2Ls & 1Ls: Summer Internship with Knoxville Public Defender
The Knox County Public Defender’s Community Law Office has gained national recognition for its holistic representation model. Our 28 staff attorneys represent juvenile and adult clients from their initial appearance through appeal. Our focus on client-centered representation includes an in-house social services department with six full-time social workers who assist our clients with a range of issues, including mitigation work, treatment, housing, employment, driver’s license assistance, and counseling. We partner with a wide range of community organizations to offer after-school and summer programs for our clients’ children and other at-risk youth.
Law student interns are assigned to supervising attorneys who will involve them in every stage of client representation. Interns’ primary responsibilities are appearing in court, legal research, memo writing and motion drafting. In addition, they conduct client interviews, participate in client jail visits, conduct investigation, interview witnesses, gather and review client records, and collaborate with social services staff members.
Eligible law student interns are sworn in under the Tennessee student practice rule and appear in court under supervision.
Law student interns also participate in a number of activities, including involvement with our Summer at the CLO program for at-risk youth. Additionally, law student interns will tour local jails, Tennessee’s death row, the medical examiner’s office, and other relevant local agencies.
Law student interns are expected to work the full work week. The internship begins Monday, June 3, 2019 and runs 8-10 weeks.
We are primarily seeking motivated rising 3Ls with a demonstrated interest in public defense, but will also accept applications from rising 2Ls. Students should have a background in research and writing, as well as client interaction.
*Historically, we have been able to offer our summer interns a small stipend. Our budget is not set until later in the year so we are unable to determine the amount of the stipend at this time.
To apply, please send your resume and cover letter to Sarah Parker (sparker@pdknox.org) and Jonathan Harwell (jharwell@pdknox.org) by November 15, 2018. More information about our office is located at http://www.pdknox.org.
