TN Dept. of Human Services Internships
Tennessee Department of Human Services’ Office of General Counsel
Internship Opportunities (Statewide Internships available)
The mission of the Tennessee Department of Human Services (DHS) is to strengthen Tennessee by strengthening Tennesseans. Our mission vision is to revolutionize the customer experience by growing capacity to reduce dependency. The Tennessee Department of Human Services’ Office of General Counsel (OGC) serves as in-house counsel for the Department. OGC attorneys perform a variety of tasks for the Department including litigation, drafting legislation, reviewing contracts, and providing advice on all legal matters from HR issues to compliance with state and federal rules and regulations.
The OGC is seeking interns in our Memphis, Nashville, and Knoxville offices for the Summer 2025, Fall 2025, & Winter 2026 semesters! Our interns can work with OGC attorneys in-person in their assigned office, and virtually with our other offices across the state. We believe our program is a partnership, and that both parties should benefit from the pairing. So, we allow our interns to tailor their experience to gain substantive legal experience in the practice area(s) that align with their educational and professional goals.
See this link to learn MORE ABOUT TDHS
OGC interns will work with our attorneys on a variety of subject matters including policy, government contracts, research and analysis, and litigation of administrative hearings and appeals. Typical projects may include: meeting with clients or other external partners; drafting documents on behalf of the Department including: memoranda, pleadings, orders, contracts and solicitations; analyzing pending policy and legislation during legislative session; counseling and advising our program clients on a variety of issues; and attending hearings, trials, rule-making sessions, meeting with and before the legislature, and other administrative proceedings.
Our internships are voluntary (pro bono hours) or for class credit (through the externship program).
We also offer part-time semester internships. Interviews are scheduled on a rolling basis.
Summer 2025 applications are due March 17, 2025.
Fall 2025 applications are due June 2, 2025, and
Winter 2026 applications are due November 3, 2025.
START YOUR APPLICATION HERE
Email Jamie.A.Murphy@tn.gov with questions
TDHS Programs at a Glance: TDHS At a Glance Two-Pager
