Kiana Pitsch's Spring 2024 Internship at the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia
/Kiana Pitsch, a senior Political Science with Honors and Psychology double major and Strategic Communication minor from Gustavus Adolphus College, spent the Spring 2024 semester interning at the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia.
Tell us about your internship experience.
I had the amazing opportunity to intern at the United States Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia, which serves as both the local and federal prosecutor for the nation’s capital. In particular, I was assigned to intern in the Civil Division. This division handles civil litigation involving the Federal government in the District of Columbia. The civil litigation assigned to the U.S. Attorney's Office includes both defensive and affirmative cases and matters at the trial and appellate levels.
As an undergraduate intern, my typical responsibilities included legal research, proofreading and cite checking legal writing, and attending court. Of the multiple projects that I took on during the course of my internship, my favorite would be researching and drafting memorandums on the monetary penalties to impose on chronic offenders of the Lobbying Disclosure Act, which imposes registration and reporting requirements on persons engaged in lobbying activities. Since the Civil Division plays an important role in the enforcement of the Lobbying Disclosure Act, I really enjoyed working on a project that was a part of securing compliance through civil actions.
Overall, my favorite parts about my internship were learning aspects of civil litigation from seasoned United States Attorneys and all the opportunities I had to sit in on court. As a first-generation student that will be starting law school this fall, I am beyond grateful to have gained this professional experience in the field of government and law, and I know this array of experiences will definitely aid me in my pursuit of a legal education.
What was your favorite part about living in DC this semester?
I absolutely loved my semester living in Washington, DC! DC has a very rich history and cultural diversity, so there was always something happening from visiting the iconic monuments and museums to exploring vibrant neighborhoods with their unique atmosphere and cuisines. If you love to try new food, I would definitely recommend trying some Ethiopian food while you are here. The DC area has one of the largest Ethiopian populations in the United States, so having some Ethiopian food is for sure an item you need to check off the bucket list. I am also a classical music geek, so I would recommend attending a symphony orchestra concert at the Kennedy Center. Even if you're not a classical music fanatic like me, I believe it would be a unique and enriching experience for anyone. Also, if you enjoy cool architecture, tour the Library of Congress! It was by far my favorite building in DC that I had visited with its Beaux-Arts style design and elaborately decorated interior.
What advice do you have for future students in our program?
While I do highly recommend taking advantage of all the time you have in DC to explore new places and things, I also think it is important to maintain a healthy work-school-life balance. During your time out in DC, you are most likely trying to balance your full-time internship, classes, and your social life, which can sometimes be overwhelming and exhausting. Therefore, it's essential to not forget to prioritize self-care by making time for activities that recharge you, set clear boundaries between your work, school, and personal life, and have transparent communication with your supervisor or professors if you are feeling overwhelmed. Everyone is there to best support you during your time in DC, so don’t be afraid to set boundaries or reach out for help if you need it!
