Federal Public Defender Accepting Applications for Summer 2025 Legal Internships

The Office is managed by the Federal Public Defender, who oversees offices in Charlottesville, Roanoke, and Abingdon, Virginia. Each of these offices is staffed by Assistant Federal Public Defenders (“AFPD”), investigators, paralegals, and support personnel. The AFPDs and staff handle caseloads comprised of federal misdemeanors, felonies, probation and supervised release violations, grand jury representations, direct appeals to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, and petitions for writs of certiorari to and arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Each of the three offices has two placements for non-salaried legal interns each summer. Interns have the unique opportunity to receive hands-on experience in the preparation of the defense of criminal cases in federal court. Interns may be asked to conduct legal research, draft motions, memoranda, and appellate briefs and/or habeas corpus petitions. They also might be asked to assist with trial preparation and investigation, including client/witness interviews, visiting the crime scene, and helping the attorneys in planning case strategy. Moreover, interns are encouraged to observe court proceedings.

Interns are assigned to work directly with one or more AFPDs, who along with the Federal Public Defender, will supervise their work. Interns will receive informal feedback from their attorneys, and if requested, a formal evaluation of their performance at the end of the term. Interns also may be invited to attend informal lectures on criminal practice in federal court.

All interns are expected to commit to working approximately forty hours per week beginning the Tuesday after Memorial Day for ten weeks. Law students of any year may apply for an internship, but preference will be given to second and third year students. Interns will be selected on their desire to work in this Office, the basis of their past work or school experiences, their demonstrated level of maturity and competence, as well as the level of commitment they are prepared to make to the work of the Office.

Persons interested in applying for a legal intern position must submit: (1) a cover letter; (2) a current resume; (3) a writing sample; and (4) three references, including contact information. Applicants should indicate in their cover letter whether they are applying to work in the Charlottesville, Roanoke, or Abingdon office – or multiple offices. Intern positions may be filled on a rolling admissions policy.

We are currently reviewing applications for Summer 2025 internships. Interested candidates should submit their applications no later than February 28, 2025.  All application materials should be forwarded to AFPD Dustin Franklin by email at dustin_franklin@fd.org and Administrative Officer Rhonda Bowman at rhonda_bowman@fd.org.