Employment Opportunities

Traditional Unit Intern Information

This office utilizes volunteer interns. Typically, our interns are current law school students or recent law school graduates. We do not have any paid internships. If you are interested in an unpaid intern position, please submit a resume and a letter of interest to Administrative Assistant Adriana Limon by e-mail at adriana_limon@fd.org or mail your resume and letter to her at 300 Convent Street, Suite 2300, San Antonio, Texas 78205.

Capital Habeas Unit Intern Information

The Capital Habeas Unit (CHU) is located in Austin, one block south of the Texas Capitol building. The CHU represents death-sentenced individuals in federal habeas proceedings and related state court proceedings across the State of Texas, and hosts unpaid internships and fellowships for law students, social work students, and recent law graduates throughout the year. Internships are expected to last eight- to ten- weeks, and fellowships can last up to a year.

Through an interdisciplinary team approach, interns will:

• Receive thorough training on all stages and facets of post-conviction litigation;
• Improve their research skills through focused research projects;
• Improve their writing through drafting and editing motions, memoranda, and briefs;
• Develop investigative skills through assisting mitigation specialists and expert fact investigators;
• Contribute to litigation strategy during team meetings;
• Learn critical skills for interacting with clients;
• Experience the meaning of zealous, client-centered, holistic advocacy. 

Though the positions are unpaid, interns are free to seek outside funding through work-study or public-interest programs, as well as class hours or other applicable credit at their schools. Please apply electronically, send a cover letter, resume, writing sample (no longer than 25 pages), and unofficial transcript addressed to Maureen Scott Franco, Federal Public Defender for the Western District of Texas, care of Adriana_limon@fd.org. 

The CHU considers applications on a rolling basis until positions are filled. The CHU is no longer accepting internship applications for Summer 2026.

The Federal Public Defender is an equal-opportunity employer.

For more employment opportunities, try US Courts Job Vacancies or Defender Services Employment.