What are the responsibilities and job description for the Summer 2026 Legal Internship - Federal Public Defender WDNC position at National Legal Aid & Defender Association?
Position Description
The Federal Public Defender for the Western District of North Carolina is currently recruiting for qualified and committed interns who reflect the diversity of the community that we serve. We anticipate the program running from May 18 to July 24, 2026.
The FPD WDNC houses a Trial Unit, Appellate Unit, and Capital Habeas Unit. Our Trial Unit represents indigent defendants charged with a range of federal criminal offenses, including (but not limited to) gun crimes, robberies, and fraud. The Trial Unit assists clients with everything from CVB (petty) offenses to murder. Our Appellate Unit assists with pretrial and sentencing litigation and represents clients on appeal in the Fourth Circuit and Supreme Court. Our Capital Habeas Unit, based in the Charlotte office, represents indigent prisoners under state and federal sentences of death imposed within the Fourth Circuit’s appellate jurisdiction. Interns will be assigned to one or multiple units.
Interns will assist with the varied and rewarding work of indigent criminal defense. They will have the opportunity to research and draft motions and legal memoranda, to interview witnesses, to meet with clients, to investigate the facts of the crime and evidence in mitigation of sentence, and to help prepare for jury trials or stay litigation and clemency proceedings. This internship may be a mixture of telework and office/court time.
This is an unpaid internship, and interns are responsible for parking arrangements at their own expense. Students may wish to secure class credit for their work with us, or apply for any public interest fellowship or stipend that may be available through your law school. All interns must complete a background check and will be fingerprinted prior to beginning the internship.
The Federal Public Defender for the Western District of North Carolina is currently recruiting for qualified and committed interns who reflect the diversity of the community that we serve. We anticipate the program running from May 18 to July 24, 2026.
The FPD WDNC houses a Trial Unit, Appellate Unit, and Capital Habeas Unit. Our Trial Unit represents indigent defendants charged with a range of federal criminal offenses, including (but not limited to) gun crimes, robberies, and fraud. The Trial Unit assists clients with everything from CVB (petty) offenses to murder. Our Appellate Unit assists with pretrial and sentencing litigation and represents clients on appeal in the Fourth Circuit and Supreme Court. Our Capital Habeas Unit, based in the Charlotte office, represents indigent prisoners under state and federal sentences of death imposed within the Fourth Circuit’s appellate jurisdiction. Interns will be assigned to one or multiple units.
Interns will assist with the varied and rewarding work of indigent criminal defense. They will have the opportunity to research and draft motions and legal memoranda, to interview witnesses, to meet with clients, to investigate the facts of the crime and evidence in mitigation of sentence, and to help prepare for jury trials or stay litigation and clemency proceedings. This internship may be a mixture of telework and office/court time.
This is an unpaid internship, and interns are responsible for parking arrangements at their own expense. Students may wish to secure class credit for their work with us, or apply for any public interest fellowship or stipend that may be available through your law school. All interns must complete a background check and will be fingerprinted prior to beginning the internship.
