Serving Clients in the Second Circuit and the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York

Paralegal-Interns

Internship Announcement for:
Paralegal Intern
Eligibility: Undergraduate Juniors & Seniors and Recent College Graduates
Funding/Support: Academic Credit or External Funding
Application Deadline: January 12, 2026

Federal Defenders of New York (FDNY) has several exciting opportunities available for Paralegal Interns to join our offices in both the Eastern and Southern Districts of New York (EDNY and SDNY). Candidates selected for this role may be placed in EDNY (Brooklyn) or SDNY (Manhattan and White Plains). As a paralegal intern, you will gain meaningful exposure to criminal defense law, advocacy and direct client service while supporting and working closely with our paralegal team. This unpaid role is open to undergraduate juniors, seniors, and post-baccalaureate graduates, and requires either:

  • one semester commitment during the academic year (spring or fall), or

  • an 8–10-week placement commitment during the summer.

Who are we?

FDNY is a community defender organization that provides legal representation to indigent persons accused of federal crimes in the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York and in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. We are not a government agency, and our employees are not government employees. Our mission is straightforward: although we provide our services free of cost, our clients should receive the finest legal representation available at any price. We are looking for someone who is committed to equal justice and able to support our vigorous fight for those accused of crimes.

About the role: primary responsibilities

As a paralegal intern, you will support a collaborative defense team of trial attorneys, paralegals, investigators, and social workers. On the team, you will support clients during every step of their federal criminal case from start to finish, including acquittal or sentencing, up through re-entry.  You will have the opportunity to attend hearings and court appearances, conduct client interviews, speak with witnesses, collect and review mitigation materials, prepare documents for hearings and trials, and learn the inner workings of the federal court system.

Interns will observe court proceedings, and may visit federal jails, and assist with field investigations as appropriate.

This role will allow you to develop a wide array of skills and abilities as it is in direct support of the client. Your daily work will range from, but not be limited to, assistance with evidence review, preparation of bail packages, collection and review of mitigation materials, and other hands-on administrative tasks.

The intern schedule will be Monday through Friday as follows: Summer, 30-40 hours/week; Academic year, 10-12 hours/week.

What you’ll learn

Although the pace of the day may vary, interns will gain experience in client communication and rapport building, investigative research and case analysis, lessons in advocacy and trial preparation, organizing case files and exhibits, and exposure to reentry and mitigation support. As an FDNY Intern you will gain exposure to a variety of cases including violent crimes, drug trafficking, robberies, fraud, immigration-related offenses, and internet-related crimes, including child pornography.

As an intern you will serve as a collaborative and crucial part of our teams in helping to ensure that each client is provided with dignified representation and support. Along the way you will gain guidance and mentorship from experienced professionals on what you can expect within the legal field and what it means to provide client-centered service, as well as receive advice on how to explore careers within it.

Who you are

  • An undergraduate junior (rising senior), senior, or post-baccalaureate graduate.  

  • Resides in New York City or neighboring area at the start and throughout the internship.

  • A self-starter comfortable working both independently and collaboratively.

  • Demonstrate strong research, writing, time management, and communication skills.

  • Displays sound judgment, interpersonal sensitivity, and organizational skills to navigate shifting demands.

  • Proficient in Microsoft Systems (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).

  • Interested in public defense work and advocacy, and commitment to FDNY’s mission.

  • Fluency or professional proficiency in Spanish, Arabic and other languages is a plus

Additional Information

This is an unpaid internship. Interns must secure academic credit or external funding through their school, fellowship program, or sponsoring institution. All participants who require assistance with the completion of any applications or documentation, for academic credit or funding from their school or sponsors will receive support from FDNY. FDNY does not provide compensation or healthcare benefits to interns. Participants in this program must maintain their own health coverage, including coverage for worker’s compensation if required.

 

Federal Defenders of New York is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply, as FDNY is dedicated to promoting a work environment that supports and respects all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, gender identity, national origin, religion, or disability. Our office is committed to building a workplace that embraces different identities, voices, and worldviews—valuing equity and the richness of varied lived experiences.

Ready to join us in the fight for justice? To apply, all interested applicants must electronically submit one PDF to our application portal containing a cover letter addressed to Attorneys-In-Charge, Michelle Gelernt and Jennifer Brown and a resume. In the cover letter, it must include:

  • Your interest in public defense and advocacy

  • Your qualifications for this internship

  • How you learned about this role

Please note that only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. Phone calls and faxes will not be accepted. The priority application deadline is January 12, 2026. However, applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled for the semester term in review.