; management and regulation of aquaculture; protection of threatened and endangered species of fish and wildlife; license registration, excise tax collection, and regulation of vessels; enforcement of forest and tree protection laws; and law enforcement through the Natural Resource Police and State forest and park rangers.
As a law clerk you will:
- Conduct legal research and draft memoranda on a wide range of natural resources issues,
including fisheries, wildlife, parks, real estate, and governmental procedures - Assist in the preparation of legal documents, including pleadings, motions, and briefs
- Review and summarize case files, contracts, administrative records, and real estate
documents - Support attorneys in litigation preparation, including discovery and trial preparation
- Attend hearings, depositions, and client meetings as appropriate
- Assist with legislative and regulatory review and analysis
- Perform other duties as assigned in support of the legal team
Minimum Qualifications:
- Current enrollment in an accredited law school
- Strong legal research and writing skills
- Demonstrated interest in public interest work and natural resources/environmental law
- Ability to manage multiple assignments and meet deadlines
- Familiarity with Westlaw, LexisNexis, or other legal research tools
- Professionalism, discretion, and a commitment to ethical legal practice
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience working in a public law office, legal clinic, or government agency
- Coursework in administrative law, natural resources law, or environmental law
- Familiarity with Maryland law and court procedures
Important Dates:
- Offer letters will be sent out by April 24, 2026
- Summer 2026 start dates are June 1, June 8, & June 15, 2026
- Summer 2026 end dates are August 14 - 31, 2026
Commitment To Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, And Belonging: The Office of the Attorney General views equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging as the pathway to achieving professional excellence and fostering and maintaining a culture where every employee can thrive. We strive to create a community that draws upon the best pool of talent to unify excellence and diversity while fully embracing individuals from varied backgrounds, cultures, races, identities, life experiences, perspectives, beliefs, and values. We honor, respect, and celebrate all differences, both visible and invisible, and are committed to recruiting, retaining, and promoting individuals who have historically been underrepresented in the practice of law and professional careers.