Internship Paralegal Student, (Fall)

Full-time

No

Job Title: Internship Paralegal Student (Fall)
Salary: Unpaid, for college juniors and seniors and graduate students
Experience: Hands-on experience working with attorneys, investigators, and staff in providing legal representation to indigent individuals

Organization: New Jersey Office of the Public Defender (NJOPD)
Location: Statewide, opportunities available year-round

Internship Opportunities:

- Hands-on experience assisting with investigations, client communication, research and writing, trial preparation and advocacy
- Excellent training and mentorship opportunities
- Available for college juniors and seniors and graduate students
- Opportunities available statewide

Responsibilities:

- Locating and interviewing witnesses
- Serving subpoenas
- Researching and gathering information and documents
- Conducting field investigation such as photographing crime scenes and examining evidence
- Drafting reports
- Attending court proceedings and training programs

Specialized Units:

- Recovery Court
- Mental Health Advocacy
- Office of Parental Representation (representing individuals whose children have been removed based on allegations of abuse and neglect)
- Office of Law Guardian (representing children who have been removed)
- Office of Mental Health Advocacy (representing individuals involuntarily committed to State psychiatric facilities)
- Special Hearings Unit (representing individuals convicted of sex offenses and facing Megan’s Law tier classification)
- Conviction Integrity Unit (representing individuals seeking post-conviction relief)

To Apply:

- Applications are considered on a rolling basis and must be received between June 15th and July 31st (Fall), between October 15th and November 30th (Spring), and between December 15th and April 15th (Summer)
- Cover letter should include: (1) reasons for seeking internship with NJOPD, (2) practice area(s) of interest, (3) geographic preference or limitations, and (4) availability (anticipated start/end date, number of hours, and schedule)
- Must be interviewed by regional office and/or Internship Coordinator
- Complete confidentiality and ethics paperwork
- Screened and approved prior to being offered internship with NJOPD

About the NJOPD:

- Provides first class legal representation to indigent individuals at both the trial and appellate levels
- Opportunities available for paralegal students
- Represents individuals charged with criminal offenses, individuals whose children have been removed based on allegations of abuse and neglect, children who have been removed, individuals involuntarily committed to State psychiatric facilities, individuals convicted of sex offenses and facing Megan’s Law tier classification, and individuals seeking post-conviction relief
- Also represents clients in Recovery Court and Intensive Supervision Program matters, and as part of Forensic Science Unit

Not applicable

Not specified

Currently enrolled in college or graduate program

to apply
cover letters should explain: (1) why you are seeking an internship with njopd; (2) practice area(s) of interest; (3) geographic preference or limitations; and (4) availability, including anticipated start/end date, number of hours, and schedule

Legal