The Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia
Summer Law Clerk
The Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia, Washington, District of Columbia, us, 20022
Location: 633 3rd Street, NW Washington, District of Columbia 20001
About The Job
PDS Overview:
A major portion of the work of PDS consists of representing individuals in the District of Columbia’s local criminal legal system who are charged with committing serious criminal acts and who are eligible for court-appointed counsel. In the District of Columbia, public defense services are provided primarily by PDS (the “institutional defender”) and a panel of private attorneys, known ad Criminal Justice Act (CJA) attorneys, who are screened for membership on the panel and paid on a case-by-case basis by the D.C. courts. Because of its resources, well-regarded training program, and institutional practice knowledge, PDS lawyers handle the most serous criminal cases consistent with the best practices of the legal profession.
PDS is accepting applications from second-year law students for the 2026 summer program. The clerkship program dates are Tuesday, May 26 - Friday, July 31, 2026. On a case-by-case basis, PDS offers a limited number of split summer opportunities. If applying for the split program, address your reason(s) for splitting as well as the name of or type of organization where you plan to work.
Unpaid positions are available in all of our legal divisions. Applicants interested in the Trial Division may choose either the Law Clerk or Legal Research & Writing Clerk position. Law Clerks are assigned to work with one or two trial attorneys for the duration of the program. Legal Research and Writing Clerks serve as ‘floaters’, supporting any trial attorney preparing for or engaged in trials. Applicants interested in other divisions should review the division descriptions on our website to understand the specialized work of each group.
Consolidate your application materials as a single PDF and upload the document where indicated. Your application should include: (1) a cover letter explaining why you wish to work at the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia, (2) a legal resume, (3) a list of three references with contact information and an explanation of how they can speak to your candidacy, and (4)an unofficial transcript or typed grade list.
If you have any questions about the application process or the summer program, contact us at lawclerkprogram@pdsdc.org Division Overview:
Please review the divisions and their work by reviewing the descriptions under the 'legal services divisions' tab on the PDS website homepage. Position Description:
Law clerks work in one of nine legal practices. You may apply to Appeals, Civil Legal Services - General, Civil Legal Services - Special Education, Juvenile Services, Prisoner Reentry Legal Services, Mental Health, Parole, Special Litigation or Trial. Trial applicants may apply to work with adults or with juveniles. While the majority of summer law clerks serve in supportive roles, the students working in Juvenile Services, Prisoner Reentry Legal Services and Parole provide direct representation. Major Duties:
Law clerk duties vary depending on the assigned division. Required Qualifications:
Second-year law students. The first-year law student application will open on December 15, 2025. Preferred Qualifications:
Experience interning at public defender or criminal defense-adjacent, civil legal services or other public interest organizations. Participation in law school clinics or experience advocating on behalf of low-income clients in any context. Students with customer service, teaching, counseling and other backgrounds who developed relevant or transferable skills that can support the work of PDS are encouraged to apply. If, because of financial constraints or other issues, you have been unable to participate in the type of work that would demonstrate your commitment to our mission, please address that in your cover letter. Number of vacancies:
65 Compensation:
Uncompensated How to Apply:
Applicants must submit: (1) a cover letter; (2) a resume; (3) a list of three references (name, e-mail address, telephone number, and a brief statement of how each reference is able to evaluate your skills), (4) an unofficial law school transcript or typed grade list, and (5) a legal writing sample no more than 12 pages. All materials must be submitted online as a single consolidated PDF through the 'apply now' button below. PDS accepts a limited number of split summer clerks who would otherwise be unable to volunteer their time. If you would like to be considered for the split summer program please note that in your cover letter and choose that option in the 'position' dropdown on the application.
For questions about the hiring process, requirements or assistance with applying, please contact: Jennifer Thomas, Director of Legal Recruiting at (202) 480-0385 or jenthomas@pdsdc.org.
The Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia (PDS) is a federally funded, independent organization; governed by an eleven-member Board of Trustees, PDS provides legal representation to individuals facing a loss of freedom in the local criminal,delinquency, and mental health systems in the District of Columbia. PDS’s approximately 275 attorneys, social workers, investigative specialists, administrative, and technical staff collaborate with each other to advance the PDS mission. PDS’smain office is located at 633 3rd Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001. District of Columbia residency is not a requirement for employment. PDS is funded by federal appropriations, and all employees are entitled to participate in the federal health andlife insurance plans, the federal retirement plans (FERS, FERS-RAE, FERS-FRAE, CSRS, CSRS-Offset), and the Thrift Savings Plan. Transferring employees will receive recognition of creditable federal service for leave accrual and retirement purposes.Employment at PDS is neither federal nor District of Columbia government employment, and all employees are at-will. PDS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and E-Verify Participant.
