Public Defender Internships
Public defender internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on casework experience, mentorship from working public defenders, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings are concentrated across {{top_industries_phrase}}, with Berks County PA, State of Florida, and Committee for Public Counsel Services among the employers posting roles now.
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Requisition No: 884372
Agency: Justice Administrative Commission
Working Title: PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, 20TH CIRCUIT- LEGAL INTERNSHIP - 21620016
Pay Plan: Temp
Position Number: 21620016
Salary: $18/hour
Posting Closing Date: 12/30/2026
Total Compensation Estimator Tool
Are you looking for a rewarding role within an organization where you can gain hands-on experience through attorney collaboration? The Law Offices of the Public Defender, 20th Judicial Circuit, may be the place for you! The agency is seeking qualified applicants for internship positions.
Compensated positions are limited and early applicants, Certified Legal Interns and 3L candidates will be given priority. All other candidates may seek school credit and/or other funding.
To learn more about the Law Offices of the Public Defender, 20th Judicial Circuit, visit: https://www.linkedin.com/company/office-of-the-public-defender-20th-judicial-circuit/ or www.pd20.org.
To learn more about benefits offered to eligible employees, visit: https://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com/.
The agency strongly encourages applicants to attach a resume, cover letter and writing sample.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The work performed by the Legal Intern is work of considerable variety and complexity in the Public Defender’s office. Work is performed under the general direction of an Assistant Public Defender and is reviewed for results obtained.
ABILITIES
To effectively perform the duties of a Human Resources Assistant, individuals must be able to demonstrate varying competencies that are essential to the position, which include:
- Must be able to communicate clearly and professionally, both written and orally.
- Must possess strong interpersonal skills.
- Must be detail-oriented, able to effectively read and interpret information, present numerical data in a resourceful manner, and skillfully gather and analyze information.
- Must be able to prioritize and plan work activities as to use time efficiently.
- Must be organized, accurate, thorough, and able to monitor work for quality.
- Must be dependable, able to follow instructions, respond to management direction, and must be able to improve performance through management feedback.
- Must be flexible in work assignments and processes based upon need/priority.
- Must be able to utilize Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook effectively.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university in a criminal justice related field and current enrollment in law school required.
CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
A valid Florida driver’s license is required.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, technical procedures, legal documents and governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence and transcripts.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals.
REASONING ABILITY
Must be able to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. Must be able to evaluate problems, isolate key issues, research and develop alternative solutions.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The noise level for this position is moderate.
EQUIPMENT UTILIZED
Personal computers, printers, copiers, scanners, telephones, calculators, phones
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to be mobile, speak, and hear. The employee is frequently required to sit and reach with hands and arms. The employee may be required to stand. The employee must occasionally life and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. All duties and responsibilities are essential job functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills and abilities. Employees of the Office of the Public Defender are at-will employees. This document does not create employment contract, implied or otherwise, and may be revised or rescinded at any time, due to operational necessity, at the sole discretion of the Public Defender.
Job Type: Part Time
This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employee(s) will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.
This position description has excluded the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to the performance of essential job duties. All duties and responsibilities are essential job functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills and abilities. Employees of the Office of the Public Defender are at-will employees. This document does not create employment contract, implied or otherwise, and may be revised or rescinded at any time, due to operational necessity, at the sole discretion of the Public Defender.
The Law Offices of the Public Defender, 20th Judicial Circuit, is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS at 1-844-377-1888 on how your current benefits may be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended, or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.
Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.
The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.
Nearest Major Market: Fort Myers
Nearest Secondary Market: Cape Coral
Requisition No: 884372
Agency: Justice Administrative Commission
Working Title: PUBLIC DEFENDER'S OFFICE, 20TH CIRCUIT- LEGAL INTERNSHIP - 21620016
Pay Plan: Temp
Position Number: 21620016
Salary: $18/hour
Posting Closing Date: 12/30/2026
Total Compensation Estimator Tool
Are you looking for a rewarding role within an organization where you can gain hands-on experience through attorney collaboration? The Law Offices of the Public Defender, 20th Judicial Circuit, may be the place for you! The agency is seeking qualified applicants for internship positions.
Compensated positions are limited and early applicants, Certified Legal Interns and 3L candidates will be given priority. All other candidates may seek school credit and/or other funding.
To learn more about the Law Offices of the Public Defender, 20th Judicial Circuit, visit: https://www.linkedin.com/company/office-of-the-public-defender-20th-judicial-circuit/ or www.pd20.org.
To learn more about benefits offered to eligible employees, visit: https://www.mybenefits.myflorida.com/.
The agency strongly encourages applicants to attach a resume, cover letter and writing sample.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The work performed by the Legal Intern is work of considerable variety and complexity in the Public Defender’s office. Work is performed under the general direction of an Assistant Public Defender and is reviewed for results obtained.
ABILITIES
To effectively perform the duties of a Human Resources Assistant, individuals must be able to demonstrate varying competencies that are essential to the position, which include:
- Must be able to communicate clearly and professionally, both written and orally.
- Must possess strong interpersonal skills.
- Must be detail-oriented, able to effectively read and interpret information, present numerical data in a resourceful manner, and skillfully gather and analyze information.
- Must be able to prioritize and plan work activities as to use time efficiently.
- Must be organized, accurate, thorough, and able to monitor work for quality.
- Must be dependable, able to follow instructions, respond to management direction, and must be able to improve performance through management feedback.
