Job Title: Fall 2025 Law Clerk
Job Responsibilities:
The Fall 2025 Law Clerk position at the organization involves a variety of responsibilities aimed at supporting the Legislative Affairs team. Law clerks will engage in legislative advocacy and work on bills in the Maryland Legislature that focus on justice improvement, accountability, and reducing mass incarceration. Key priorities include advocating for the early release of older or ill incarcerated individuals, treating youthful offenders within the juvenile system, and decriminalizing marijuana. Additional responsibilities include efforts to enhance mental health care, protect parental rights, reform police practices, improve forensics analysis, and reform the immigration system.
Law clerks will have opportunities to conduct research on relevant issues, draft memoranda, and prepare testimony in support of legislative bills. They will also help in developing public support for these bills, identifying potential witnesses, and preparing both written statements and oral advocacy. This role offers an excellent introduction to the legislative process and criminal justice reform through active participation and reflection.
Law clerks will be fully integrated into trial teams, working closely with attorneys, investigators, paralegals, social workers, and other support staff to ensure comprehensive advocacy for clients. They will engage in significant research and writing, witness preparation, investigations, and trial preparation.
Education and Experience Information:
The position is open to current law students or recent law school graduates. Law clerks are expected to assist in client-centered and team-based representation, providing an unparalleled experience in legal advocacy.
The organization offers these opportunities during the spring semester (January-May), fall semester (September-December), and summer (May-August). Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, and law clerks join the organization three times a year: summer, spring, and fall. The application process involves a centralized submission, but final selections are made by individual Parental Defense offices based on the candidate's preferences. Candidates are encouraged to specify their preferred office placements, as the organization has offices throughout the State of Maryland.
Salary Information:
These are unpaid volunteer positions; however, the organization supports externs seeking credits for their work and sponsors grant or other outside funding applications where applicable.
Application Process:
Interested candidates are required to submit an application via email, including a resume, cover letter, list of four professional references, a writing sample no longer than 15 pages, and an undergraduate transcript. The subject line of the email should indicate "Application for Fall 2025 Law Clerk." Application materials must be submitted by August 1, 2025. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Candidates must start the clerkship by September 2, 2025, and commit to working for at least 10 weeks. Law clerks are expected to work consistent days and hours for the duration of their clerkship. The organization emphasizes the importance of tenacious advocacy and zealous representation of clients, relying on law clerks and interns to support this mission.
