Public Defender's Office Internship Opportunities
Summer Internship Program
About the Program
The Allegheny County Public Defender Summer Internship Program is a ten-week immersive Public Defender experience. The purpose of our program is to train and prepare our interns for a career in public defense. There are three major components to the program: courtroom representation of clients, working with a mentor attorney, and substantive criminal law instruction.
Courtroom Representation of Clients
Every intern who has met the requirements and gained certification under PA Code Title 204, Chapter 71 Rule 322/323 will have the opportunity to represent clients in the courtroom. Each intern will, under the direct supervision of a Defender Attorney, spend two days a week representing clients in either Pittsburgh Municipal Court or Phoenix Court.
In Pittsburgh Municipal Court, our interns will represent clients who are scheduled for preliminary hearings. During these proceedings, they will have the opportunity to conduct client interviews, negotiate agreements with assistant district attorneys, represent clients at bail hearings and preliminary hearings, cross examine witnesses, and make arguments before a Magisterial District Judge.
In Phoenix Court, our interns will represent Public Defender clients charged with misdemeanors in the Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County. During these proceedings, they will have the opportunity to conduct client interviews, negotiate pleas, litigate pretrial motions, and under certain circumstances, even represent clients at trial.
Mentorship Attorneys
Every intern will be assigned a mentor Defender Attorney from either our Trial Division or Major Felony Unit. Every intern will accompany their mentor attorney to court to watch and participate in the cases that mentor has scheduled. They will also work on research and writing assignments for that mentor attorney. This mentorship will provide our interns with two very important opportunities.
First, the intern will observe a variety of types of serious cases and be able to engage and participate in client centered holistic representation with their mentor attorney. This presents an opportunity to gain a very different type of perspective than will be available through Pittsburgh Municipal Court or Phoenix Court. Second, the intern will have the opportunity to research and draft a memorandum of law, motion, or brief, which can be used as a writing sample in the future. The research and writing conducted by our interns will have a direct impact on the repre
Substantive Criminal Law Instruction
One day of each week throughout the summer, every intern will engage in substantive training and education on criminal law. They will have an opportunity to learn and later hone their skills by participating in our interactive training program. This includes instruction and also participation in mock proceedings. This training program is designed to help our interns develop professionally by receiving direct and immediate feedback on their work as they progress throughout the summer.
Logistics
Our internship is unpaid, however many law schools offer grants and fellowships for internships in public interest. Applicants are encouraged to speak with their schools about how to receive funding while participating in our internship program.
Our interns frequently obtain summer housing through local universities. Although our office is unable to provide any direct assistance in obtaining housing, interns are encouraged to reach out to local universities to inquire about the availability of summer housing. Previous interns have had success obtaining summer housing at Duquesne University, Point Park University, Carlow University, University of Pittsburgh, and others. Pittsburgh is a fairly large city with plenty of housing opportunities. A quick internet search will usually provide a plethora of sublet and summer rental opportunities.
Interns will not need a vehicle while participating in our summer program. Our office is located downtown at the center of the bus line. It is easily accessible by public transportation.
Conclusion
Our internship program has developed over the past several years to become a well-rounded program providing each intern a unique and personalized Public Defender experience. Our interns will have the opportunity to gain both courtroom experience while representing clients and research and writing experience while working with senior attorney. The purpose of this internship is to provide our interns with the training and experience they need to succeed as Defender Attorneys once they start their career after law school.