Job Details for Paid Summer Legal Intern
| Court Name/Organization: | New Mexico Federal Public Defender |
| Overview of the Position: | The Federal Public Defender for the District of New Mexico is seeking summer Legal Interns in our Albuquerque and Las Cruces offices for the summer of 2025 (May – August). The Federal Public Defender office operates under the Criminal Justice Act, 18 U.S.C. §3006A, to provide vigorous criminal defense representation to our clients under the Sixth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. |
| Location: | Albuquerque, Las Cruces, NM |
| Opening and Closing Dates: | 08/08/2024 - 02/01/2025 |
| Appointment Type: | N/A |
| Link to Court Careers Information: | https://nm.fd.org/employments-internships |
| Announcement Number: | 2025-01 summer intern |
Position Description
Interns will help trial attorneys research legal issues, conduct witness interviews, draft motions, work directly with clients, and assist in trial preparation. Interns may also work with the office’s appellate attorneys on projects such as drafting memoranda, working on appellate pleadings, and drafting petitions for certiorari to the Supreme Court. A supervisory attorney will monitor intern assignments and interns can expect to work with more than one attorney during their internships. Interns may also be able to appear in court on a limited basis pursuant to a local practice order and under the supervision of an Assistant Federal Public Defender.
The Legal Intern provides research and writing services to staff attorneys. The Legal Intern writes briefs, motions, petitions for certiorari, and legal memoranda for review by the Defender and staff attorneys. General duties include examining, analyzing, and researching records and issues. This is a great opportunity for rising 2L or 3L law students to gain valuable experience in criminal defense practice. The FPD is a busy, fast-paced office with cases from all over New Mexico. We handle a wide variety of cases, including Indian Country cases (murder, manslaughter, aggravated sexual abuse, assault), guns, drugs (wiretap/undercover, highway stops, interstate train and bus searches), robberies (bank, Hobbs Act), fraud, threats, supervised release violations, and appeals. Our Las Cruces office is on the front line of border issues where you will gain valuable experience assisting with criminal immigration offenses, smuggling offenses, drug cases, and violent felonies.
Qualification
Applicants must have completed at least their first year of law school. This internship has a requirement of at least 20 hours per week for 10 weeks, but interns have the option of working up to 40 hours per week. Final offer is subject to a satisfactory background investigation. You must be a U.S. citizen or person authorized to work in the U.S. and receive compensation by Electronic Funds Transfer (direct deposit).
How To Apply
In one PDF document, please submit a statement of interest and detailed resume of experience with at least three references to: Michelle Dworak, Administrative Officer, FDNM-HR@fd.org. Reference 2025-summer intern in the subject. No phone calls please.
The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.