- Must be flexible in work assignments and processes based upon need/priority.
- Must be able to utilize Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook effectively.
EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE
Graduation from an accredited four-year college or university in a criminal justice related field and current enrollment in law school required.
CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS
A valid Florida driver’s license is required.
LANGUAGE SKILLS
Ability to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, technical procedures, legal documents and governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence and transcripts.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS
Ability to add, subtract, multiply and divide in all units of measure, using whole numbers, common fractions and decimals.
REASONING ABILITY
Must be able to apply common sense understanding to carry out instructions in written, oral, or diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several concrete variables in standardized situations. Must be able to evaluate problems, isolate key issues, research and develop alternative solutions.
WORK ENVIRONMENT
The noise level for this position is moderate.
EQUIPMENT UTILIZED
Personal computers, printers, copiers, scanners, telephones, calculators, phones
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to be mobile, speak, and hear. The employee is frequently required to sit and reach with hands and arms. The employee may be required to stand. The employee must occasionally life and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, and ability to adjust focus.
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. All duties and responsibilities are essential job functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills and abilities. Employees of the Office of the Public Defender are at-will employees. This document does not create employment contract, implied or otherwise, and may be revised or rescinded at any time, due to operational necessity, at the sole discretion of the Public Defender.
Job Type: Part Time
This position description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employee(s) will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.
This position description has excluded the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to the performance of essential job duties. All duties and responsibilities are essential job functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the employee will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills and abilities. Employees of the Office of the Public Defender are at-will employees. This document does not create employment contract, implied or otherwise, and may be revised or rescinded at any time, due to operational necessity, at the sole discretion of the Public Defender.
The Law Offices of the Public Defender, 20th Judicial Circuit, is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS at 1-844-377-1888 on how your current benefits may be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended, or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.
Candidates requiring a reasonable accommodation, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act, must notify the agency hiring authority and/or People First Service Center (1-866-663-4735). Notification to the hiring authority must be made in advance to allow sufficient time to provide the accommodation.
The State of Florida supports a Drug-Free workplace. All employees are subject to reasonable suspicion drug testing in accordance with Section 112.0455, F.S., Drug-Free Workplace Act.
Nearest Major Market: Fort Myers
Nearest Secondary Market: Cape Coral
Public Defender Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Tips for Your Public Defender Internship Search
Apply earlier than the posting cycle suggests
Large public defender offices and law school pipeline programs recruit summer interns the preceding fall, often closing applications before winter break. Smaller county offices and co-op roles post closer to their start dates. Map out both cycles at the start of each semester so deadlines don't catch you mid-exam period.
Build legal proof before your first application
Public defender intern reviewers have little work history to evaluate, so your writing samples do the work your resume can't. Draft a motion, brief, or legal memorandum during coursework and keep a clean, shareable version ready. Name the statutes, case law databases, and research tools you used so reviewers can gauge your preparation.
Work your campus network and apply directly at the same time
Campus career fairs surface structured public defender programs with university partnerships you won't find through general searches, and your criminal law professors often know which offices recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Apply directly to offices running smaller cohorts alongside campus activity so you're not limited to only the employers recruiting on campus.
Practice your interview format out loud before you apply
Public defender intern interviews typically include a hypothetical fact pattern or scenario question that tests how you reason through a case, not just what you know. Practice answering aloud, walking through your legal analysis step by step, because interviewers weigh how you think as much as your conclusion. Record yourself once to catch gaps in your reasoning.
Public Defender Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a public defender internship?
Lead with coursework and legal projects rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. For public defender candidates, the concrete artifact is a writing sample, such as a drafted motion, legal memorandum, or case brief, that gives reviewers something to assess directly. Pair direct applications with campus career fairs, where public defender recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can a public defender internship turn into a full-time job?
Many public defender offices extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What drives it most is consistent performance on real casework, the office's headcount situation at the end of your term, and how early you signal interest in returning. Treat the internship as an audition, not a guaranteed pipeline, and ask about return-offer timing midway through rather than at the end.
When should I apply for public defender internships?
Earlier than most expect. Large public defender offices and structured law school programs recruit summer interns the preceding fall, often with deadlines in October or November. Smaller county offices and co-op positions post much closer to their start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking listings consistently across the cycle means you won't miss either type.
Are public defender internships paid?
Most professional public defender internships in the United States are paid, though compensation varies by office size, funding source, and location. Some county and nonprofit public defender offices rely on grant funding that affects pay levels. Listings show compensation where the employer discloses it, so you can compare what each role offers before applying.
What should a public defender internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three documented legal projects, naming the research tools and databases used and linking to any publicly available writing samples, such as drafted motions, briefs, or memos. Add relevant coursework in criminal law, evidence, and procedure. Keep the whole document to one page, since intern reviewers scan quickly and brevity signals focus.
What is a law school clinical internship for public defenders?
Many law schools run clinical programs that place students directly inside public defender offices under faculty supervision, giving students the chance to handle real cases with court appearances. These clinics recruit early, spots are competitive, and they carry academic credit alongside practical experience. If your school offers a criminal defense clinic, apply in the first enrollment wave, since placements at public defender offices fill before the semester begins.
Can international students get public defender internships?
Yes. F-1 students can intern through CPT while enrolled or through OPT work authorization after finishing a degree, and the employer does not have to file anything for either, so many companies are open to international interns. Confirm your eligibility and timing with your university's international student office before accepting an offer.
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