Law Student Interns
Join Our Mission:
Make a Difference as an Intern with the Ventura County Public Defender's Office
How to Become a Law Student Intern
We select law student interns based on their passion for public defense and their commitment to excellence. As an intern, you can expect to engage in a variety of tasks, including:
- Criminal research and motion writing
- Trial preparation and case file review
- Reviewing body camera footage and audio files
- Identifying and exploring legal issues
You will work closely with attorneys on assignments, contact clients, and observe court procedures. Interns will be assigned to one of the following practice areas:
- General Litigation
- Appeals
- Juvenile Unit
- Veteran’s Treatment Court
- Mental Health Diversion Court
- Immigration Unit
Requirements:
- Must be currently enrolled in law school or have completed law school (Post Bar)
- To apply, send your cover letter, resume, and a writing sample to PDIP@ventura.org
- In your cover letter, explain why you want to clerk for the Ventura County Public Defender’s Office and why you are a strong candidate
- Qualified candidates will be invited for an interview
Important Notes:
- Internships are unpaid and do not guarantee future employment with the office
- We encourage interns to become “certified law clerks” under California Bar Rules (Rule 3.4: Practical Training of Law Students) before starting their clerkship
- Only certified clerks can appear on the record in case proceedings
- Our office will help eligible interns with the certification process
Direct Applications to:
PDIP@ventura.org
Our Intern Program is supervised by:
Ayala Benefraim,
Chief Deputy Public Defender
Damon Jenkins,
Senior Deputy Public Defender
and
Bailey Fowler,
Senior Deputy Public Defender
Suggested Application Times
- Spring Post-Bar (for those taking a February bar exam) – November of the preceding year.
- Fall Post-Bar (for those taking a July bar exam) – July of the same year.
- Spring Internship for Second- or Third-Year Law Students – November of the preceding year.
- Summer Internship for Rising Second- and Third-Year Law Students* – February of the same year.
- Fall Internship for Second- or Third-Year Law Students – July of the same year.
* Clerk will have completed one or two years of law school before beginning summer clerkship.