Criminal Defense Practice Legal Intern, 2L – Summer 2026 bei The Legal Aid Society

The Legal Aid Society, the nation's oldest and largest social justice legal services organization, has Summer 2026 Legal Internships for the Criminal Defense Practice (CDP) throughout the city. The Criminal Defense Practice is the primary public defender in New York City, providing holistic, client-centered representation to over 200,000 people facing misdemeanor, felony, and homicide charges.

Most internships are in CDP trial offices, but candidates can also choose among the special practice offices, including the two listed below.

The Criminal Appeals Bureau (CAB)

CAB assists indigent defendant-appellants challenging their convictions on direct appeal, as well as providing a variety of other  post-conviction services. Appellate Interns are primarily responsible for drafting sentence reduction briefs following felony guilty pleas, as well as briefs challenging appeal waivers, SORA (sex offender registration act) risk level determinations and/or briefs challenging the sufficiency of misdemeanor accusatory instruments. There will also be opportunities to observe appellate arguments and trial court SORA hearings, and engage in other aspects of the office’s practice.

The Criminal Appeals Bureau “Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act (DVSJA/CAB)

The recently enacted Domestic Violence Survivors Justice Act (“DVSJA”), Criminal Procedure Law § 440.47, enables survivors of domestic violence who meet certain criteria to apply for a reduction in their prison sentences. Working with CAB supervisors, staff attorneys, mitigation specialists, and paralegals, the DVSJA 2L Intern will support CAB’s DVSJA work to investigate, file, and litigate resentencing motions."

For more information about the work of the Criminal Defense Practice and our specialized units please go to: https://www.legalaidnyc.org/programs-projects-units/

ESSENTIAL DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

We are seeking dynamic, passionate, and creative legal interns committed to our mission.  Interns will work directly with supervising attorneys. Duties may include: drafting motions, conducting legal research, assisting with investigations, assisting with client interviews, reviewing and organizing discovery, and other duties as assigned.