The Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia
Spring Law Clerk
The Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia, Olympia, Washington, United States
Position Type: Externship Full- or Part-Time
Location: 633 3rd Street, NW Washington, DC 20001
About The Job
PDS Overview:
For more than 60 years, PDS has led the nation in providing exceptional advocacy and legal representation for indigent adults and children. Judges and prosecutors, as well as public defender agencies and state bar associations across the country, acknowledge and respect the outstanding work of PDS’s attorneys. PDS is recognized as one of the few defender organizations in the world to meet the standards outlined in the American Bar Association’s Ten Principles of a Public Defense Delivery System. PDS is a federally funded, independent organization governed by an 11-member board of trustees. Founded as the Legal Aid Agency in 1960, PDS was established as the successor to LAA in 1970 by a federal statute enacted to comply with the constitutional mandate to provide defense counsel for people who cannot afford an attorney. 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 as 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. Position Description:
The Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia seeks 2Ls and 3Ls to work as law clerks during the spring semester. Law clerks conduct legal research, draft documents, review discovery, work with clients and provide other support as needed. Law clerks work in one of six legal divisions. You may apply to Appeals, Civil Legal Services (general or special education), Juvenile Services, Mental Health, Special Litigation or Trial (adult, juvenile or immigration). While the majority of spring law clerks serve in supportive roles, students working in the Juvenile Services Program provide direct client representation in administrative disciplinary matters. Review the work of our legal divisions by reviewing the descriptions under the 'legal services divisions' tab on this website. With rare exceptions, all spring clerkships are in-office. Required 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 barriers, 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:
35 Compensation:
Students interested in school year clerkships must be enrolled in an externship course or
pro bono
program sponsored by a law school. How to Apply:
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 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’sapproximately 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:
For more than 60 years, PDS has led the nation in providing exceptional advocacy and legal representation for indigent adults and children. Judges and prosecutors, as well as public defender agencies and state bar associations across the country, acknowledge and respect the outstanding work of PDS’s attorneys. PDS is recognized as one of the few defender organizations in the world to meet the standards outlined in the American Bar Association’s Ten Principles of a Public Defense Delivery System. PDS is a federally funded, independent organization governed by an 11-member board of trustees. Founded as the Legal Aid Agency in 1960, PDS was established as the successor to LAA in 1970 by a federal statute enacted to comply with the constitutional mandate to provide defense counsel for people who cannot afford an attorney. 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 as 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. Position Description:
The Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia seeks 2Ls and 3Ls to work as law clerks during the spring semester. Law clerks conduct legal research, draft documents, review discovery, work with clients and provide other support as needed. Law clerks work in one of six legal divisions. You may apply to Appeals, Civil Legal Services (general or special education), Juvenile Services, Mental Health, Special Litigation or Trial (adult, juvenile or immigration). While the majority of spring law clerks serve in supportive roles, students working in the Juvenile Services Program provide direct client representation in administrative disciplinary matters. Review the work of our legal divisions by reviewing the descriptions under the 'legal services divisions' tab on this website. With rare exceptions, all spring clerkships are in-office. Required 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 barriers, 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:
35 Compensation:
Students interested in school year clerkships must be enrolled in an externship course or
pro bono
program sponsored by a law school. How to Apply:
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 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’sapproximately 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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