Legal Intern - Summer 2025

At the State of Ohio, we take care of the team that cares for Ohioans. We provide a variety of quality, competitive benefits to eligible full-time and part-time employees*. For a list of all the State of Ohio Benefits, visit our Total Rewards website! Our benefits package includes:

• Medical Coverage


• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period


• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year


• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave


• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)


• Public Retirement Systems (such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS) & Optional Deferred Compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation)

*Benefits eligibility is dependent on a number of factors. The Agency Contact listed above will be able to provide specific benefits information for this position.

The State of Ohio is a drug-free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting.

Must be enrolled in accredited law school AND Must have completed at least 1 year of law school

*Candidates are encouraged to attach the following:

• Cover Letter


• Resume


• Transcript


• Writing Sample.

What You'll Do:

You don't have to know a lot about agriculture, you'll learn that on the job! You just have to have a willingness to learn and a desire to devote your skills to a greater purpose. This position is responsible for:

• Acts as Legal Intern for the Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) Legal Office


• Under direction of ODA counsel, conducts legal research of case & statutory law, constitutional, state &/or federal rules, opinions &/or orders on behalf of ODA divisions


• Under direction of counsel, drafts and prepares various legal documents regarding agency operations, including memoranda, notices of intended enforcement, director's orders, and responses to public records requests


• Assists ODA counsel with fulfilling public records requests including but not limited to reviewing records for relevancy/accuracy, redacting nonpublic information, auditing redacted paperwork

Performs other related duties as assigned:

• Uses Microsoft software to draft documents


• Prepares confidential correspondence


• Handles sensitive telephone calls, maintains logs, records & files


• Travels to attend meetings & training as requested by Chief Legal Counsel

What Will You Gain:

• Learn Ohio’s Sunshine Laws and review public records


• Perform legal research and draft memorandum to find solutions to legal issues arising from ODA’s divisions


• Learn fundamental skills for government attorneys such as reviewing investigative work to determine if ODA has sufficient evidence to proceed to an Administrative Hearing and drafting Notices of Opportunity for Hearing


• Observe administrative hearings and public meetings


• Gain a better understanding of ODA’s work through observing meetings with ODA’s divisions and participating in ride-alongs, when possible

**This is a full time paid summer internship. This position is in the office five days a week at 8995 E. Main St., Reynoldsburg, OH 43068. This is not a remote or hybrid position.**

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a Model Employer of Individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

If you require an accommodation for the interview process or the position, please notify the assigned recruiter.

This position is Unclassified 124.11 (A) (29), Ohio Revised Code

For Questions Regarding This Posting Please Contact:

Keary Sorgini
Keary.Sorgini@agri.ohio.gov

The final candidate selected for the position will be required to undergo a criminal background check. Criminal convictions do not necessarily preclude an applicant from consideration for a position. An individual assessment of an applicant's prior criminal convictions will be made before excluding an applicant from consideration.

Ohio is a Disability Inclusion State and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

Who We Are\: 

Agriculture is the heart of it all in Ohio!

The Ohio Department of Agriculture protects all Ohioans by safeguarding plants and animals, conserving our natural resources and supporting farmers. ODA is cabinet-level agency reporting to Governor DeWine. Food and agriculture is Ohio’s number one industry, contributing $124 billion to the economy and employing one in eight people. Ohio is home to more than 75,000 farms, with agriculture touching every part of the state. Not only does Ohio rank number one in Swiss cheese production, but we are top three in the nation’s egg production and fifth in soybean production. Ohio’s farmers impact those well beyond state lines, feeding families across the nation. 

ODA’s beautiful campus is located in Reynoldsburg on 158-acres. Not only is parking free, but food trucks frequent the campus for coffee and lunch.

You’ll find great coworkers here, who are experts in their field and care about the work they do.

What We Do:

Working for the Ohio Department of Agriculture means strengthening our state with the help of our 19 divisions programs. Our staff ensures the products you consume every day are safe to eat and drink. We protect Ohio’s farmland, improve soil health and water quality, all while keeping our plants, crops, and animals free of pests and disease. We are home to the state’s top food safety laboratory and serve as the hub for a statewide lab safety system. Our folks protect consumers by ensuring you get what you pay for through weights and measures accuracy standards. ODA oversees Ohio’s 94 county and independent fairs, the showcases of our towns and cities, and protects fair goers by inspecting the amusement rides you love to enjoy!

The Office of Chief Legal Counsel is responsible for providing legal services and counsel to all Ohio Department of Agriculture divisions and programs. As a member of team ODA, you will be working with people of the highest caliber, doing great work, and making a difference for all Ohioans.