The Federal Defender Program for the Middle District of Alabama provides representation to persons charged with federal crimes in the twenty-three southeastern counties of Alabama and to people on Alabama’s death row whose appeals are entering federal habeas. This office offers summer and mid-year internships to law students who possess excellent research and writing skills and demonstrate an interest in federal criminal trial work, capital habeas issues, and indigent defense issues. Prior course work in criminal law and criminal procedure would be helpful to the students. Split summers are considered. We are particularly interested in students in joint degree programs.

Law Interns complete a training program which includes lectures, role plays, and a brief research project. After completing the training program, Law Interns assist attorneys and investigators at all stages of client representation, including interviewing clients and witnesses, reviewing and organizing discovery materials, researching federal constitutional and criminal law issues, and investigating and preparing cases for pleadings, hearings and/or trial.

Law Interns will have opportunities throughout their internship to observe criminal trials and hearings of Federal Defender staff, appellate arguments conducted locally by the Alabama appellate courts and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit, and other court proceedings.

Applicants should submit, by mail or fax, a resume with a contact address and phone number, short writing sample, and the names and phone numbers of references, addressed to:

Christine A. Freeman Executive Director
Federal Defender Program, Inc.
817 South Court Street Montgomery, Alabama 36104
FAX: 334-834-0353

The Federal Defender Program is an equal opportunity employer and provides equal opportunity for all qualified people, regardless of sex, race, national origin, sexual orientation, religion or disability, to use their skills and abilities in our workplace.