Intern

THE INTERN EXPERIENCE

PFJ offers remote internships year-round (dates are flexible). We are deeply committed to equity, inclusion, and diversity in all of our hiring. People with identities or lived experience that overlap with those of our clients are strongly encouraged to apply.

Interns work with PFJ's national team to support substantive projects based on the intern's skills and interests, and related to PFJ's organizational or programmatic development. Interns do not work directly with clients and they do not work in public defender offices. If you are interested in an internship working directly with clients, we suggest raeching out to your local public defender office.

Examples of past intern projects include:

Mapping treatment facilities, civil legal practitioners, emergency housing options, and other vital community partners in one of PFJ's host jurisdictions

Researching and recommending best practices that PFJ could implement to support Advocates’ mental health and wellness during their time with PFJ

Identifying potential opportunities to spread the word about PFJ and develop content to tell PFJ’s story through social media channels

Research fundraising prospects, drafting research reports to make the case for collaborative defense, and contributing to grant proposals

WHO YOU ARE

A current undergraduate or graduate student who will receive funding or course credit from your school for participating in an internship

Passionate about public service, social justice, civil rights, or poverty alleviation

Interested in learning about how the legal system and state/municipal governments operate

Able to take initiative and work independently; excellent writing skills and strong attention to detail

APPLY BELOW

PFJ accept internship applications on a rolling basis. We will reach out to interested applicants about potential opportunities as needs arise. Due to the volume of interest we receive, we are unfortunately unable to reply to every application.

"The language of courtroom proceedings also works to otherize and separate these people from their humanity."

As a public defender, I spent a lot of time in one of the most dreaded places on Earth: the courthouse. With a few happy exceptions, people don’t choose to go to court. Most are there mounting desperate fights for their housing, their kids, their freedom. And as a result, courthouses are filled with individuals who are frightened, angry, and unhappy.

"The language of courtroom proceedings also works to otherize and separate these people from their humanity."
Courtrooms are Dehumanizing and Toxic. But Judges Can Change Their Space.
,
Emily Galvin Almanza, Founder and Co-Executive Director
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