Student Resources

Interested in a Future Career in Texas Public Defense?

TIDC helps counties improve public defense through public defender offices and managed assigned counsel programs. Whether through a public defense office or as a private attorney handling appointed cases, there is a place for you in public defense.

Public Defender Offices & Managed Assigned Counsel Programs

This map shows which counties are served by offices as of October 2024.

Learn more about each office here: List of Managed Systems in Texas

Apply for a Legal Internship

Legal internships are generally open to current law students only.

If you are a public defense office that would like to add your office to the page or update any of the information on this page, email info@tidc.texas.gov with the office's information.

Atascosa Area Advocates

Available Periods	Spring; Summer; Fall
Experience	Client and witness interviews/meetings; Discovery review; Fact investigation; Research and writing; In-Court time; Trial strategy meetings; Trial preparation and assistance
Training	1-2 weeks of formal training plus external CLE seminars, such as the Rusty Duncan Advanced Criminal Law seminar. Supervisors provide feedback on an ad hoc/needed basis, including a review of all motions by the Chief Public Defender.
Court / Oral Advocacy Experience	Between 25%-40% of their time is spent on this.
Timeline	Applications considered on a rolling basis. Internship applications are accepted at any time.
How to Apply	Reach out to the contact below.
Contact	Chief Public Defender Stephanie Brown, sbrown@co.atascosa.tx.us

Concho Valley Public Defender's Office

Available Periods	Summer; Fall;
Experience	You will be mentored by a seasoned attorney, assisting in felony and misdemeanor defense, plea negotiations, defense courtroom litigation, jury trial preparation, jury trials, and appeals.
Training	Mixture of both formal and informal/ad hoc training.
Timeline	Applications considered as recieved.
How to Apply	Send your resume and cover letter to recruiting@cvpdo.org and address cover letters to Elizabeth Berry, Chief Public Defender.
Contact	recruiting@cvpdo.org

Dallas County Public Defender's Office

Available Periods	Spring; Summer; Fall; Post-Graduation
Experience	Client interviews; Research and writing; Court observation; In-court representation; Identification of social/medical services for clients; Policy
Training	Mixture of both formal and informal/ad hoc training.
Court / Oral Advocacy Experience	Between 25%-35% of their time is spent on this.
Timeline	No specific deadline.
How to Apply	https://www.dallascounty.org/government/public-defender/application.php
Contact	Paul Blocker, Paul.Blocker@dallascounty.org

El Paso County Public Defender's Office

Available Periods	Spring; Summer; Fall; Post-Graduation
Experience	Client interviews; Research and writing; Court observation; Investigation; In-court representation; Mitigation; Identification of social/medical services for clients; Policy; Administrative tasks
Training	No formal training for interns. The intern’s supervisor trains on an ad hoc/needed basis.
Court / Oral Advocacy Experience	Between 25%-35% of their time is spent on this.
How to Apply	https://www.epcounty.com/hr/careers/internships.htm
Contact	Frank Chelly, Fchelly@epcounty.com

Harris County Public Defender's Office

Available Periods	Spring; Summer; Fall; Post-Graduation
Experience	Research and writing; Court observation; Administrative tasks; Interns observe all aspects of our work, but they have no primary responsibilities over clients and cases.
Training	No formal training for interns. The intern’s supervisor trains on an ad hoc/needed basis.
Court / Oral Advocacy Experience	Between 25%-35% of their time is spent on this.
Timeline	Rolling deadlines. Summer interns are usually picked in Spring.
How to Apply	https://hcpdo.org/internships/
Contact	Sarah Wood

Office of Capital and Forensic Writs

Available Periods	Spring; Summer; Fall; Post-Graduation
Experience	Research and writing; Court observation; Investigation; Review and digest capital trial records; Visit clients; Interns observe all aspects of our work, but they have no primary responsibilities over clients and cases.
Training	Initial training and orientation. Ongoing supervision by dedicated intern supervisor.
Court / Oral Advocacy Experience	None.
Timeline	Rolling deadlines. Summer interns are usually picked in Fall.
How to Apply	For more information, visit https://ocfw.texas.gov/legal-internship. To be considered, send: a letter of interest and a resume to internship@ocfw.texas.gov.
Contact	Sarah Brandon, internship@ocfw.texas.gov

Regional Public Defender Office for Capital Cases

Available Periods	Spring; Summer
Experience	Client interviews; Research and writing; Court observation; Investigation; Mitigation
Training	Formal training for interns.
Court / Oral Advocacy Experience	None.
Timeline	Begins recruiting in the Fall of the year prior.
How to apply	https://www.rpdo.org/internship/
Contact	Ray Keith, Chief Public Defender, rkeith@rpdo.org

Texas RioGrande Legal Aid Public Defender Program

Available Periods	Spring; Summer; Fall; Post-Graduation
Experience	Client interviews; Research and writing; Court observation; In-court representation; Investigation; Mitigation; Identification of social/medical services for clients; Policy; Administrative tasks
Training	Mixture of both formal training and ad hoc/supervisor training.
Court / Oral Advocacy Experience	Between 35%-50% of their time is spent on this.
Timeline	Fellowships will be posted in February 2023.
How to Apply	https://www.trla.org/student-opportunities
Pay	The law graduate program pays new graduates while they study and take the bar exam. They do not have to report to work until after they take the bar exam. They get paid solely to study and take the test (paid fellowship starting in 2022).
Contact	Adriana Rodriguez, Director of Recruiting for all of TRLA, adrianarodriguez@trla.org

