Legal and Compliance Intern (Fall 2026)

Location: TRS Headquarters Building 1, 4655 Mueller Boulevard, Austin, Texas, 78723, United States. This is a part-time (19 hours), limited-term assignment that requires reporting to the Austin offices at least two days per week. The position is expected to start in the Fall semester of 2026, with the possibility of continuing into the spring semester.

About the role

This is a paid, part-time, limited-term internship offering hands-on experience and training/mentoring from experienced professionals in Legal & Compliance. The Legal Intern supports agency operations across various groups within Legal & Compliance, assisting with open records requests, research, data analysis, departmental support, and special projects.

Pay

Hourly wage dependent on education level:

• Undergraduate (Junior or Senior): $19.50/hour
• Graduate Student: $21.00/hour
• Law Student: $28.00/hour

Responsibilities

Legal and Compliance

• Assist with responses to open records requests, review and analysis of legal orders, administrative appeals, and other litigation involving the TRS pension plan.
• Support responses to member requests for information and third-party subpoenas/discovery requests, including research, document preparation (organizing, scanning, redacting), and file maintenance.
• Research and analyze issues related to benefit programs, contracts, procurement, investment agreements, ethics, compliance, health law, data privacy, intellectual property, employment, immigration, and other matters relevant to a public retirement system.
• Draft documents, memoranda, and correspondence.
• Assist with implementation of legislation passed by the Texas Legislature, rules adopted by the TRS board of trustees, and compliance with federal laws affecting benefit programs and investments.
• Support annual ethics compliance, including tracking submissions, reviewing statements for completeness, and drafting related correspondence.
• Collaborate on records management and litigation tracking efforts, including file maintenance, organizing records for purging, evaluating statistical data, and producing narrative reports.

General Functions

• Assist the legal operations team with researching, compiling, and analyzing data; entering data into spreadsheets/databases; organizing litigation and administrative appeal files; and preparing complex queries and reports.
• Review forms, correspondence, reports, and other documents for completeness and acceptability.
• Analyze agency policies, procedures, and forms, and recommend changes to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Complete special projects and perform other assigned tasks.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in an accredited law school, actively pursuing a Juris Doctor (J.D.); OR
• Currently enrolled in and actively attending an accredited college or university as an undergraduate student within 12 months of graduation; OR
• Currently enrolled in and actively attending a paralegal program, pursuing paralegal certification.
• Applicants must submit a copy of official college transcripts.

Preferred Qualifications

• Letter(s) of recommendation from program professor(s).
• Experience using Microsoft Office software.

Skills

• General office practices and procedures.
• Organizing and prioritizing work to manage a high-volume workload in a fast-paced environment while meeting deadlines.
• Conducting data searches, evaluating large amounts of information, performing complex analysis, and preparing concise, accurate reports and recommendations.
• Verbal and written communication of complex information accurately, timely, and based on sound judgment.
• Providing quality customer service.
• Reviewing documentation, applying complex laws/regulations/rules/policies, and making sound decisions.
• Using a personal computer in a Windows and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel) environment, including accurate data entry.
• Establishing and maintaining harmonious working relationships with co-workers, agency staff, and external contacts.
• Working effectively in a professional team environment.

Veterans, Reservists, or Guardsmen with relevant Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) experience are encouraged to apply. Contact Talent Acquisition at careers@trs.texas.gov for more information.