EXTERNSHIPS (Unpaid)

​The Law Clerk (Extern) will work closely under the supervision of staff attorneys in all aspects of representing St. John the Baptist Defender Office, including legal research and analysis, assist with trial preparation, assist in client and witness interviews, assist in court room proceedings, fact investigation, drafting motions, briefs, memoranda and reports, developing service plans, preparing for hearings, and litigation. Law clerks may also assist in special community reform projects through research, education, investigation, and the preparation of briefs and proposals. Law clerks are required to abide by the P.D.O. confidentiality policy, and to act always according to the expressed interests of our clients. This is a fall/spring externship program which will run “joint and successively” with the perspective, law school semester. With the concurrence of all parties, the externship may extend to the next semester and beyond into a paid opportunity. ​

QUALIFICATIONS:    

2L/3L Law Student with enrollment of the externship program

2.75 GPA or greater

Proficiency operating LexisNexis and Westlaw

Advanced legal writing abilities; i.e. experience composing legal memos and motions​

Preferred: successful participation in the Criminal Law Clinic, or experience with another District Public Defender Office

Note: Law clerk (externship) positions are unpaid.  However, we still strive to assist clerks in obtaining funds or academic credits from their perspective law school as compensation. 

TO APPLY:  Send your letter of interest and qualified resume to Fontella Baker - ffbaker@stjohnpdo.org 

Onsite interviews will be conducted mid-August. If selected for an interview, you will be required to bring proof of your externship enrollment, along with an unofficial transcript. 

​ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST PUBLIC DEFENDER​

INTERNSHIPS (Unpaid)

​​LAW SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP PROJECT (FELLOWSHIP) (Paid) 

The St. John the Baptist Public Defender Office is a proud partner of Gideon's Promise and the Law School Partnership Project (LSPP).  The LSPP is a three-year fellowship that provides recent law school graduates committed to a career in public defense with continuing legal education (C.L.E.) training and guaranteed permanent ​employment in a partner public defense office upon program completion.  For more information about Gideon's Promise and to apply to the Law School Partnership Project, please click the link below. 

The Legal Intern will work closely with the staff, investigators and attorneys of the St. John the Baptist Public Defender Office. The legal intern will be expected to conducting legal research analysis for assigned attorneys, review discovery, organize case files, draft briefs, memoranda and reports, attend court proceedings, file documents with the Clerk of Court, correspond with clients through intake calls and gather information and other documentation. 

QUALIFICATIONS

1L (Rising 2L)  Law Student or (other Graduate Student)
2.75 GPA or greater
Proficiency operating LexisNexis and Westlaw

Legal writing and research skills 

Note: Legal Internship positions are unpaid. This opportunity is offered for 1L Student in the SUMMER only. All other graduate students may apply in the Fall, Spring or Summer.  After successfully completion of the internship program, we will urge the legal intern to apply to our externship program.

TO APPLY:  Send your letter of interest and qualified resume to: Fontella Baker- ffbaker@stjohnpdo.org 

Onsite interviews will be conducted after each candidate is screened based on qualifications. If selected for an interview, you will be required to submit an unofficial transcript. 

VOLUNTEER PROGRAM FOR LAWYERS (PRO BONO)

We understand there are many lawyers with limited courtroom experience, or limited experience within the field of Criminal Defense. There are also lawyers with an interest in transforming Public Criminal Defense. Therefore, the St. John the Baptist Public Defender Office would like to offer an opportunity for lawyers to serve our client's pro-bono and earn CLE Credits from the Louisiana State Bar Association (LSBA).  This opportunity will require licensed lawyers to handle assigned Adult or Juvenile Misdemeanor and Felony, Child in Need of Care (CINC), Child Support and/or Drug Court cases , based on skill, until the matters are resolved in District Court. The St. John Public Defender volunteer lawyers are the only volunteers who are allowed to handle their own caseload and try cases. 

QUALIFICATIONS

Graduate of an accredited law school 

Active license to practice law in the state of Louisiana

If you are interested in becoming a volunteer lawyer with our office, send your resume to:

Fontella Baker - ffbaker@stjohnpdo.org

Note: Onsite interviews will be conducted after each candidate is screened based on qualifications.