Civil Rights Intern Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Salary: See Position Description
Location : Public Defender - 150 2nd Ave N., Nashville, Tn, TN
Job Type: Temporary
Job Number: PD06590
Division: Public Defender
Opening Date: 05/07/2026
Position Description
This is a non-Civil Service announcement. Our student volunteers support the work of the office in numerous ways. We strive to create a challenging but supportive educational environment for our interns. We hope our interns and volunteers will leave our program with a thorough understanding of our client-centered indigent defense practice and practical skills they can apply in the future, as well as a sense of discernment about whether a career as a public defender is right for them. Ideal candidates will be familiar with the principles of client-centered representation, and willing to practice in that model. Candidates should also demonstrate a commitment to serving marginalized persons and communities, and the ability to recognize and respect the human dignity of every person. This internship is unpaid.
The Metropolitan Public Defender's Office represents adults accused of crimes in Davidson County who cannot afford to hire a lawyer, and children in Davidson County charged with being delinquent and unable to hire a lawyer. Cases range from the simplest misdemeanor to complex capital murder cases. Our mission is to defend the liberty, honor and constitutional rights of the individuals, of all ages, whose cases have been entrusted to us. Through zealous advocacy, we strive not only to deliver excellence in our representation of each and every client, but also to stand with our clients and the community in working to create a more just, fair and compassionate legal system. The guiding principle of the Office is that each client is entitled to quality representation that recognizes the client's dignity and achieves the best possible outcome for the case. Our attorneys, investigators, social workers and support staff take great pride in providing a high level of service.
Typical Duties

• Interacting with and building relationships with clients
• Assisting with investigation and mitigation work, including but not limited to reviewing case information, interviewing witnesses, visiting alleged crime scenes, and developing mitigation information
• Observing and participate in negotiations with prosecutors
• Observing and participate in courtroom proceedings
• Researching and write legal memoranda
• Directly representing clients in court proceedings if qualified for limited practice license
• Other duties as needed to further the zealous representation of our clients.

SUPERVISION EXERCISED/SUPERVISION RECEIVED
Depending on job assignment, interns will report directly to an Assistant Public Defender, Client Advocate, Investigator, or Legal Assistant. All interns will receive additional training and supervision from the Assistant Deputy Public Defender and the Intern Coordinator.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Work involves moderate risks or discomforts associated with a courthouse or jail environment, which require special safety precautions, e.g., working in crowded conditions, and working around persons imprisoned for a wide variety of illegal acts. Employees may be required to use protective clothing or gear.
Requires substantial physical exertion such as long periods of standing, walking, climbing, bending, stooping, stretching, or similar activities.
Typical Office Setting.
Minimum Qualifications
For second year law student interns: college degree and current enrollment in law school with at least three completed semesters required, and also must qualify for supervised practice license pursuant to Tenn. Sup. Ct. Rule 7, § 10.03
For first year law student interns: college degree and current enrollment in law school with one completed semester required.
For undergraduate and high school interns: high school diploma or full-time enrollment in high school, must be over 16. If under 18 will need parent or guardian permission to volunteer.
Candidates with accreditations earned in a foreign institute are encouraged to apply.
Note: Per Metro Ordinance No. SO94-1078. All employees of the Metropolitan Government shall be residents of the State of Tennessee or become residents of the state within six (6) months of employment as a prerequisite to employment with the Metropolitan Government.
Full-time, Civil Service positions -
10 Vacation Days per year (increasing after 5 years of service)
1 Sick Day per month
12 Paid Holidays per year
Public Safety - Sworn and Civilian positions -
20 vacation days per year
3 Personal days per year
1 Sick Day per month
12 paid holidays per year
Part-time, Non Civil Service positions - Visit HR and Benefits webpages for more information.
Full-time, Non Civil Service positions - contact hiring department for benefits information
Seasonal/Temporary positions - no benefits offered.
01
I am eligible for a supervised practice license (must have completed at least 1/2 of required credits towards obtaining J.D. - see https://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/docs/rule_7_section_10.03qa06122017.pdf)

• Yes
• No

02
Have applied for an internship in the past?

• Yes
• No

03
If yes, which semester?

• Summer
• Spring
• Fall
• Not Applicable

Required Question