Internships / Volunteer Opportunities

The Office of the Public Defender offers hand-on experience in a professional law office dedicated to providing service to indigent clients. The Office offers several opportunities for both legal and investigative internships and volunteer assignments.

Non-Certified Legal Interns

Open to second and third year law students, this program provides supervised experience in meeting clients, doing legal research, writing memos and motions, as well as assisting attorneys in the courtroom. Typically available to law students who do not yet meet the requirements to serve as Certified Legal Interns.

First year law students typically are placed in the Investigations Unit to gain experience in conducting client and witness interviews.

Paralegal Interns

Open to paralegal students, this program provides experience in researching legal issues and providing support services to attorneys. This program is not designed to teach research methods, but is designed to enhance the skills of a final semester paralegal student. Working knowledge of Lexis Nexis is required.

Investigative Interns/Volunteers

Open to criminal justice students and first year law students, this program provides experience in legal investigative techniques, including witness interviewing.

The Office of the Public Defender accepts applications for interns and volunteers on an ongoing basis. Interns and volunteers are placed into the program based on availability of positions. All interns and volunteers must successfully pass a background screening prior to placement.

To request an internship or volunteer position, please submit a cover-letter and resume describing the volunteer position you are seeking to Volunteers@pd4.coj.net.

If preferred, hard copy documents may be submitted to:
Office of the Public Defender
407 N. Laura St.
Jacksonville, FL 32202
Attn: Volunteer Department