Spring 2027 Criminal & Municipal Legal Internship

ArchCity Defenders • St. Louis, MO

7d • Onsite

About The Position

ArchCity Defenders is a holistic legal advocacy organization dedicated to combating the criminalization of poverty and state violence, particularly in communities of color. Our work encompasses civil and criminal legal representation, social services, impact litigation, policy and media advocacy, and community collaboration to achieve justice and equitable outcomes. We envision a society free from oppressive systems, where public safety prioritizes well-being and transformation over criminalization and incarceration. Our Civil Rights Litigation team engages in federal Section 1983 litigation, including class actions, focusing on issues such as debtors' prisons, police misconduct, cash bail, and jail conditions. Simultaneously, our Direct Representation teams provide individual legal advocacy in areas including housing, consumer, criminal, and municipal law. The Criminal & Municipal Defense team specifically focuses on providing direct defense representation for individuals facing criminal and municipal ordinance violation charges across the St. Louis region, appearing in over 80 courts annually. Legal interns will select a team to work with, gaining experience in research, drafting legal documents, assisting with discovery and investigation, and client communication. Interns are encouraged to attend court hearings with staff attorneys and function as part of an interdisciplinary team supporting ArchCity Defenders' mission.

Requirements

• Excellent written and verbal communication and interpersonal skills
• Excellent legal research and writing skills
• Detail-oriented approach to working in a team-driven organization
• High capacity for problem-solving and self-direction
• Ability to work independently within time constraints
• Flexible and able to respond appropriately to ACD’s changing needs
• Commitment to racial and economic justice and systems change
• Cultural awareness and sensitivity toward diverse populations
• Awareness of structures of power, privilege, and oppression
• Undergraduate students will engage in research, drafting, discovery, document review, investigation, and administrative work.
• Undergraduate students are encouraged to attend and observe court proceedings with staff attorneys.

Nice To Haves

• An intern seeking more individual client contact will likely prefer to work with one of the direct representation teams.
• An intern seeking federal court experience or lengthier motion drafting experience would likely prefer to work with the Civil Rights team.

Responsibilities

• Perform fact and legal research to bolster understanding of claims and issues.
• Draft memos synthesizing findings, as well as motions, pleadings, and other legal documents.
• Assist with discovery and investigation.
• Interview and communicate with clients or class members.
• Attend court proceedings with staff attorneys, where applicable.
• Coordinate with attorneys and staff to support ArchCity Defenders' mission.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed