Careers in Public Defense

Texas Public Defense Careers

TIDC helps counties improve public defense through public defender offices and managed assigned counsel programs.

Public Defender Offices & Managed Assigned Counsel Programs

TIDC helps counties improve public defense through public defender offices and managed assigned counsel programs.

This map highlights which counties are served by offices as of April 2024.

Learn more about each office here: List of Managed Systems in Texas

Apply for a Legal Internship

Legal internships are generally open to current law students only.

If you are a public defense office that would like to add your office to the page or update any of the information on this page, email info@tidc.texas.gov with the office's information.

Available Periods Spring; Summer; Fall
Experience Client and witness interviews/meetings; Discovery review; Fact investigation; Research and writing; In-Court time; Trial strategy meetings; Trial preparation and assistance
Training 1-2 weeks of formal training plus external CLE seminars, such as the Rusty Duncan Advanced Criminal Law seminar. Supervisors provide feedback on an ad hoc/needed basis, including a review of all motions by the Chief Public Defender.
Court / Oral Advocacy Experience Between 25%-40% of their time is spent on this.
Timeline Applications considered on a rolling basis. Internship applications are accepted at any time.
How to Apply

Reach out to the contact below.
Contact

Chief Public Defender Stephanie Brown, sbrown@co.atascosa.tx.us 

Available Periods Spring; Summer; Fall; Post-Graduation
Experience Client interviews; Research and writing; Court observation; In-court representation; Identification of social/medical services for clients; Policy
Training Mixture of both formal and informal/ad hoc training.
Court / Oral Advocacy Experience Between 25%-35% of their time is spent on this.
Timeline No specific deadline.
How to Apply https://www.dallascounty.org/government/public-defender/application.php
Contact Paul Blocker, Paul.Blocker@dallascounty.org

Available Periods Spring; Summer; Fall; Post-Graduation
Experience Client interviews; Research and writing; Court observation; Investigation; In-court representation; Mitigation; Identification of social/medical services for clients; Policy; Administrative tasks
Training No formal training for interns. The intern’s supervisor trains on an ad hoc/needed basis.
Court / Oral Advocacy Experience Between 25%-35% of their time is spent on this.
How to Apply https://www.epcounty.com/hr/careers/internships.htm
Contact Frank Chelly, Fchelly@epcounty.com

Available Periods Spring; Summer; Fall; Post-Graduation
Experience Research and writing; Court observation; Administrative tasks; Interns observe all aspects of our work, but they have no primary responsibilities over clients and cases.
Training No formal training for interns. The intern’s supervisor trains on an ad hoc/needed basis.
Court / Oral Advocacy Experience Between 25%-35% of their time is spent on this.
Timeline Rolling deadlines. Summer interns are usually picked in Spring.
How to Apply https://hcpdo.org/internships/
Contact Sarah Wood

Available Periods Spring; Summer; Fall; Post-Graduation
Experience Research and writing; Court observation; Investigation; Review and digest capital trial records; Visit clients; Interns observe all aspects of our work, but they have no primary responsibilities over clients and cases.
Training Initial training and orientation. Ongoing supervision by dedicated intern supervisor.
Court / Oral Advocacy Experience None.
Timeline Rolling deadlines. Summer interns are usually picked in Fall.
How to Apply

For more information, visit https://ocfw.texas.gov/legal-internship. To be considered, send:

  1. a letter of interest and
  2. a resume to internship@ocfw.texas.gov.
Contact Sarah Brandon, internship@ocfw.texas.gov

Available Periods Spring; Summer
Experience Client interviews; Research and writing; Court observation; Investigation; Mitigation
Training Formal training for interns.
Court / Oral Advocacy Experience None.
Timeline Begins recruiting in the Fall of the year prior.
How to apply https://www.rpdo.org/internship/
Contact Ray Keith, Chief Public Defender, rkeith@rpdo.org

