FINRA Legal Extern, Enforcement (UNPAID) - FALL 2025 SEMESTER

Legal externs work closely with Enforcement’s attorneys, investigators and management to assist Enforcement in investigating and determining whether FINRA regulated firms and/or associated individuals violated the federal securities laws or FINRA, or MSRB rules. Externs perform a variety of tasks including legal research and writing, and document review, as well as assisting staff to prepare for on-the-record testimony. Externs also have the opportunity to observe on-the-record interviews and settlement negotiations, and to attend departmental meetings and participate in trainings designed to build or enhance skills and knowledge.

Term of Position

• Fall: August- December

Students will work in their local office twice per week.

Hiring Criteria:

• Graduate student pursuing JD or LLM
• Securities law related course work and/or knowledge of securities law or brokerage regulations are not required, but preferred
• Securities industry experience is a plus
• Strong writing, analysis and research skills
• Strong work ethic, positive attitude and professional demeanor
• Ability to work with others to meet deadlines
• Ability to perform multiple tasks efficiently and accurately
• Fall and Spring externs must work a minimum of 12 hours weekly.
• Externs must earn current course credits (determined by school) and cannot work purely as a volunteer.  FINRA requires at least one credit.

Application Process:

Applicants must submit a:

• Current resume
• Current transcript
• Legal writing sample
• Cover letter explaining your interest in the externship, preferred posting location, and the qualifications making you an appropriate candidate
• Applicants must upload all of the required documents referenced above prior to submitting your application. Applications that do not include all of the required documents will not be considered.

All successful applicants will be required to pass a drug screening test and a minimal background check prior to starting the externship.

Legal externs will not be eligible for permanent attorney positions following graduation.  The FINRA Enforcement Department generally only hires experienced attorneys into permanent positions.

#LI-Hybrid

To be considered for this position, please submit an application. Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.

The information provided above has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work of the position. It is not a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities and qualifications required.

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FINRA strives to make our career site accessible to all users. If you need a disability-related accommodation for completing the application process, please contact FINRA's Employee Relations team at 240.386.4865 or by email at EmployeeRelations@finra.org. Please note that this process is exclusively for inquiries regarding application accommodations. 

Employees may be eligible for a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay. Non-exempt employees are also eligible for overtime pay in accordance with federal, state, or local law. As part of its dedication to employee wellness, FINRA provides comprehensive health, dental and vision insurance. Additional insurance includes basic life, accidental death and dismemberment, supplemental life, spouse/domestic partner and dependent life, and spouse/domestic partner and dependent accidental death and dismemberment, short- and long-term disability, long-term care, business travel accident, disability and legal. FINRA offers immediate participation and vesting in a 401(k) plan with company match and eligibility for participation in an additional FINRA-funded retirement contribution, tuition reimbursement, commuter benefits, and other benefits that support employee wellness, such as adoption assistance, backup family care, surrogacy benefits, employee assistance, and wellness programs.

Time Off and Paid Leave*

FINRA encourages its employees to focus on their health and wellness i