Internships

• Investigation internship
  • Investigation interns work with our talented team of public defender investigators to gather facts and evidence in support of trial attorneys. Interns may gain hands-on experience locating and interviewing witnesses, reviewing bodycam footage, or otherwise helping to build a strong defense for our clients.
• Paralegal internship
  • Paralegal interns assist SPD attorneys with essential legal and organizational tasks. A day on the job could mean conducting client intake and interviews, performing legal research, or working with attorneys to prepare for trial.
• Client services internship
  • Client services interns help our dedicated team of client services specialists connect clients with the resources they need. These interns will evaluate the social, emotional, and health needs of our clients in order to identify relevant treatment programs and alternatives to sentencing.

Contact our HR department to learn more.

This exciting opportunity offers law students a taste of what life could be like as an assistant public defender. 2L and 3L students are given significant responsibility as they work directly with clients and learn from some of the most experienced attorneys in the state. Many of our law student interns go on to work at the SPD or other top defense firms in Wisconsin.

Paid and unpaid positions are available at all 38 SPD offices across the state. Students can work part-time during the school year or full-time in the summer.

Fill out this form to apply!

Law students can also get involved with the SPD through clinics at both of Wisconsin’s law schools. For more information, contact the University of Wisconsin Law School’s Public Defender Project or Marquette University Law School’s Public Defender Clinic.

Other internships may be available in areas such as:

• Information Technology
• Government and Public Affairs
• Budget and Fiscal Services

Contact our HR department to learn more.