Law Student - Public Interest in East Elmhurst, NY

Public Interest

East Elmhurst, NY

Law Student - Public Interest in East Elmhurst, NY

Law Student

No

Job Title: Criminal Defense Practice Legal Intern - Fall 2025

Job Responsibilities:
The Criminal Defense Practice Legal Intern will work under the supervision of attorneys within the Criminal Defense Practice at the organization. They will be tasked with a range of responsibilities that will provide them with a comprehensive understanding of criminal defense work. The essential duties include:

- Drafting motions, which involves preparing legal documents that are submitted to the court.
- Conducting legal research to support ongoing cases and contribute to the development of defense strategies.
- Assisting with investigations, which may involve gathering evidence or interviewing witnesses.
- Assisting with client interviews, providing an opportunity to understand client needs and circumstances.
- Reviewing and organizing discovery, which includes managing evidence and documents pertinent to the cases.
- Performing other duties as assigned, which may vary based on the needs of the supervising attorneys and the cases being handled.

Education and Experience Information:
Candidates for the Criminal Defense Practice Legal Intern position must meet the following educational and experience requirements:

- Be a current 2L law school student in good standing.
- While relevant clinical program or work experience is preferred, it is not mandatory.
- Demonstrate a commitment or interest in indigent defense, which refers to providing legal representation to individuals who cannot afford an attorney.
- Show a demonstrated commitment and interest in serving racially and socioeconomically oppressed communities.
- Possess the ability to work collegially and collaboratively with all members of the staff, which is essential for the team-oriented environment of the organization.
- Have the ability to manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines, and think critically, all of which are crucial skills for a legal intern in a high-paced environment.

Salary Information:
As this is an intern position, there is no salary associated with the role. However, there is an opportunity for interns who meet eligibility criteria to receive a $1,000 stipend from the Howard Rossbach fund. This stipend is awarded through a lottery system to support 4-5 interns annually who demonstrate financial need and lack funding for their internship at the organization. To be considered for this stipend, interns must:

- Be enrolled as a degree-seeking undergraduate or graduate student at any accredited institution.
- Complete the Howard Rossbach Internship Stipend Form at the time of submitting their internship application.
- Be accepted to participate in an internship program at the organization.
- Demonstrate financial need and lack funding for their internship.
- Submit a statement reflecting their strong interest in working at the organization upon graduation.

Application Process:
Candidates interested in applying for the Criminal Defense Practice Legal Intern position must complete their applications online. The organization does not accept paper submissions. Applicants are encouraged to visit the Careers Page on the organization's website to review all current job postings and instructions on the application process. For technical difficulties or questions regarding the posting, candidates can email ****.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:
The organization is dedicated to fostering a work culture that emphasizes zealous advocacy, respect, diversity, and inclusion. They are committed to providing client-oriented defense, access to justice, and excellent representation. The organization values building strong professional relationships with clients, understanding their diverse circumstances, and meeting their needs.

As an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer, the organization prohibits discriminatory employment actions against and treatment of its employees and applicants for employment based on a wide range of characteristics protected by law, including race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender identity, disability, and many others.

Required Documents:
Applicants must submit the following documents as a combined PDF when applying via the organization's Recruitment Portal:

- Resume
- Cover Letter

Note: The internship may be subject to revisions or updates, particularly if it transitions to a remote format during the Fall semester. Interns will continue to work under the supervision of Criminal Practice attorneys and will have access to remote intern trainings, webinars, and CLEs relevant to their internship.