Internship

Internship Information



The Office of the Federal Public Defender for the Districts of Colorado and Wyoming offers internship opportunities in the Spring, Summer, and Fall semesters. In the Summer, we offer both a general internship and a unique appellate internship opportunity. All internships are non-salaried and there is no promise of future employment.

Who we are:

The Office of the Federal Public Defender for the Districts of Colorado and Wyoming provides indigent defendants in federal cases quality legal representation at all stages of litigation for offenses ranging from petty misdemeanors to serious felony offenses. The Denver and Cheyenne offices are staffed with Assistant Federal Public Defenders who work in either the trial or the appellate section, as well as investigators, paralegals, and support personnel. Typical caseloads include misdemeanors, felonies, revocation of supervised release, and appeals to the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit and the United States Supreme Court. Our work plays a critical role in promoting the equitable and fair treatment of our clients, regardless of their backgrounds, and in giving voice to their diverse identities, cultures, and life experiences. 

Internship Information:

The Office of the Federal Public Defender for the Districts of Colorado and Wyoming currently offers two distinct internship opportunities – a general internship with exposure to both trial and appellate practice (spring, summer, and fall), and an appellate intensive internship (summer only). All internships are based in Denver, Colorado. Detailed information about each internship is outlined below. Please note, if you wish to be considered for both the General and Appellate internship for Summer 2024, you must submit applications for each.


*          *          *


Information for General Intern Applicants (Spring 2024, Summer 2024):

General intern role and responsibilities:

Each intern will receive hands-on experience in the preparation of various stages of a client’s defense. An intern may research legal issues, draft motions and memoranda, and otherwise assist intrial or sentencing preparation. Interns may also work with the Defender’s appellate attorneys. These interns will collaborate on briefs to the circuit court, certiorari petitions, and merit briefs to the Supreme Court. A supervisory attorney will monitor intern assignments in each office; however, interns should expect to work with one or more of the attorneys during their placement.

General intern qualifications and requirements:

The ideal candidate will have a strong interest in indigent defense. Applicants must have completed two years at an accredited law school to be considered (or three semesters for school year interns). Summer interns are expected to work forty hours (40) per week in either five-to-six week blocks (for those who split their summer internships) or ten-to-twelve week blocks. School year interns are typically asked to commit to a minimum of fifteen (15) hours per week.

How to apply for the general internship:

Applications should be sent to Laura Suelau via e-mail at employment@cofpd.org with the subject line of “(Applicable Semester) General Internship.” Please submit a cover letter, resume (with up to three references), writing sample, and law school transcript (unofficial transcripts accepted). Selected applicants will be contacted to schedule a remote interview.

General Internship Application Deadlines:

- Spring 2024 applications are due by December 1, 2023.

- Summer 2024 applications are accepted on a rolling basis and will be accepted until March 1, 2024 or until the position is filled. We encourage applicants to submits transcripts that include Fall 2023 grades.


*          *          *


Information for Appellate Intern Applicants (Summer 2024):

Appellate intern and responsibilities:

The purpose of the summer appellate internship is to provide students interested in indigent defense with the opportunity to gain federal appellate experience. Appellate interns will spend their summer focused on a specific federal criminal appeal—from reviewing the record, to identifying issues for appeal, to drafting portions of the opening brief—under the close supervision of an experienced appellate attorney. Interns may also have the opportunity to work on smaller research assignments, observe district court proceedings, participate in moots, and attend oral argument.

Appellate intern qualifications and requirements:

The ideal candidate will have a strong interest in indigent defense and appellate practice. Candidates must be current law students who will have completed at least one year of law school before the start of the internship. Summer interns are expected to work 40 hours per week in either five-to-six week blocks (for those who split their summer internships) or 10-to-12 week blocks.

How to apply for the appellate internship:

Applications should be sent to Katie Shen via e-mail to employment@cofpd.org with the subject line “Summer Appellate Internship.” Please submit a cover letter, resume (with up to three references), writing sample, and law school transcript. The cover letter should explain why the applicant is interested in indigent defense and/or appellate practice. The writing sample should demonstrate the applicant’s legal analytical ability—e.g., a brief or memorandum written for a legal research and writing class. Selected applicants will be contacted to schedule a remote interview.

Application timeline:

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis after October 15, 2023. Interested applicants are encouraged to apply at their earliest convenience.

Important notes for all Applicants:

All applicants must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident seeking U.S. citizenship. Acceptance is contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation and an Application for Judicial Employment (AO-78). Interns are subject to the Federal Public Defender Code of Conduct.

*          *          *

No phone calls please. Late applications will not be considered. The Federal Public Defender is an equal opportunity employer.