About the role#
The Defender Association of Philadelphia offers a summer internship for law students who have completed their first year of school. This program runs from the end of May through the end of July. It provides exposure to the practical applications of criminal defense work. The internship is unpaid, and we ask selected students to seek outside funding. We are an approved work study site.
What you'll do#
- Complete one week of intensive in-house training covering law, procedure, and office practice.
- Represent clients in preliminary arraignment, miscellaneous criminal motions, pre-trial probation, and juvenile courts.
- Conduct client contact through phone calls, in-office meetings, and prison interviews.
- Analyze client legal problems to assist in their defense.
- Review forensic data such as video, voice, and body-camera footage.
- Draft legal memoranda to assess the weight of evidence.
- Participate in a legal research and writing program.
- Work within the civil and criminal mental health unit.
What you'll need#
- Completion of your first year of law school.
- A strong interest in indigent criminal defense litigation.
Location & details#
- This is an on-site, full-time position located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
- The term for this internship is Summer 2027.
About Defender Association of Philadelphia
The Defender Association of Philadelphia is a nonprofit law firm that provides legal representation to adults and juveniles. Founded in 1934, the organization operates out of Philadelphia and employs 579 staff members. Its teams include attorneys, social workers, investigators, and paralegals who manage criminal, delinquency, and neglect cases. The firm focuses on connecting clients with social services and advocating for fair outcomes within the justice system.
How to get in at Defender Association of Philadelphia
Securing an internship at the Defender Association of Philadelphia requires staying ahead of the application volume. Because this firm manages high-stakes criminal and delinquency cases, they prioritize candidates who demonstrate a clear commitment to public defense. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published anywhere, so you apply among the first, as early applicants get seen before the pile grows. You should aim to be in that first wave of interest. Beyond the initial application, you can improve your odds by connecting with the right people. Intern Insider surfaces the recruiters behind the company's roles so you can reach out directly to ask about the role or a referral, which materially improves response rates. A brief, professional inquiry to a recruiter can help you stand out in a competitive field.
