The Office of the Ohio Public Defender (OPD) is seeking a motivated legal intern who would work primarily with attorneys at the Lorain Correctional Institution. The legal intern will assist attorneys in the Prison Legal Services section in providing zealous, empathetic, and committed advocacy for incarcerated indigent individuals in Ohio. You will work under the supervision of OPD attorneys and work collaboratively and be mentored by attorneys and support staff on a range of legal advocacy, including meeting with clients and providing representation in matters related to violation hearings, parole, prison, and criminal law.
We are seeking a current 2L or 3L student with a legal intern certificate who has demonstrated a commitment to public defense and social justice and who is interested in working with people who are incarcerated in a prison setting.
Your Job Duties Include But Are Not Limited To
- Reviewing discovery materials for parole and post-release control violation hearings.
- Contacting relevant witnesses and gathering relevant evidence.
- Observing panel hearings or full board parole hearings for clients seeking release onto parole after decades in prison and sharing questions and feedback with attorneys.
- Conducting legal research, including locating relevant case law for violation hearing defenses and answering legal questions.
- Under supervision of a licensed attorney:
- Represent clients at post-release control violation hearings.
- Conduct interviews with clients on phone or in-person.
- Conduct factual investigations, review case material, and analyze pending cases.
- Accompany staff attorneys to client visits, oral arguments, or other proceedings.
- Participate in department meetings, moot courts, roundtables, and agency-wide meetings.
You will enjoy flexible scheduling based around your school or work schedule and work 10-20 hours per week during the 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM hours. The position does require in-office time; work-from-homes will also be available, as approved. The duration of this paid internship is planned for January through May 2026; there may be the opportunity to continue the internship on a modified schedule into the summer.
*Please upload a cover letter and your legal intern certificate to your application. In your letter, please include the number of hours per week you’re able to work.*
This position is an intermittent position that pays $22.96 per hour. There may also be annual cost of living adjustments.
The Office of the Ohio Public Defender complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact us at 614-466-5394 or HCM@opd.ohio.gov.
Certificate as legal intern as issued by Ohio Supreme Court.
Job Skills: Attorney/Legal; Active Learning; Building Trust; Attention to Detail; Problem Solving; Confidentiality
Organization
Public Defender Commission
Agency Contact Name and Information
Josh Barton, joshua.barton@opd.ohio.gov
Unposting Date
Oct 6, 2025, 11:59:00 PM
Primary Location
United States of America-OHIO-Lorain County
Compensation
$22.96
Schedule
Part-time
Classified Indicator
Unclassified
Union
Exempt from Union
Primary Job Skill
Attorney/Legal
Technical Skills
Attorney/Legal
Professional Skills
Active Learning, Attention to Detail, Building Trust, Problem Solving, Confidentiality
Agency Overview
The Office of the Ohio Public Defender (OPD) is the state agency responsible for providing legal representation and other services to people accused or convicted of a crime who cannot afford to hire an attorney.
Our Mission :Advocating. Fighting. Helping.
Our Vision :A Fair Justice System.
Our Values :Compassion. Dignity. Equity. Integrity. Service. Community.
We are committed to building a work environment where all team members have a voice and can embrace our differences to innovate service to the public in our pursuit of fairness and justice for all people.