Law Student - Government in La Plata, MD

Government

La Plata, MD

Law Student - Government in La Plata, MD

Law Student

No

Job Title: Fall 2025 Law Clerk

Job Responsibilities:
- Support the Legislative Affairs team in advocating for bills in the Maryland Legislature aimed at justice improvement, accountability, and reducing mass incarceration.
- Prioritize initiatives such as early release for older or health-compromised incarcerated individuals, treating youthful offenders within the juvenile system, and decriminalizing marijuana.
- Engage in efforts to enhance mental health care, uphold parental rights, reform police practices, improve forensics analysis, and reform the immigration system.
- Conduct research on relevant legislative issues and draft memoranda and testimony to support bills.
- Participate in supervised legislative advocacy, including developing public support for bills, identifying potential witnesses, and preparing their written statements and oral advocacy.
- Attend hearings in Annapolis during the Maryland General Assembly Session as opportunities arise.
- Work closely with attorneys, investigators, paralegals, social workers, and other support staff to provide comprehensive advocacy for OPD clients.
- Engage in research and writing, witness preparation, investigations, and trial preparation.

Education and Experience Information:
- Open to current law students or recent law school graduates.
- Law clerks are expected to start the clerkship by September 2, 2025, and commit to working for at least 10 weeks.
- Applicants should be enrolled in or have completed law school, as indicated by their status as 1L, 2L, or 3L students.

Salary Information:
- These positions are unpaid volunteer roles.
- OPD supports externs seeking academic credits for their work and may sponsor grant or outside funding applications where applicable.

Additional Information:
- Law clerks join the organization three times a year: summer, spring, and fall, with applications accepted on a rolling basis.
- Final placement decisions are made by individual Parental Defense offices, consistent with the candidate's preferences.
- Candidates should be specific about their desired office placement within Maryland, as only certain offices are accessible by public transportation.
- Application materials, including a resume, cover letter, professional references, writing sample, and undergraduate transcript, must be submitted via email by August 1, 2025.
- The position requires a commitment to consistent working days and hours throughout the clerkship duration.

Application Process:
- Interested candidates must complete an online application and submit required materials via email.
- Applications must include a resume, cover letter, list of four professional references, a writing sample not exceeding 15 pages, and an undergraduate transcript.
- Incomplete applications will not be considered.

This position offers a valuable introduction to the legislative process and criminal justice reform, providing hands-on experience in client-centered and team-based representation.