Spring, 2026 Client Advocate Internship, (1/24/26 – 4/24/26)

Orleans Public Defenders is seeking Spring2026Client Advocate Interns.

VISION

Dignity. Justice. Hope.

MISSION

The mission of the Orleans Public Defenders is to fight for our clients by providing excellent client-centered representation reforming the system and partnering with the community.

OPD provides holistic community-based representation for low income New Orleanians in Criminal District Juvenile and Municipal Court in Orleans Parish. We represent thousands of people each year utilizing a client-centered defense model that puts the client first and takes a 360 approach to our advocacy and representation. We recognize our clients are unique individuals and work to address their needs both in the court and out. Our diverse staff includes adult and juvenile attorneys; social workers; client youth and parent advocates; investigators and administrators all working together for equal justice for our clients their families our community and a more just New short we protect innocence defend the constitution demand justice and hold power accountable.

POSITION SUMMARY:

Client Advocate Interns will be partnered with a Client Advocate during the internship. This internship will give you unique insight into the criminal justice system and criminal defense representation particularly in New Orleans. The Client Advocate Intern will work to support and improve advocacy for clients through the case process thus increasing success upon this role the Client Advocate Intern will assist the Client Advocate in looking for alternatives to incarceration and utilize individual mitigation plans to reduce the reliance on jail. The Client Services Intern will work to divert clients to more appropriate social services and treatment. This includes direct client contact engagement with community members and coordinating with various social service and professional entities.

PROGRAM GAINS:

You will be in a position to have a profound impact on our clients livesone that many do not get an opportunity to experience. These experiences can provide you with a solid foundation for a diverse number of academic disciplines and future careersfrom law to the social sciences. Your experience in our internship program will also demonstrate responsibility and commitment to public service to both graduate and law schools.

Although the program is unpaid you may be eligible to receive academic credit for your participation in the program depending on your schools requirements. It will be your responsibility to arrange to receive academic credit for your internship though we are happy to assist you as necessary.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Applicants will have demonstrated interest in serving underprivileged communities. The ability to work well with people of various social economic and educational background is a must. Applicants will have the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with clients staff and members of the community. Other qualifications include the ability to be organized work independently as well as in a team-driven environment.

APPLICATION INTERNSHIP TERM**

Spring 2026 (13 weeks)

• Application Deadline: October 31 2025
• Interviews: Week of November 17 2025
• Acceptance Notice: by November 26 2025
• Term of Service: January 24 2026 April 24 2026

TO APPLY:

Qualified and interested applicants must submit by Friday October 31 2026 the following in PDF format to be considered for this position:

Resume

Cover letter explaining your interest in the position

Transcript (unofficial)

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

Orleans Public Defenders is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As part of this commitment our policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of our hiring process. If a reasonable accommodation is needed please contact Sharee Garnett Director Human Resources .

OPD is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to race creed color age religion gender national origin disability veteran status or sexual orientation.

The Orleans Public Defenders provide representation to indigent criminal defendants in Orleans Parish. OPDs mission is to fight for our clients by providing excellent client-centered representation reforming the system and partnering with the community. OPD is committed to representation that respects the humanity and dignity of those within the criminal legal system.