Criminal Defense Practice Legal Intern, 2L – Summer 2027

The Legal Aid Society•New York, NY

About The Position

The Legal Aid Society, the nation's oldest and largest social justice legal services organization, has Summer 2027 Legal Internships for the Criminal Defense Practice (CDP) throughout the city. The Criminal Defense Practice is the primary public defender in New York City, providing holistic, client-centered representation to over 200,000 people facing misdemeanor, felony, and homicide charges. Most internships are in CDP trial offices, but candidates can also choose among the special practice offices, including the Criminal Appeals Bureau (CAB) and the Criminal Appeals Bureau “Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act (DVSJA/CAB). CAB assists indigent defendant-appellants challenging their convictions on direct appeal, as well as providing a variety of other post-conviction services. Appellate Interns are primarily responsible for drafting sentence reduction briefs following felony guilty pleas, as well as briefs challenging appeal waivers, SORA (sex offender registration act) risk level determinations and/or briefs challenging the sufficiency of misdemeanor accusatory instruments. There will also be opportunities to observe appellate arguments and trial court SORA hearings, and engage in other aspects of the office’s practice. The recently enacted Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act (“DVSJA”), Criminal Procedure Law § 440.47, enables survivors of domestic violence who meet certain criteria to apply for a reduction in their prison sentences. Working with CAB supervisors, staff attorneys, mitigation specialists, and paralegals, the DVSJA 2L Intern will support CAB’s DVSJA work to investigate, file, and litigate resentencing motions.

Requirements

Current law school student in good standing – only 2Ls
Demonstrated commitment or interest to indigent defense
Demonstrated commitment and interest in serving racially and socioeconomically oppressed communities
Ability to work collegially and collaboratively with all members of the staff
Ability to manage multiple tasks, deadlines, and think critically
Applicants must be enrolled as a law student at any accredited institution
Ultimately be accepted to participate in an internship program at LAS
Demonstrate financial need
Lack funding for their internship

Nice To Haves

Relevant clinical program or work experience is preferred, but not required

Responsibilities

Drafting motions
Conducting legal research
Assisting with investigations
Assisting with client interviews
Reviewing and organizing discovery
Other duties as assigned
Drafting sentence reduction briefs following felony guilty pleas
Drafting briefs challenging appeal waivers, SORA risk level determinations and/or briefs challenging the sufficiency of misdemeanor accusatory instruments
Observing appellate arguments and trial court SORA hearings
Engaging in other aspects of the office’s practice
Supporting DVSJA work to investigate, file, and litigate resentencing motions