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PDS Overview:
A major portion of the work of PDS consists of representing individuals in the District of Columbia’s local criminal legal system who are charged with committing serious criminal acts and who are eligible for court-appointed counsel. In the District of Columbia, public defense services are provided primarily by PDS (the “institutional defender”) and a panel of private attorneys, known ad Criminal Justice Act (CJA) attorneys, who are screened for membership on the panel and paid on a case-by-case basis by the D.C. courts. Because of its resources, well-regarded training program, and institutional practice knowledge, PDS lawyers handle the most serous criminal cases consistent with the best practices of the legal profession.
PDS is accepting applications from second-year law students for the 2026 summer program. The clerkship program dates are Tuesday, May 26 - Friday, July 31, 2026. On a case-by-case basis, PDS offers a limited number of split summer opportunities. If applying for the split program, address your reason(s) for splitting as well as the name of or type of organization where you plan to work.
Unpaid positions are available in all of our legal divisions. Applicants interested in the Trial Division may choose either the Law Clerk or Legal Research & Writing Clerk position. Law Clerks are assigned to work with one or two trial attorneys for the duration of the program. Legal Research and Writing Clerks serve as ‘floaters’, supporting any trial attorney preparing for or engaged in trials. Applicants interested in other divisions should review the division descriptions on our website to understand the specialized work of each group.
Consolidate your application materials as a single PDF and upload the document where indicated. Your application should include: (1) a cover letter explaining why you wish to work at the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia, (2) a legal resume, (3) a list of three references with contact information and an explanation of how they can speak to your candidacy, and (4)an unofficial transcript or typed grade list.
If you have any questions about the application process or the summer program, contact us at lawclerkprogram@pdsdc.org Division Overview:
Please review the divisions and their work by reviewing the descriptions under the 'legal services divisions' tab on the PDS website homepage. Position Description:
Law clerks work in one of nine legal practices. You may apply to Appeals, Civil Legal Services - General, Civil Legal Services - Special Education, Juvenile Services, Prisoner Reentry Legal Services, Mental Health, Parole, Special Litigation or Trial. Trial applicants may apply to work with adults or with juveniles. While the majority of summer law clerks serve in supportive roles, the students working in Juvenile Services, Prisoner Reentry Legal Services and Parole provide direct representation. Major Duties:
Law clerk duties vary depending on the assigned division. Required Qualifications:
Second-year law students. The first-year law student application will open on December 15, 2025. Preferred Qualifications:
Experience interning at public defender or criminal defense-adjacent, civil legal services or other public interest organizations. Participation in law school clinics or experience advocating on behalf of low-income clients in any context. Students with customer service, teaching, counseling and other backgrounds who developed relevant or transferable skills that can support the work of PDS are encouraged to apply. If, because of financial constraints or other issues, you have been unable to participate in the type of work that would demonstrate your commitment to our mission, please address that in your cover letter. Number of vacancies:
65 Compensation:
Uncompensated How to Apply:
Applicants must submit: (1) a cover letter; (2) a resume; (3) a list of three references (name, e-mail address, telephone number, and a brief statement of how each reference is able to evaluate your skills), (4) an unofficial law school transcript or typed grade list, and (5) a legal writing sample no more than 12 pages. All materials must be submitted online as a single consolidated PDF through the 'apply now' button below. PDS accepts a limited number of split summer clerks who would otherwise be unable to volunteer their time. If you would like to be considered for the split summer program please note that in your cover letter and choose that option in the 'position' dropdown on the application.
For questions about the hiring process, requirements or assistance with applying, please contact: Jennifer Thomas, Director of Legal Recruiting at (202) 480-0385 or jenthomas@pdsdc.org.
The Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia (PDS) is a federally funded, independent organization; governed by an eleven-member Board of Trustees, PDS provides legal representation to individuals facing a loss of freedom in the local criminal,delinquency, and mental health systems in the District of Columbia. PDS’s approximately 275 attorneys, social workers, investigative specialists, administrative, and technical staff collaborate with each other to advance the PDS mission. PDS’smain office is located at 633 3rd Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001. District of Columbia residency is not a requirement for employment. PDS is funded by federal appropriations, and all employees are entitled to participate in the federal health andlife insurance plans, the federal retirement plans (FERS, FERS-RAE, FERS-FRAE, CSRS, CSRS-Offset), and the Thrift Savings Plan. Transferring employees will receive recognition of creditable federal service for leave accrual and retirement purposes.Employment at PDS is neither federal nor District of Columbia government employment, and all employees are at-will. PDS is an Equal Opportunity Employer and E-Verify Participant.
#J-18808-Ljbffr