Applications are submitted through a centralized process but final selections are made by the district offices. Please indicate your interest in the Summer 2025 Law Clerk Program on the application. During the application process, candidates indicate which offices they are interested in being considered for and final placement decisions are made consistent with the candidate's preferences. Please remember that OPD has offices throughout the State of Maryland, so the more specific candidates can be regarding placement, the better. Please note that only our Montgomery County and Baltimore City offices are accessible via public transportation.
Responsibilities:
- Conduct legal research
- Draft motions and memoranda
- Participate in case planning
- Assist with investigations
- Prepare for and attend trials, hearings, and/or sentencings
- Work closely with attorneys, investigators, paralegals, social workers, and other support staff
Qualifications:
-
- Interest in criminal defense and public interest law
- Strong research and writing skills
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
- Commitment to social justice and client-centered representation
Application Process:
- Applications accepted on a rolling basis
- Submit resume, cover letter, list of references, and writing sample by March 22, 2025
- Indicate interest in Summer 2025 Law Clerk Program on application
- Specify preferred office locations
- Mandatory virtual orientation on May 27-28, 2025
- Minimum 10-week commitment starting on May 27, 2025
OPD's Juvenile Law Clerk Program provides law students with the opportunity to work closely with dedicated Juvenile Defenders on all aspects of case preparation. This includes legal research, drafting motions and memoranda, case planning, investigation, witness coordination, and preparation for trials, hearings, and/or sentencings. Law clerks are fully integrated into the trial teams and work closely with attorneys, staff, and other members of the team to provide zealous and comprehensive defense for OPD clients.
The program is open to current law students and recent law school graduates, and offers a unique hands-on experience in client-centered and team-based representation. Law clerks have the opportunity to participate in significant research and writing, witness preparation, investigations, and trial preparation. Due to the ongoing pandemic, opportunities may be virtual or modified, but the commitment to providing comprehensive advocacy for clients remains the same.
This is an unpaid volunteer position, but OPD may support externs seeking credits for their work and can sponsor grant or other outside funding applications where applicable. The program runs during the summer months (May-August) and applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Final selections are made by the district offices, with candidates indicating their preferred office locations during the application process. Orientation is mandatory for all summer law clerks and will be held virtually on May 27-28, 2025. The minimum commitment is 10 weeks, starting on May 27, 2025.
Responsibilities:
- Legal research
- Motion and memorandum drafting
- Case planning
- Investigation assistance
- Trial, hearing, and sentencing preparation
- Collaboration with attorneys, investigators, paralegals, social workers, and other support staff
Qualifications:
-
- Interest in criminal defense and public interest law
- Strong research and writing skills
- Ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
- Commitment to social justice and client-centered representation
Application Process:
- Rolling basis
- Submit resume, cover letter, references, and writing sample by March 22, 2025
- Indicate interest in Summer 2025 Law Clerk Program on application
- Specify preferred office locations
- Mandatory virtual orientation on May 27-28, 2025
- Minimum 10-week commitment starting on May 27, 2025
OPD's Juvenile Law Clerk Program offers law students the opportunity to work closely with dedicated Juvenile Defenders on all aspects of case preparation, providing real-world experience and valuable skills. This is an unpaid volunteer position, but the program may support externs seeking credits for their work and can sponsor grant or other outside funding applications where applicable. The program runs during the summer months (May-August) and applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
The **MEMBERS ONLY**SIGN UP NOW***. (OPD) is a large organization that offers a variety of opportunities for law students. The Juvenile Law Clerk Program, specifically, is available in all twelve of OPD's District offices throughout the state of Maryland. Law clerks have the opportunity to work closely with attorneys, staff, and other members of the trial team, gaining hands-on experience and developing substantive skills in a real-world setting.
As a law clerk, responsibilities include conducting legal research, drafting motions and memoranda, participating in case planning, assisting with investigations, and preparing for and attending trials, hearings, and/or sentencings. This program offers a unique opportunity for law students to fully integrate into the OPD trial teams and work closely with attorneys, investigators, paralegals, social workers, and other support staff to provide comprehensive defense for clients.
Applications for the Summer 2025 Law Clerk Program are accepted on a rolling basis, with final selections made by the district offices. During the application process, candidates can indicate their preferred office locations, and final placement decisions are made accordingly. It is important for candidates to be specific in their preferences, as OPD has offices throughout the state of Maryland, with only the Montgomery County and Baltimore City offices accessible via public transportation.
Qualifications for the program include being a current law school student or recent law school graduate, having a strong interest in criminal defense and public interest law, and possessing excellent research and writing skills. The ability to work in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment and a commitment to social justice and client-centered representation are also essential