Wichita County Public Defender's Office

Available Periods	Spring; Summer; Fall; Post-Graduation
Experience	Client interviews; Research and writing; Court observation; In-court representation; Investigation; Mitigation; Identification of social/medical services for clients; Policy
Training	No formal training for interns, but supervisors train on an ad hoc/needed basis.
Court / Oral Advocacy Experience	Under 25% of their time is spent on this.
Timeline	Apply anytime.
How to Apply	Reach out to the contacts below.
Contact	David Bost, david.bost@co.wichita.tx.us, Jarret Noll, jarret.noll@co.wichita.tx.us

Texas Indigent Defense Commission

Available Periods	Summer, Remote with Opportunities for In-person Observation
Experience	Research and writing; Policy development; Oral presentations
Training	Initial orientation and training programs. Mixture of both formal and informal/ad hoc training.
Court / Oral Advocacy Experience	None.
Timeline	TIDC may participate in the annual Public Student Career Fair at UT Law and receives applications directly through our form. Interns are considered on a rolling basis. Applications for the Summer 2025 program are due before Monday, March 24th.
How to Apply	Complete this application form.
Pay	Unpaid; UT Law students may receive a stipend subject to TIDC's agreement with UT Law.
Contact	Kristin Meeks, Senior Policy Analyst and Internship Lead, info@tidc.texas.gov

Southern Methodist University, Deason Center Rural Externship Program

Available Periods	Summer (9-week placements)
Experience	Research and writing; Court observation; Client interviews; In-court representation and potential trial experience
Training	Rural criminal practice bootcamp; mixture of formal training and supervisor training.
Court / Oral Advocacy Experience	Depends on student eligibility for Texas student bar card.
Timeline	Begins recruiting in the Fall of the year prior.
How to Apply	This program is not accepting applications at this time. https://www.smu.edu/Law/Centers-and-Initiatives/Deason-Center/Work/Action/Rural-Summer-Externship-Program
Contact	Kenitra Brown, Engagement Director, kenitra@mail.smu.edu

Apply for a Legal Fellowship or Mentorship Program

Legal fellowship and mentorship program are generally open to new law school graduates or lawyers within the their first few years of practice only.

If you are a public defense office that would like to add your office to the page or update any of the information on this page, email info@tidc.texas.gov with the office's information.

Capital Area Private Defender Service

Location	Travis County
Length of Program	Minimum of 2 Years
Types of Cases	Misdemeanor, Felony, or Mental Health
Training	Mentees have mandatory orientation and intensive training in February, followed by 6 months to 1 year of mentoring with a CAPDS panel attorney and staff. They will receive training in trial techniques and strategies, and receive tips and guidance in setting up a criminal law practice. Mentees will also meet for case conferencing and meet regularly with their assigned mentor.
Assigned Cases	Mentees are required to accept a meaningful number of monthly assignments to remain in the program.
Support	Mentees have access to investigators, experts, second-chair assistance, legal research, motions bank, and attorney assistance.
Timeline	Generally, applications open in November, and applications close in December. This year, applications open on November 15, 2023, and are due on December 15, 2023. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Compensation	Attorneys are paid a flat fee per case or hourly for work on the case. Additional pay is available for Spanish speakers. The full fee schedule is available here.
Post-Program Results	After successfully completing the program, mentees will be placed on the corresponding attorney panel.
How to Apply	Apply for the misdemeanor, felony, or mental health mentorship programs here: http://www.capds.org/become-a-mentee.html
Contact	Director of Defense Services and Outreach Katy Jo Muncie, katyjo@capds.org

Harris County Managed Assigned Counsel

Location	Harris County
Length of Program	Minimum of 1 Year
Types of Cases	Misdemeanor
Training	The program will consist of the following: 1. Mandatory in-person initial orientation in the afternoons from January 20 to 24, 2025 2. Monthly group meetings for training and brainstorming 3. Regular court appearances to pick up cases with mentor 4. Regular meetings with mentors to discuss case progress 5. The commitment to attend one intensive trial skills program, or its substantial equivalent
Assigned Cases	Mentees in the program will be able to bill for the time they spend taking new cases and working on existing cases at the same rates as attorneys on the misdemeanor appointment list. However, mentees will have significantly smaller caseloads than list attorneys.
Support	MAC employs social workers, an immigration attorney, a chief investigator, and resource attorneys that all help attorneys provide the best possible representation fortheir clients. The mentorship program makes all these resources accessible for newer attorneys as they start their journey into indigent defense. MAC mentors will serve as second chair for any trials/hearings and will actively seek out opportunities for mentees to sit as second chair with other attorneys.
Timeline	Generally, applications open and close in November. Interviews will beconducted on a rolling basis. The in-person orientation is scheduled for January 19-23, 2026.
Compensation	Mentees in the program will be able to bill for the time they spend taking new cases and working on existing cases at the same rates as attorneys on the misdemeanor appointment list.
Post-Program Results	At the end of the program, mentees can continue with informal mentorship. Depending on their progress during the program, mentees may be eligible for immediate addition to the MAC misdemeanor appointment list.
How to Apply	Interested attorneys can fill out an application found on our website.
Contact	Please email the Misdemeanor and Training Director Natalie Ware at natalie.ware@mac.hctx.net.

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