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Public Defender Intern Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

PhRMA

Fall Internship, Public Affairs

Washington, DC · On-site

$25 - $35/hr

The intern will broadly assist members of the Public Affairs Department and work with multiple teams. PhRMA's Public Affairs department is responsible for building, advancing, and defending the ...

American Oversight

Counsel/Senior Counsel

Washington, DC · On-site

$158K - $214K/yr

... public's right to government records. We use multiple tools, backed by aggressive litigation, to ... As assigned, on a rotating basis, manage AO's legal intern program, including hiring, supervision ...

American Oversight

Counsel/Senior Counsel

Washington, DC · On-site

$157K - $213K/yr

... public's right to government records. We use multiple tools, backed by aggressive litigation, to ... As assigned, on a rotating basis, manage AO's legal intern program, including hiring, supervision ...

AARP

Intake Specialist

Washington, DC · On-site

$20 - $27/hr

... defending, protecting, and helping thousands of clients each year in many areas of civil law. The ... District Public Notary a plus. Additional Requirements * Regular and reliable job attendance

AARP

Intake Specialist

Washington, DC · On-site

$29.81/hr

... defending, protecting, and helping thousands of clients each year in many areas of civil law. The ... District Public Notary a plus. Additional Requirements * Regular and reliable job attendance

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Public Defender Intern information

What does a public defender intern do?

A Public Defender Intern assists public defenders in providing legal representation to individuals who cannot afford private attorneys, usually in criminal cases. Interns may conduct legal research, draft motions and briefs, observe court proceedings, and help prepare case files. They often work closely with attorneys and clients, gaining hands-on experience in criminal defense law. This role provides valuable exposure to the court system and helps interns develop practical legal skills under supervision.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a public defender intern?

To thrive as a Public Defender Intern, you need a solid understanding of criminal law, legal research, and case preparation, often supported by enrollment in or completion of law school coursework. Familiarity with legal research databases like Westlaw or LexisNexis, and proficiency in drafting legal documents, are typically required. Strong communication, empathy, and resilience are standout soft skills for working with diverse clients and navigating challenging legal environments. These abilities are crucial for providing effective defense, supporting attorneys, and ensuring fair legal representation for clients.

What is the difference between Public Defender Intern vs Public Defender Associate?

AspectPublic Defender InternPublic Defender Associate
Required CredentialsLaw student or recent graduate, often in internship programsLicensed attorney with bar admission
Work EnvironmentInternship setting, supervised by attorneys, limited responsibilitiesFull-time legal practice, handling cases independently under supervision
Employer & Industry UsageGovernment agencies, law schools, legal clinicsPublic defender offices, government legal departments
Common Search & ComparisonOften searched by students or interns exploring career pathsCompared by those seeking full-time public defense roles

In summary, a Public Defender Intern is typically a law student or recent graduate gaining experience through internships, while a Public Defender Associate is a licensed attorney actively practicing in public defense roles. The intern position is more educational and supervised, whereas the associate handles cases independently within the public defender office.

What are the most commonly searched types of Public Defender jobs in Washington? The most popular types of Public Defender jobs in Washington are:
What are popular job titles related to Public Defender Intern jobs in Washington? For Public Defender Intern jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Public Defender Intern jobs in Washington look for? The top searched job categories for Public Defender Intern jobs in Washington are:
What cities in Washington are hiring for Public Defender Intern jobs? Cities in Washington with the most Public Defender Intern job openings:
Public Defender Intern jobs near you
Infographic showing various Public Defender Intern job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 81% Full Time, 14% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution.

Fall Internship, Public Affairs

Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America

Washington, DC • On-site

$25 - $35/hr

Other

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

Overview
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) is seeking an internship candidate to support Public Affairs Department initiatives, activities and priorities at our Washington, D.C. Headquarters office. The intern will broadly assist members of the Public Affairs Department and work with multiple teams.
Department Description:
PhRMA's Public Affairs department is responsible for building, advancing, and defending the organization's public profile, and for supporting advocacy efforts on federal, state, and international public policy issues. Activities include:
  • Media relations and social media engagement.
  • Reputation management.
  • Message development and opinion research.
  • Video and digital production.
  • Support and message alignment for member companies.
A successful candidate will gain experience across a wide range of skill sets. Examples include media relations, advocacy communications, paid, social & digital media, polling & research, and internal communications. The intern will have the opportunity to work on issues related to health care, prescription drug costs, the pharmaceutical supply chain, research and development, and others.
This is a paid position. This internship will run from September 16th to December 11th, 2026, and the intern will work up to 37.5 hours per week for a 3-month term.
Responsibilities
The intern's responsibilities may include:
  • Participating in writing and editing messaging and communications materials, including blog posts and other digital promotional pieces, op-eds, press releases, talking points, presentations and other materials.
  • Supporting the ongoing development and execution of paid media campaigns.
  • Researching legislation, policy issues, and tracking legislative and political activity.
  • Drafting weekly updates, reports, correspondence and slide decks.
  • Providing support for meetings, including gathering and assembling information.
  • Attending internal meetings, coordinating with staff to develop agendas, and ensuring proper follow-up and output, including meeting summaries.
  • Performing other duties as assigned.

Requirements:
  • Current undergraduate or graduate student in Communications, Political Science, Government Affairs, Legislative Affairs, Public Policy, or Public Health with an interest in health/life sciences policy and politics.
  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
  • Exceptional organizational and project management skills.
  • Strong desire to build relationships/collaboration skills.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to strategically and creatively process information.
  • Curious to stay abreast of media industry trends.
  • Ability to manage and complete projects end to end in a timely manner.
Potential Salary
  • $25 - $35 per hour, based on the level of the degree program.

Who we are
The Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA) represents the country's leading innovative biopharmaceutical research companies, which are laser focused on developing innovative medicines that transform lives and create a healthier world. Together, we are fighting for solutions to ensure patients can access and afford medicines that prevent, treat and cure disease. Over the last decade, PhRMA member companies have invested more than $850 billion in the search for new treatments and cures, and they support nearly five million jobs in the United States.
Connect with PhRMA
For information on how innovative medicines save lives, please visit:
www.PhRMA.org
www.Innovation.org
www.Americasmedicines.org
www.Facebook.com/PhRMA
www.Twitter.com/PhRMA
Equal Opportunity Employer
PhRMA provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family responsibilities, genetic information, disability, matriculation, political affiliation or veteran status in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment.
The job description contains an overview of the activities and duties for this role. Responsibilities may change and new ones may be assigned at any time.

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