Legal Internship

About the Legal Department

The OCCC’s legal department consists of three attorneys and two paralegals.  The legal department provides legal support to the agency by bringing enforcement actions, performing legal research, drafting rules and advisory bulletins, tracking legislation, and processing public information requests. We are routinely asked to interpret and apply the Texas Finance Code and the Texas Constitution. Our legal research deals with credit law, contract law, consumer law, secured transactions, administrative law, constitutional law, federal preemption, and criminal law.

The legal department’s enforcement actions include license denials, license revocations, administrative penalties, and injunctions. When a respondent requests a hearing, the hearing is conducted before an administrative law judge at the State Office of Administrative Hearings.

Internship for Law Students

This internship is a volunteer position for law students and recent law-school graduates. The internship generally focuses on legal research. Interns may also attend administrative hearings and assist attorneys in preparing for hearings (e.g., preparing witnesses). The internship will include at least one project designed to produce a writing sample that the intern will find valuable when seeking future employment.

The OCCC is looking for interns year-round. We seek law students who can analyze complex issues and work in a team environment. Interested candidates should send a cover letter and résumé to Matthew Nance, General Counsel, at matthew.nance@occc.texas.gov.

Internship for Paralegal Students

This internship is a volunteer position for students enrolled in a paralegal certification or master of legal studies program. The internship focuses on work supporting the agency’s staff attorneys. Tasks assigned may include legal research, drafting, hearing preparation, filing, and some administrative work. Interns may also attend administrative hearings. The intern will work closely with staff attorneys and legal assistants. The internship is ideal for students who are interested in working in the public sector. The OCCC’s general counsel and one of the legal assistants completed paralegal internships before joining the OCCC.

The OCCC is looking for interns year-round. We seek paralegal students who can pay close attention to detail and work in a team environment. Interested candidates should send a cover letter and résumé to Ginger Harmon, Senior Paralegal, at ginger.harmon@occc.texas.gov.