Nigel Lewis Internship Program

The Law Office of the Shelby County Public Defender was a wonderful place to spend the summer after my first year of law school. The staff and other interns were welcoming, and the program gave me a good mix of structure and flexibility to make the most of my summer experience. I was in the court room every day — interviewing clients, scrutinizing police reports, researching legal issues, and helping to ensure that my lead attorneys had all the information they needed to provide the best possible defense.

Memphis in particular is a great place to work in public defense. As Chief Public Defender Phyllis Aluko told us at orientation, public defense is one of the key battlegrounds in today’s fight for civil rights. Memphis is a city with a long track record of involvement in civil rights work, so it’s a great place to advocate for the rights and dignity of historically marginalized communities.

I had great mentorship and training opportunities as a summer intern. Working directly under two assistant public defenders, I was able to develop close working relationships, get regular feedback on my work product, and see how experienced professionals handle the work of being a public defender. On top of the challenging, rewarding work, I also went through extensive weekly training sessions on everything from negotiation to cross-examination and sentencing arguments. The Law Office of the Shelby County Public Defender is deeply invested in the summer internship experience.

My summer at the Law Office of the Shelby County Public Defender was incredible. Working under a supervising attorney, I was able to be in court or the jail almost every day — shadowing during hearings, interviewing clients, and doing legal research. In the afternoons, I would review discovery, expunge criminal records, and draft motions and memos.

My supervising attorney ended up going to jury trial on one of her cases this summer, which was extremely exciting. The other interns and I were involved in every aspect of trial prep — from legal research to drafting cross examination questions. During the trial, we supported the attorneys by doing research and creating a live transcript to identify inconsistencies in witness testimony.

Watching my supervising attorney fight hard for all of her clients and help them through some of the hardest moments of their life with compassion was inspiring and taught me so much about what it means to be a client-centered attorney.

After interning at the Law Office of the Shelby County Public Defender’s Office, I feel ready and prepared to be a zealous advocate for the indigent as a client-centered public defender. I had the opportunity to work on everything from arraignments and bail hearings to jury trials and appeals. In completing these assignments, I received one-on-one mentoring from attorneys who were invested in my success. The internship program at this office is unmatched and is the experience that has prepared me the most for my career after law school.

I absolutely loved my summer with the Law Office of the Shelby County Public Defender! As an intern with the office’s direct representation unit, I had the opportunity to conduct mitigation interviews, draft evidentiary motions, and write case strategy memos. My supervising attorney also went to trial twice during the summer, so I helped draft cross and direct examination questions, prepare witnesses, and strategize for voir dire.

Overall, the opportunity to witness such dedicated, client-centered representation and receive mentorship from outstanding attorneys solidified my dedication to a career in public defense and reminded me of why I love being able to say I’m from Memphis!

Working at the Law Office of the Shelby County Public Defender taught me abundantly more than I could ever have hoped. The assistant public defenders that I worked for were passionate about their work and led by example, showing me the value of client-centered representation each day. I was able to do hands-on work in court every day, interviewing clients, conducting research, and bettering my legal writing skills through memos and motions.

My fellow interns quickly became close friends, being my support system and some of my favorite laughs! This experience sparked a passion for public defense and gave me a community of genuine, hardworking attorneys that have become mentors and friends. (Madeline later joined SCPD full-time as an Assistant Public Defender and now serves on the Internship Committee.)

As I start my legal career, I feel lucky to have spent my summer at the Law Office of the Shelby County Public Defender. I had the chance to engage in substantive, interesting legal research and writing which ultimately generated an excellent writing sample; to receive mentorship from my supervisor and attorney mentor, both of whom I know will gladly give me more advice whenever I need it; and to work alongside clients in a truly client-centered practice — this last experience being the most important one.

As I’ve returned to law school this fall, I’ve brought with me the concrete skills we learned in workshops, the legal writing guidance I received from my team, and a renewed commitment to client-centered, zealous advocacy.

When I embarked on my internship at the Law Office of the Shelby County Public Defender, I wasn’t sure what to anticipate. However, it far exceeded my expectations. I had the privilege of establishing professional relationships with attorneys who played a pivotal role in helping me complete the program. Throughout my internship, I had the opportunity to conduct both in-custody and out-of-custody client interviews, allowing me to gather crucial case information. Speaking with our clients and trying our best to help them was my favorite part of this program.

I had the opportunity to observe preliminary hearings, bond hearings, and other specialized activities. I was fortunate to attend Brown Bag lunches, where I had the honor of meeting and learning from prominent professionals, including the Mayor of Shelby County. Beyond the invaluable professional experiences, the internship offered enjoyable moments with the attorneys, including happy hours, field trips, and kickball games. Overall, this internship was extraordinary, and I wholeheartedly recommend it.

Before coming to the Law Office of the Shelby County Public Defender, I was sure I wanted to use my law degree to help others, but I was unsure of how to accomplish this goal. The office helped me to realize that my legal purpose lay within public defense.

The internship began with an intensive one-week orientation where we were introduced to the importance of client-centered representation, the usage of storytelling, and a brief history of Memphis. Every week, we had a class on each step of the criminal case alongside a simulated exercise. My favorite workshop was the weekly office-wide attorney brainstorming sessions where interns and experienced public defenders could evaluate every aspect of a case and come up with cutting-edge strategic plans.

What impressed upon me that my role was within the criminal public defense space was my experience with my two supervising attorneys and my mentoring attorney. I spent every day in court fighting for the freedom of our clients — interviewing, assisting on bail hearings, and observing preliminary hearings. This experience confirmed that this was my path.

Spending my summer at the Law Office of the Shelby County Public Defender was an invaluable experience after my first year of law school. Not only was I given practical experience such as interviewing clients and preparing various documents, but the office was great for development and networking. My supervising attorney was deliberate in assigning me tasks and giving constructive feedback. The interns received weekly training, and my mentor took time to build a relationship and further enhance my practical knowledge.

The Law Office of the Shelby County Public Defender provided me with everything a law student could hope for: developing practical skills, networking with outstanding attorneys and law students from around the country, and doing meaningful work in a supportive environment.

Interning at the Law Office of the Shelby County Public Defender was an incredibly rewarding experience, providing me with the best hands-on experience in the field. I had the opportunity to work closely with passionate and dedicated attorneys who taught me invaluable skills. Whether it was conducting client interviews, legal research, or other day-to-day tasks, I gained a comprehensive understanding of the legal system and the vital role public defenders play in ensuring their clients receive the very best representation.

This internship widened my knowledge and instilled a sense of advocacy for the indigent. It was an enlightening and transformative experience that prepared me for a future in the field of public defense.