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Form of workAbout Us:
The Office of the Ohio Public Defender (OPD) is the state agency responsible for providing legal representation and other services to people accused or convicted of a crime who cannot afford to hire an attorney.
Our Mission: Advocating. Fighting. Helping.
Our Vision: A Fair Justice System.
Our Values: Compassion. Dignity. Equity. Integrity. Service. Community.
Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion: Our commitment to inclusion is inseparable from our commitment to a fair justice system. We strive to ensure inclusive spaces and services for our staff, our clients, and Ohio's diverse communities. We are committed to building a work environment where all our team members have a voice and can embrace our differences to innovate service to the public. We can best meet our public defense mission through a diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace, where employees thrive, our mission is accomplished, and Ohioans are served. #TeamOPD is grounded in diversity, equity, inclusion as we work together to pursue fairness and justice for all people.
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About the Position and What You'll Do:
We are seeking a Law Student Intern for Summer 2024 and the 2024-25 academic year to join our Wrongful Conviction Project (WCP). We are seeking energetic, team-oriented individuals who demonstrate a commitment to reforming our criminal legal system and a dedication to aiding individuals wrongfully convicted in Ohio. The internship will begin in May 2024, and is designed to supplement your legal study and to provide useful experience to accompany your school education. We are seeking students who will have completed their first or second year of law school at the time the internship term commences.
The WCP was created in 2009 to address post-conviction claims of innocence where biological evidence (DNA) was not available. The WCP hosts paid Law Student Interns, externs, and volunteers, training them to be quality advocates. The WCP is also a member of the Innocence Network, an affiliation of organizations around the world dedicated to providing pro bono legal and investigative services to individuals seeking to prove their innocence of crimes for which they have been convicted, working to redress the causes of Wrongful Convictions, and supporting the exonerated after they are freed.
You will work under the supervision of WCP staff and review cases of unrepresented individuals incarcerated in Ohio who advance claims of Wrongful Conviction. You will work directly with incarcerated individuals whose cases are reviewed by the Project, providing substantial case analysis, research and investigation and intensive document review to inform future litigation with the goal of exoneration. You will be expected to be able to work collaboratively with WCP team members.
Your job duties include but are not limited to:
- Assist WCP team members in screening and evaluating claims of Wrongful Conviction.
- Conduct legal research; gather, review, and organize case records.
- Assist team members in the formulation of legal strategies for a particular client and litigation.
- When appropriate, aid investigators in conducting fieldwork (e.g., interview potential witnesses).
- When possible, attend court proceedings.
- Other duties as assigned.
Schedule and Work Location:
The internship is scheduled to begin May 20, 2024, and continue through May 16, 2025. The internship is in-person in our Columbus office and your schedule will be 32-35 hours per week Monday-Friday during the summer, and approximately 10 hours per week Monday-Friday during the academic year. Hours are expected to be worked between 9am and 5pm. The internship is temporary, intermittent, and not benefits-eligible. We can work with you to ensure start and end dates and your weekly schedule do not conflict with your academic schedule.
*PLEASE UPLOAD A COVER LETTER, RESUME, AND WRITING SAMPLE TO YOUR APPLICATION. In your letter, please include the number of hours per week you will be able to work May 2024-August 2025.*
The Office of the Ohio Public Defender complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact Tamra Meister, ADA Coordinator, at 614-466-5394 or HCM@opd.ohio.gov.
Must be currently enrolled in Law School as a rising 2L or later in good academic standing. What we're looking for: Excellent legal research and writing skills with an emphasis on detail; a working knowledge of criminal law and procedure; strong organization and time management skills; proficient verbal communication skills; skill in the use of office equipment (computer, copier, scanner); and basic skills in the use of Microsoft Office and Adobe Acrobat. Skills: research, law, active learning, written communication.
