LRC interns come from a range of backgrounds and experiences. Like our attorneys and community advocates, they understand that our client’s lives extend beyond the courtroom and that criminal proceedings have deleterious effects on those lives. In an effort to provide community-oriented defense, our interns draw from their own experiences to work directly with our clients and attorneys to help address our client’s needs through case preparation, research, interviewing, advocacy and trial preparation. In addition to working on criminal cases, our interns will work in league with our community advocates to address the symptoms of systemic inequity that have long plagued communities of color and the impoverished communities that we serve.

Though the position is open to those with limited experience in criminal defense work, the most qualified candidates will:

• Demonstrate a commitment to working as part of a defense team that incorporates non-attorney advocates as part of a ‘client-centered practice’ and to pursue a multidisciplinary approach to criminal defense;
• Show experience working with indigent and minority populations and in identifying the various legal and non-legal needs and issues facing our diverse clientele;
• Have prior experience solving problems creatively;
• Display prior experience incorporating their own personal interests in other social justice or civil rights issues into their daily work;
• Project an honest willingness to learn from our clients and their experiences;
• Have prior experience conducting client intake interviews (or some equivalent).

Successful candidates will be expected to:

• Interview clients, family members, and/or witnesses;
• Develop investigation requests;
• Conduct some case-related investigations;
• Participate in case brainstorming sessions;
• Develop case theories;
• Review police reports and other case materials;
• Research appropriate case law;
• Research and write evidentiary motions;
• Argue evidentiary hearings in court;
• Prepare trial folders;
• Participate in trials;
• Negotiate case resolutions with prosecuting attorneys and presiding judges;
• Identify and remedy other legal and/or non-legal client needs LRC internships are competitive positions.

In order to apply, the internship candidate must send in the following application materials:

1. A current resume
2. The candidate’s most recent transcript
3. A writing sample (preferably of no longer than ten pages)
4. A cover letter which: a) explains the student’s experience working with communities of color; b) Explains the student’s desire to work with indigent clients; c) Explains the student’s desire to work in criminal defense; d) Explains why a legal career and/or experience is important to them; and e) Explains why they would be a good fit and/or what they can contribute to the LRC’s multi-disciplinary team.

We encourage those from communities of color and those with second language skills to apply. In addition, the LRC accepts LL.M. students and other types of international students as interns. If you have any questions about our program, or would like to submit an application, please contact office@legalrightscenter.org.