Available Periods Spring; Summer; Fall; Post-Graduation
Experience Client interviews; Research and writing; Court observation; In-court representation; Investigation; Mitigation; Identification of social/medical services for clients; Policy; Administrative tasks
Training Mixture of both formal training and ad hoc/supervisor training.
Court / Oral Advocacy Experience Between 35%-50% of their time is spent on this.
Timeline Fellowships will be posted in February 2023.
How to Apply https://www.trla.org/student-opportunities
Pay The law graduate program pays new graduates while they study and take the bar exam. They do not have to report to work until after they take the bar exam. They get paid solely to study and take the test (paid fellowship starting in 2022).
Contact Adriana Rodriguez, Director of Recruiting for all of TRLA, adrianarodriguez@trla.org

Available Periods Spring; Summer; Fall; Post-Graduation
Experience Client interviews; Research and writing; Court observation; In-court representation; Investigation; Mitigation; Identification of social/medical services for clients; Policy
Training No formal training for interns, but supervisors train on an ad hoc/needed basis.
Court / Oral Advocacy Experience Under 25% of their time is spent on this.
Timeline Apply anytime.
How to Apply Reach out to the contacts below.
Contact David Bost, david.bost@co.wichita.tx.us, Jarret Noll, jarret.noll@co.wichita.tx.us

Available Periods Summer, Remote with Opportunities for In-person Observation
Experience Research and writing; Policy development; Oral presentations
Training Initial orientation and training programs. Mixture of both formal and informal/ad hoc training.
Court / Oral Advocacy Experience None.
Timeline TIDC may participate in the annual Public Student Career Fair at UT Law and receives applications directly through our form. Interns are considered on a rolling basis.
How to Apply Complete this application form.
Pay Unpaid; UT Law students may receive up to $6,000 for a full summer internship or $3,000 for a half summer internship (or other amount subject to TIDC's agreement with UT Law).
Contact Kristin Meeks, Policy Analyst and Internship Lead, info@tidc.texas.gov

Available Periods Summer (9-week placements)
Experience Research and writing; Court observation; Client interviews; In-court representation and potential trial experience
Training Rural criminal practice bootcamp; mixture of formal training and supervisor training.
Court / Oral Advocacy Experience Depends on student eligibility for Texas student bar card.
Timeline Begins recruiting in the Fall of the year prior.
How to Apply

This program is not accepting applications at this time.

https://www.smu.edu/Law/Centers-and-Initiatives/Deason-Center/Work/Action/Rural-Summer-Externship-Program
Contact Kenitra Brown, Engagement Director, kenitra@mail.smu.edu

Apply for a Legal Fellowship or Mentorship Program

Legal fellowship and mentorship program are generally open to new law school graduates or lawyers within the their first few years of practice only.

If you are a public defense office that would like to add your office to the page or update any of the information on this page, email info@tidc.texas.gov with the office's information.

Location Travis County
Length of Program Minimum of 2 Years
Types of Cases Misdemeanor, Felony, or Mental Health
Training Mentees have mandatory orientation and intensive training in February, followed by 6 months to 1 year of mentoring with a CAPDS panel attorney and staff. They will receive training in trial techniques and strategies, and receive tips and guidance in setting up a criminal law practice. Mentees will also meet for case conferencing and meet regularly with their assigned mentor.
Assigned Cases

Mentees are required to accept a meaningful number of monthly assignments to remain in the program.
Support

Mentees have access to investigators, experts, second-chair assistance, legal research, motions bank, and attorney assistance.
Timeline

Generally, applications open in November, and applications close in December. This year, applications open on November 15, 2023, and are due on December 15, 2023. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Compensation

Attorneys are paid a flat fee per case or hourly for work on the case. Additional pay is available for Spanish speakers. The full fee schedule is available here.
Post-Program Results

After successfully completing the program, mentees will be placed on the corresponding attorney panel.
How to Apply

Apply for the misdemeanor, felony, or mental health mentorship programs here: http://www.capds.org/become-a-mentee.html
Contact

Director of Defense Services and Outreach Katy Jo Muncie, katyjo@capds.org

Apply for Texas Public Defense Positions

Find open Texas Criminal Defense Positions in the Job Center of Texas Criminal Defense Lawyers Association (TCDLA).

Job Center of TCDLA