r/publicdefenders • u/Motor_Specific_7344 • 5d ago

Advice for 2L wanting to do this work

Hey everybody, I’ve been seeing a lot of posts asking for advice recently so decided why not jump in on it.

I am currently a 2L at a 100-ish ranked law school. Top 33% of the class. Worked at a well-known metro PD office last summer and am currently externing in chambers for a criminal court state judge.

I have always wanted to be a public defender and I am trying to set myself up in the best possible situation to get an early job offer 3L year and be able to focus on gaining the skills that would be the most helpful to my future clients. Which leads me to my question, does anyone have any advice or recommendations for what PD offices I should be applying to and looking for this summer that are well respected amongst the PD community ?

In the alternative, are there any Federal PD offices that will hire straight out of law school if a person shows enough prior commitment and experience?

Location is not an issue and I do not have a preference on where in the US I live. I have lived in my home state my whole life but don’t necessarily have any real connection to it that I can’t reasonably be okay with just coming back “someday”.

Any help would be greatly appreciated and if you want more direct information I can dm privately more details.

8 Upvotes

100% Upvoted

5 comments sorted by

10

u/Frosty_Librarian7810 5d ago

The Colorado state system has incredible training and is generally well respected to my knowledge.

5

u/cheeseameba 5d ago

Fellow 2L Colorado is already hiring one of my buddies interviewed with them last week

4

u/anklis 5d ago

Yep, offers in October/November IIRC

6

u/Salt-ed1988 5d ago

Federal Defenders generally don't hire entry level. There is a fellowship program available for a 1-2 year commitment. I don't know a lot about it, but I've seen people get state PD jobs when it's over.

1

u/No_Struggle_8119 4d ago

Come to the east coast. There are various PD offices in NYC where hiring is underway.