Defend Shelby with Us!

The Law Office of the Shelby County Public Defender provides law students with a unique learning experience in criminal defense through a variety of internship and externship opportunities. As one of the oldest public defender systems in the country, we take pride in our legacy of protecting the rights of those who cannot afford a lawyer.

Our internship program pairs law students with experienced attorneys to assist with all aspects of case preparation and courtroom advocacy. Law students will have the opportunity to work in various departments within our office, including criminal court, general sessions, direct representation, juvenile defense, appellate defense, capital defense and special litigation. Additionally, our office staffs several treatment courts – mental health court, drug court and veterans court. Our interns gain practical knowledge while working in a supportive environment with a true mentor system.

Applicants should possess a passion for representing those whose liberties are at risk, an impeccable work ethic, an aptitude for oral advocacy, strong research and writing skills.

Send a cover letter and resume to Attorney Vincent Ores, recruitment coordinator, at vincent.ores@shelbycountytn.gov or apply on our website under the internship page.

Please indicate whether you are applying for Spring, Summer or Fall terms. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the available positions are filled. Students will need to arrange their own housing for the summer.

Apply Now!

Reflections from former interns:

Andrew Searles 2L University of Virginia Law School

The Law Office of the Shelby County Public Defender was a wonderful place to spend the summer after my first year of law school at the University of Virginia. 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. To step out of the classroom and do legal work for clients was extremely rewarding.

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. On top of that, the music, food, culture, and affordability of the city made it a fun place to spend the summer.

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. It also allowed me to take on more complex responsibilities as I demonstrated my competency in handling various tasks. I also had a formal mentor who was a great resource to just get another perspective and talk through my experience in the office.

On top of the challenging, rewarding work I performed on a day-to-day basis, I also went through extensive weekly training sessions on everything from negotiation to cross-examination and sentencing arguments. These were an excellent forum to get up on my feet and practice the types of skills that are so hard to develop as a student.

The Law Office of the Shelby County Public Defender is deeply invested in the summer internship experience. From the formal trainings and mentorship, to the feedback and leadership on hands-on work, to all of the social extracurricular activities they plan, it is clear that they want the interns to walk away feeling professionally and personally fulfilled. I know that I did.

Bridget Carolan 2L Georgetown Law School

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-everything from body camera footage to forensic interviews; 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 trying the case by doing research and creating a live transcript to identify inconsistencies in witness testimony. We also conducted long interviews with the client before and after trial. 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. The internship program itself was also really fun--the attorneys go out of their way to provide one-on-one mentorship, as well as skills workshops and social events. This was great as it both helped me learn practical lawyering skills, explore Memphis, and bond with my internship class.

Channell Cole 3L University of Mississippi Law School

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.

Taylor Dempsey 2L Duke University 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!

Madeline Enlow 2L Pepperdine Caruso Law School

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.

Fiona Furnari 2L Yale Law School

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 going forward; 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. I know that my legal work will long benefit from my time at the Law Office of the Shelby County Public Defender.

Christal King 2L University of Mississippi Law School

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 tailored to this program's objectives. 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 to anyone considering applying.

Alexia Klein 3L Fordham Law School

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 Law Office of the Shelby County Public Defender helped me to realize that my legal purpose lied 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. All of this helped to frame my perspective of my role. On top of this, every week, we had a class on each step of the criminal case alongside a simulated exercise. The classes were taught by assistant public defenders, who provided us with detailed feedback, referring to their professional experience, on our simulation performance. The assistant public defenders who taught the class always stressed the importance of expanding the lens of how the criminal legal system views our clients. 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 to best advocate for a given client.

What impressed upon me that my role was within the criminal public defense space was my experience with my two supervising attorneys and mentoring attorneys. First, I was paired with a mentoring attorney with whom I could relate professionally and personally. She provided an open-door policy and helped me to brainstorm bite-sized steps to accomplish my legal goals. Second, I was paired with two supervising attorneys whom I worked closely with. I spent every day in court fighting for the freedom of our clients by interviewing, assisting on bail hearings, and observing preliminary hearings. This experience allowed me to simulate what it would be like to be an assistant public defender and confirmed that this was my path. My other supervising attorney, stationed in criminal court, allowed me to observe jail visits, draft suppression motions, and research novel legal issues.

I am excited to carry the lessons I have learned from my second year of law school summer internship at the Law Office of the Shelby County Public Defender into the rest of my legal career.

Tyrese Perry 2L University of Tennessee Law School

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.

Sydney Williams 3L University of Detroit-Mercy Law School

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.

Shelby County Public Defender’s Office Internship Committee

Melissa Baker

Eric Elms

Carnita McKeithen