Law students grapple with job uncertainty, hiring freeze
Many law students had federal government internships and job offers secured for this summer. Then President Donald Trump declared a “hiring freeze.”

Christina Lee, Head Photography Editor
Elizabeth Bailey LAW ’27 planned to work at the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District of New York next summer. On Jan. 24, however, she learned that her position was uncertain due to the hiring freeze enacted by President Donald Trump.
Bailey, like many other law students, had her summer plans thrown into jeopardy. Though not an official rescinded offer, the U.S. Attorney’s Office communicated to her that the position was uncertain due to the executive order. Other programs, such as the Department of Justice Honors Program, a prestigious opportunity to gain entry-level positions in the federal government, have officially revoked their offers.
“I definitely have a lot of sympathy and empathy for everyone impacted,” Bailey said. “There’s just a lot of uncertainty created by the executive order, which is what makes it so challenging to navigate, both for students and for the agencies.”
On his first day in office, Trump issued an executive order announcing “a freeze on the hiring of Federal civilian employees.”
This executive order led the U.S. Department of Justice to rescind job offers to law students who were set to join the agency this summer.
Legal commentator David Lat LAW ’99 noted the hiring freeze as one of five Trump moves that matter for lawyers on his Substack, Original Jurisdiction. Lat highlighted that the DOJ Honors program is one of “very few” opportunities for recent law graduates to gain experience in the federal government.
“Students are going to be forced to scramble for other opportunities which may not be as valuable or educational or prestigious as the ones they lost at the Justice Department,” said Lat, adding that he feels for the students who have lost their positions.
The hiring freeze extends to both paid and unpaid volunteer internships, such as the one Bailey had secured.
Imam Syed LAW ’27 was planning on working for the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Jersey until he received notice that the future of this position was uncertain. Syed was also planning to work an unpaid volunteer position.
“With the unpaid internships, they were going to be giving to the government more than they would be receiving,” said Lat.
Following news that he would have to look elsewhere for positions, Syed started contacting clerkships and law firms. Syed highlighted how the Law School’s network and Yale Law School’s Career Development Office have been especially helpful in adjusting to the job market following the executive order and hiring freeze.
On Jan. 27, the Yale Law School Career Development Office sent an email to students detailing resources amidst the uncertain hiring landscape. The email stated, “Please know that a summer internship is just one part of your law school journey and that great summer opportunities remain available.”
A spokesperson from the Law School confirmed that the Career and Development Office is supporting affected students.
Syed noted that the Law School has specifically expanded summer funding for first-year students through the Summer Public Interest Fellowship, or SPIF. The SPIF provides funding for Yale Law students pursuing unpaid internships in the public interest. Following the hiring freeze, the SPIF expanded to offer funding for volunteer judicial internships.
“I feel very fortunate, very blessed, going to a school that has these connections and resources,” said Syed, adding that upperclassmen have been additionally helpful in his job search.
Patrick Ma LAW ’27 noted that the “strong” public interest culture at the Law School could make the hiring freeze have a larger impact on the student body. Ma added that he has friends who have lost federal positions over the past week.
Ma added that the freeze may deter students from future work in the public interest sector.
“I think it might be a little bit demoralizing for people who are interested in the public interest, because this really reaffirms the constant concern that public interest jobs result in lower job security and more uncertain prospects,” said Ma.
On the other hand, Bailey cited how this freeze has the potential to push YLS students who were planning to work in the federal government toward non-profit organizations and local governments.
“A lot of local government and nonprofit jobs could use talented candidates who typically would be looking at the federal government,” noted Bailey.
Lat noted that it’s “too early” to say what comes next with federal internships. He highlighted that it is uncertain whether law students will have to wait a year or longer for these federal positions to become available again.
Regardless of the future, students at Yale Law School are currently in the process of reapplying for alternative summer opportunities.
“I’ve definitely been pleased with how I feel like the Yale community has come together,” Bailey said. “So many students are in the same boat. It’s nice to not feel like anyone’s alone going through this.”
The Department of Justice was created on July 1, 1870.