Summer Law Clerk Internship Program

This program is for law students, typically rising 3Ls.

Each summer, one or two law students join the office as summer law clerks. Summer law clerks become immersed in federal practice, including immigration law; federal drug enforcement; internet fraud investigations; and the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines.

These law clerks gain exposure to federal judges, their staffs, the United States Attorney’s Office, and criminal defense attorneys outside of the Federal Public Defender Office. They also hone their skills in client interaction and in his a wide variety of research and writing areas. In prior years, law clerks have worked on sentencing memoranda and advocacy, suppression and evidentiary motions, trial practice, appellate advocacy, and even Supreme Court practice. Students from past years have gone on to clerk for U.S. Circuit and District Court judges as well as the Vermont Supreme Court.

Interested candidates should have very strong writing and research skills, an interest in criminal defense practice, and a commitment to the representation of indigent accused persons. Candidates should e-mail a resume, cover letter, and writing sample to Barclay_T_Johnson@fd.org. Successful applicants will be required to sign a confidentiality agreement and will be subject to a background check. The selection process is typically completed by mid-October.