Our Internship Programs
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Summer Public Defender Internship
The Summer Public Defender Internship is a 9-week program based in our trial offices in Topeka and Wichita. This is a full-time paid internship. We will work to accommodate students who would like to receive externship credit instead of a paid position.
Applications for the Summer Public Defender Internship are accepted on a rolling basis. The majority of our interns are accepted into the program in the fall semester.
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Criminal Justice Legislative Advocacy Internship
Legislative Advocacy Interns will work with our Legislative Advocacy Committee to advance criminal justice reform consistent with the goals of a zealous and holistic defense of indigent people. This is a part-time paid internship during the spring semester only. We will work to accommodate students who would like to receive externship credit instead of a paid position.
Applications for the Legislative Advocacy Internship are accepted on a rolling basis.
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Death Penalty Defense Internship
The Death Penalty Defense Internship is an advanced criminal defense internship open to students who have completed a prior criminal law internship, externship, or clinic. This is a part-time paid internship based in our Death Penalty Defense Unit in Topeka during the spring or fall semester. We will work to accommodate students who would like to receive externship credit instead of a paid position.
Applications for the Death Penalty Defense Internship are accepted on a rolling basis.
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Summer Undergraduate Student Investigator Internship Program
This 9-week paid internship offers undergraduate students a substantive and unique opportunity to learn how to do investigative work on a legal defense team. This internship is based in our trial offices in Salina and Junction City. Interns will learn how to handle a criminal defense investigation and conduct fieldwork alongside experienced investigators. This experience is valuable for students pursuing careers in law, criminal justice, and related fields.
Applications for the Summer Undergraduate Student Investigation Internship are accepted on a rolling basis.
Application information:
Interested in applying? Please email your application materials to Alexa’jayne Richards, Lead Special Projects Staff Attorney (arichards@sbids.org). Applications for any of our internship programs should include the following:
Cover Letter (addressing your interest in public defense and the specific internship program)
Resume
Writing Sample (10 pages or less)
We will accept applications from 1L and 2L students currently enrolled in an accredited law school for our Summer Public Defender Internship, our Criminal Justice Legislative Advocacy Internship, and our Death Penalty Defense Internship.
We will accept applications from undergraduate students currently enrolled in an accredited college or university for our Summer Undergraduate Student Investigator internship.
We value diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential elements that create and foster a welcoming workplace and internship program.