Job Title: Fall 2025 Law Clerk
Job Responsibilities:
Law Clerks serving with the Post Conviction Defender's Division will have several key responsibilities that are crucial in ensuring fairness in criminal convictions and maintaining the integrity of the criminal justice system. These responsibilities include:
- Conducting legal research and analysis to support the representation of indigent inmates during post-conviction proceedings.
- Carrying out investigations relevant to the cases being handled.
- Writing legal memorandums, post-conviction petitions, and motions for modification.
- Interviewing incarcerated clients both in prison and via video conference to gather necessary information and provide updates on their cases.
Law clerks are expected to be fully integrated into trial teams and work closely with attorneys, investigators, paralegals, social workers, and other support staff. This collaboration is essential to ensure that clients receive comprehensive and effective representation. The role also involves significant research and writing, witness preparation, investigations, and trial preparation.
Education and Experience Information:
This opportunity is open to current law students or recent law school graduates. Qualified applicants must demonstrate a commitment to zealous and comprehensive public defense. Additionally, applicants should possess the ability to work both independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced environment.
The position is designed to offer law students a hands-on experience in client-centered and team-based representation. This unparalleled experience allows law clerks to assist in providing comprehensive advocacy, thereby gaining practical skills and insights into the workings of the public defense system.
Application Process:
Applications for the Fall 2025 Law Clerk position must be submitted through a centralized process, with final selections being made by the Post Conviction Defender's Division. All applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and the application materials must be emailed within a couple of days of submitting the application form, but no later than August 1, 2025. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Applicants are required to submit the following documents:
- A resume
- A cover letter
- A list of four professional references
- A writing sample no longer than 15 pages
- An undergraduate transcript
This is an in-person position, and all students must start the clerkship by September 2, 2025, and commit to working for at least 10 weeks.
Salary Information:
These law clerk positions are unpaid volunteer roles. However, where applicable, the organization will support externs seeking credits for their work and sponsor grant or other outside funding applications.
Additional Information:
Law clerk opportunities are available during the spring semester (January-May), fall semester (September-December), and summer (May-August). Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, providing flexibility for students to apply at different times throughout the year.
The organization emphasizes the importance of law clerks in supporting the mission of tenacious advocacy and zealous representation of clients. Therefore, selected candidates are expected to commit to consistent workdays and hours for the duration of their clerkship.
