Description:
Deadline is 3:00 PM EST for Date ListedDec 01, 2026
Job Description:
The Legal Aid Society, the nation's oldest and largest social justice legal services organization, has Summer 2027 Legal Internships for the Criminal Defense Practice (CDP) throughout the city. The Criminal Defense Practice is the primary public defender in New York City, providing holistic, client-centered representation to over 200,000 people facing misdemeanor, felony, and homicide charges.
Most internships are in CDP trial offices, but candidates can also choose among the special practice offices, including the listed below.
- Criminal Appeals Bureau (CAB)
- Digital Forensics Unit
- DNA Unit
- Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act (DVSJA)
- Exploitation Intervention Project
- Homicide Defense Task Force
- Parole Revocation Defense Unit
- Trial Office: Bronx
- Trial Office: Brooklyn
- Trial Office: Manhattan
- Trial Office: Queens
- Trial Office: Staten Island
- Wrongful Conviction Unit
Internship Duration and Work Schedule:
This internship requires a full-time commitment for 8-10 consecutive weeks and is conducted fully in person. Candidates must be able to work on-site at their assigned Legal Aid Society office location. Remote or hybrid schedules are not available for this program.
Essential Duties/Responsibilities:
We are seeking dynamic, passionate, and creative legal interns committed to our mission. Interns will work directly with supervising attorneys. Duties may include: drafting motions, conducting legal research, assisting with investigations, assisting with client interviews, reviewing and organizing discovery, and other duties as assigned.
- Current law school student in good standing – only 2Ls
- Relevant clinical program or work experience is preferred, but not required
- Demonstrated commitment or interest to indigent defense
- Demonstrated commitment and interest in serving racially and socioeconomically oppressed communities
- Ability to work collegially and collaboratively with all members of the staff
- Ability to manage multiple tasks, deadlines, and think critically
Salary Transparency
As an Intern Position, This Role Has No Salary.
Stipends:
Interns Who Meet the Eligibility Criteria Have an Opportunity to Receive a $1,000 Stipend from The Howard Rossbach Fund. the Stipend Was Established in Memory of Judge J. Howard Rossbach, Attorney-In-Chief of The Legal Aid Society (1950-1952, 1953-1955), Whose Mentorship Encouraged Young Lawyers' Dedication to Civic Engagement Through Legal Aid. the J. Howard Rossbach Internship Stipend, Awarded Through a Lottery System, Aims to Support 4-5 Interns Annually Who Demonstrate Financial Need and Lack Funding for Their Internship at The Legal Aid Society. to Be Considered for This Stipend, Interns Must:
- Applicants Must Be Enrolled as A Law Student at Any Accredited Institution
- Ultimately Be Accepted to Participate in An Internship Program at Las
- Demonstrate Financial Need
- Lack Funding for Their Internship
Please Refer to The Deadline Listed on The Internship Description You Wish to Apply To.
Stipend Application:
To Be Considered for The J. Howard Rossbach Internship Stipend, Simultaneously Fill out The J. Howard Rossbach Internship Stipend Form During the Submission of Your Internship Application. only One Application per Applicant per Year Is Permitted. Please Do Not Submit Multiple Forms Even if You Are Applying for Multiple Internships. Selected Interns Will Be Notified Prior to The Start of Their Internships. the Stipend Will Be Treated as Taxable Income.
For Additional Information or Inquiries About the Internship Stipend, Please Reach out To Talent Acquisition@legal-Aid.Org.
How to Apply
All Applications Must Be Completed Online. We Do Not Accept Paper Submissions. Please Visit Our Careers Page to Review All Current Job Postings, and Instructions on The Application Process.
Please Submit These Documents as A Combined Pdf when You Apply.
- Resume
- Cover Letter
