Job Title: Fall 2025 Law Clerk
Job Responsibilities:
The **Members Only** (OPD) offers a comprehensive opportunity for law students to gain hands-on experience in the field of criminal defense. As a law clerk at OPD, students will be integrated into trial teams and collaborate closely with attorneys, investigators, paralegals, social workers, and other support staff. The primary responsibilities include:
- Conducting legal research and writing motions and memoranda
- Assisting with case planning and investigation
- Coordinating witnesses and preparing for trials, hearings, and/or sentencings
- Engaging in significant research and writing tasks
- Participating in witness preparation, investigations, and trial preparation
Education and Experience Information:
The position is designed for current law students or recent law school graduates. Law clerks are expected to be engaged in legal studies and seeking practical experience in a real-world legal environment. The role is open to students at various stages of their law school education, including 1L, 2L, and 3L students.
Salary Information:
These positions are unpaid volunteer opportunities. However, OPD supports externs seeking academic credits for their work and may sponsor grant or other external funding applications where applicable.
Application Process:
Applications for the law clerk position are accepted on a rolling basis for three terms: spring, summer, and fall. Candidates must submit their applications through a centralized process, indicating their preferred district offices for placement. Final selection and placement decisions are made by the district offices, taking into account the candidates' preferences. Applications must include a resume, cover letter, list of four professional references, a writing sample (no longer than 15 pages), and an undergraduate transcript. The deadline for submitting these materials is August 1, 2025, and the position requires a commitment to start by September 2, 2025, for a minimum of 10 weeks.
Additional Information:
- The position requires in-person attendance.
- Applicants should be prepared to commit to consistent days and hours throughout the duration of their clerkship.
- Only the Montgomery County and Baltimore City offices are accessible via public transportation.
- Law clerks at OPD play a crucial role in supporting the organization's mission of tenacious advocacy and zealous representation of clients.
This opportunity is ideal for law students seeking to gain practical experience in criminal defense and work in a collaborative, client-centered environment.
