Law Student Intern - Summer 2026

State of Ohio • Columbus, OH

3d

About The Position

The State of Ohio is a drug free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non-medical cannabis). Please note, this position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug-Free Workplace Policy (HR-39), and as outlined in the posting. The Office of the Ohio Public Defender (OPD) is seeking Law Student Interns for Summer 2026 to join one of five departments\: Appeals & Postconviction, Youth Defense, Death Penalty, Wrongful Conviction Project, and Intake & Prison Legal Services. In the questionnaire at the end of your application, please indicate ALL of the departments that you would like to consider your application. Below are brief summaries of each department, as well as universal duties you will perform in any of those contexts. Appeals & Postconviction The Appeals and Postconviction Department is seeking law student interns for Summer 2026 to help us provide outstanding advocacy before the trial courts, intermediate courts of appeals, and Ohio Supreme Court. Our department primarily represents adults who have been convicted at trial on the direct appeal of their conviction. We also represent clients in a variety of postconviction proceedings, support trial attorneys in complex cases, and train the broader Ohio indigent defense bar. Law student interns will work directly with attorneys to research and draft internal memoranda and court filings, and will have the opportunity to participate in department moots, visit our incarcerated clients, and attend oral arguments. Youth Defense We are seeking a Law Student Intern for Summer 2026 to join our Youth Defense Department. Here you will help us perform post-disposition advocacy and ensure that the constitutional rights of children are fully realized and protected. We steadily work toward a holistic approach to helping youth in the justice system and know the value of our advocacy extends beyond a child’s duration of confinement. Death Penalty We are seeking a Law Student Intern for Summer 2026 to join our Death Penalty Department in providing zealous, empathetic, and committed advocacy before various trial and appellate courts throughout the state. Here you will help us represent death-sentenced clients in all stages of post-trial litigation and executive clemency. We emphasize a client-centered, team approach to representation, and our post-trial litigation may include direct appeal, post-conviction, and federal habeas corpus litigation. Wrongful Conviction Project We are seeking a Law Student Intern for Summer 2026 and the ’26-’27 academic year to join our Wrongful Conviction Project (WCP). We are seeking energetic, team-oriented individuals who demonstrate a commitment to reforming our criminal legal system and a dedication to aiding individuals wrongfully convicted in Ohio. Under the supervision of WCP staff, you will review cases of unrepresented individuals incarcerated in Ohio who advance claims of wrongful conviction. You will work with incarcerated individuals whose cases are reviewed by the Project, providing substantial case analysis, research and investigation and intensive document review to inform future litigation with the goal of exoneration. Intake & Prison Legal Services The Intake and Prison Legal Services department is seeking a motivated current 2L or 3L student with a legal intern certificate who has demonstrated a commitment to public defense work and social justice and who is interested in working with people who are currently incarcerated. Your job duties would include reviewing discovery material for parole and post-release control violation hearings, contacting relevant witnesses and gathering relevant evidence, observing panel or full board hearings for clients seeking release after decades in prison, conducting legal research for violation hearing defenses and in response letters or calls from incarcerated people and their loved ones. Under the supervision of a licensed attorney represent clients at post-release control hearings, conduct client interviews, engage in factual investigations, and review case material and analyze pending cases. Participate in department meetings, moot courts, roundtables, and agency-wide meetings.

Requirements

• Must be currently enrolled in Law School as a rising 2L or later in good academic standing
• PLEASE UPLOAD A COVER LETTER, RESUME, AND WRITING SAMPLE TO YOUR APPLICATION.
• In your letter, please include the number of hours per week you will be able to work during the summer.

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal research on defined or potential issues in cases & present this information orally and through writing
• Draft legal arguments to use in motions and other pleadings
• Conduct factual investigations, review, and analysis of pending cases
• Accompany staff attorneys to client visits, oral arguments, or other proceedings
• Participate in department meetings, moots, roundtables, and agency-wide meetings

Benefits

• Medical Coverage
• Free Dental, Vision and Basic Life Insurance premiums after completion of eligibility period
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year
• Childbirth, Adoption, and Foster Care leave
• Education and Development Opportunities (Employee Development Funds, Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and more)
• Public Retirement Systems ( such as OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS ) & Optional Deferred Compensation ( Ohio Deferred Compensation )

What This Job Offers

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