About the role#
The Palm Beach County Public Defender's Office seeks volunteers for a full-time legal internship during the summer of 2027. This program offers exposure to both trial and appellate work. You will work with two attorney mentors who guide your assignments and provide feedback on your legal writing.
What you'll do#
- Shadow your trial mentor at court hearings, depositions, and jail visits.
- Complete research projects assigned by supervisors and mentors.
- Draft motions for review by your appellate mentor.
- Participate in a writing workshop to improve your motion drafting.
- Attend monthly Continuing Legal Education (CLE) presentations.
- Join a weekly group check-in with senior Assistant Public Defenders to discuss your work and receive new assignments.
What you'll need#
- You must be a rising 2L or 3L student during the summer of 2027.
Location & details#
- This position is located in West Palm Beach, Florida.
- The internship runs for ten weeks between late May and early August 2027.
- This is an on-site, full-time, unpaid role.
About Palm Beach County Public Defender's Office, 15th Judicial Circuit
The Palm Beach County Public Defender's Office provides criminal defense for indigent individuals in the 15th Judicial Circuit. Founded in 1963, the agency manages more than 30,000 cases each year. Its staff includes attorneys, investigators, and social workers who operate out of a central office in West Palm Beach and four additional county branches. The office maintains specialized units for felony, mental health, youth defense, and major crimes.
How to get in at Palm Beach County Public Defender's Office, 15th Judicial Circuit
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