Interns, Externs & Volunteer Opportunities

The Nashville Defender’s Office offers internship opportunities for interested students throughout the year. Although our internship positions are unpaid, students have significant opportunities for growth and professional development in the challenging yet supportive educational environment we create. We hope our interns will leave our program with a thorough understanding of our client-centered indigent defense practice and practical skills they can apply in the future. We accept a limited number of student interns during the school year and run a formal internship program every summer.

Law student interns, under the supervision of an Assistant Public Defender, may conduct client interviews, research and write legal memoranda, investigate cases, interview witnesses, observe negotiations with the District Attorney, and observe other court proceedings. Students who have a limited practice license pursuant to Tenn. Sup. Ct. Rule 7, § 10.03 also have the opportunity to directly represent clients in court proceedings under the supervision of an Assistant Public Defender.

When possible, we enjoy hosting college and high school student volunteers. Our student volunteers have the opportunity to work with our Investigators, Social Services teams, or Communications, and perform more of the clerical functions within the office. If interested, student volunteers may also have opportunities to learn from and shadow attorneys in court. Students must be 16 or older to volunteer.

Want to intern or volunteer with us? Your first step is to start your portal application.
Please read the following application process timelines and instructions carefully. Reminder: All applications must be completed via the portal links below by the stated dates. If a portal link is active, we are accepting applications.

Semester Intern Hiring: Timeline and Process
We will interview and accept a small number of law students and, when capacity allows, undergraduate or high school volunteers for the fall and the spring semesters. Students should submit their applications through the portal. Links will be active as follows:
• May 1 – July 31 (Fall internships)
• September 1 – December 1 (Spring internships)

Summer Intern Hiring: Timeline and Process
We have two phases of hiring for our summer internship program. The process for each is detailed below:

Early Summer Decision
September 1 through October 10
We will interview and accept a small number of law students for our summer class during the fall semester. Students applying through the Early Decision process should submit their applications through the portal link between September 1 and October 10. Interviews will be conducted and offers extended for a limited number of spots by early November. Early Decision applicants must accept or decline any offer made before December.
Applicants who are not selected during the Early Decision process may choose to be considered during the Regular Decision process in the spring.

Regular Summer Decision
September 1 through February 27
All other applications for law students and undergraduate/high school students will be considered during the Regular Decision process. Students may submit their applications through the portal links at any time between September 1 and February 27. Applicants who are selected for interviews will be notified and scheduled to interview during the month of March.

All current Intern opportunities are OPEN below.

We are currently seeking interns for SPRING 2026 and SUMMER 2026.
Please use the active links below and follow the instructions to apply.

All applications for SPRING 2026 positions must be completed via the portal links below, no later than Dec. 1, 2025
All applications for Summer 2026 positions must be completed via the portal links below by October 10, 2025 (Early Decision) or February 27, 2026 (Regular Decision).   

Reminder 3Ls – If you are interested in a full-time attorney position after graduation, you may apply anytime through this Metro Nashville Hiring portal link: Assistant Public Defender Position.

Additional questions?
You may email general inquiries to the Human Resources Department, Metropolitan Nashville Public Defender: pdhumanresources@jisnashville.gov

Requirements

2nd-year law students
Minimum Requirements
• College degree
• Must have completed at least 3 semesters of law school
• Must qualify for supervised practice license through TN Supreme Court
(details here: https://www.tncourts.gov/sites/default/files/docs/rule_7_section_10.03qa06122017.pdf)
Position Requirements
• Summer position: Full-time (40 hrs/week)
• Fall and Spring positions: Part-time (8 – 12 hrs/week)

1st-year law students
Minimum Requirements
• College degree)
• Must have completed at least 1 semester of law school)
Position Requirements
• Summer position: Full-time (40 hrs/week)
• Fall and Spring positions: Part-time (8 – 12 hrs/week)

Undergrad / High School
Minimum Requirements
• 16 years of age or older
• If under 18 years old, written parent/guardian permission is required due to the challenging and mature subject matter of our work
• High school diploma or full-time enrollment in high school
Position Requirements
• Summer position: Full-time (40 hrs/week) or Part-time (8 – 12 hrs/week)

• Fall and Spring positions, when available: Part-time (8 – 12 hrs/week)

Reminder: All applications must be completed via the portal links provided by the stated dates. If the portal link is active, we are accepting applications.