DU/CU Public Interest & Government Career FairApplication Guide

On November 1, 2017,33 public interest and government employers will be on DU’s campus, interviewing 2Ls and 3Ls for 35 intern, extern, and post-graduate positions. This is a great opportunity to interview for opportunities in public service!

Applications are due September 27th!!!

This guide will tell you about who’s coming to interview! Take a look and get your applications in as soon as possible!

Table of Contents

Click below to move to any of the listed sections or employer postings.

Finding Career Fair Jobs in Symplicity

Criminal Prosecution

17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office (Adams and Broomfield Counties)

18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office (Arapahoe, Douglas, Lincoln and Elbert Counties)

2nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office (Denver County)

20th Judicial District Attorney’s Office (Boulder)

Colorado District Attorney’s Counsel

Criminal Defense

Above Waters Project

Federal Public Defender Colorado

Federal Public Defender for the Northern District of Texas

Office of the Municipal Public Defender, City of Denver

The Office of Alternate Defense Counsel

State and Local Government Employers

Office of the Attorney General, Department of Law

Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT)

Colorado PERA

Office of Administrative Courts

Denver City Attorney’s Office

Denver Water

Jefferson County Attorney’s Office

State Senator Irene Aguilar

Federal Government Employers

U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission

Marine Corps Officer Programs

U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Nonprofits and Other Organizations

ACLU of Colorado

Colorado Education Association

Metro Volunteer Lawyers

National Association of Counsel for Children (NACC)

Rocky Mountain Victim Law Center

Sierra Club

WildEarth Guardians

How to Apply

Click this link to see a list of these career fair jobs in Symplicity:

Finding Career Fair Jobs in Symplicity

Simply click this link to see a list of all career fair jobs:

If the link is not working for you for some reason, here is a way to search for the career fair opportunities:

  1. Log in
  2. Go to Jobs and Resume Collection (left hand side)
  3. Go to DU Law Careers Online Jobs (left hand side)
  4. To the right of the red search button, click “Advanced Search”
  5. Under “position type” select “CU/DU Fair Posting”
  6. Hit Search!
  7. You will see a list of the 31 positions available for on campus interviews.

Criminal Prosecution

The below employers will be interviewing on campus on November 1—Applications due Sept 27th!

17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office (Adams and Broomfield Counties)

  1. Appellate Extern/Intern, Fall 2017 or Summer 2018 (Job #15580)

Are you interested in the appellate side of criminal law? Would you like to experience working for a District Attorney's Office and writing actual appellate briefs that will be filed with the Court of Appeals? Consider applying for our Appellate Internship program. In addition to writing actual briefs on cases, you will also be paired up with our County Court team to do trial work, as time allows. This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in going into criminal law.

  1. Trial Attorney Extern/Intern, Spring, Summer, or Fall 2018 (Job #15653)

Are you interested in being a trial attorney? Does public service appeal to you? Do you care about seeking justice for all people in the criminal justice system, including victims of crime and the defendants who are charged with crimes? If you answered yes to any of these questions, consider applying for an internship with the District Attorney’s Office for Adams and Broomfield Counties.

Our internship program places law students directly in the courtroom, where they get hands on experience working with Deputy District Attorneys and have face-to-face interactions with criminal defendants, defense attorneys, and victims of crime. Legal interns are given the unique opportunity to conduct actual jury trials, as well as to engage in motions hearings, court trials and direct plea negotiations with criminal defendants and their attorneys. Interns are mentored by Deputy District Attorneys and have the opportunity to build relationships with senior members of the District Attorney’s Office, as well as judges, police officers and other members of the legal profession.

18th Judicial District Attorney’s Office (Arapahoe, Douglas, Lincoln and Elbert Counties)

  1. Trial Court Internship/Externship, Spring, Summer, Fall 2018(#15581)
  1. Appellate Internship/Externship, Summer and Fall, 2018 (#15582)

We are seeking law student interns to work in the County Court, District Court, and Appeals sections of the District Attorney's Office. For County Court internships, applicants must be SPA eligible. District Court and Appeals interns do not require SPA eligibility, but must possess strong research and writing skills and an interest in criminal justice. All applicants must possess a strong commitment to public service, and be able to pass a criminal background check.

2nd Judicial District Attorney’s Office (Denver County)

  1. Intern/Extern in the Behavior Health Unit (#15589)

The position will include court appearances, arguing bonds at first and second advisement, helping to manage dockets in Denver's drug court, and reviewing cases for filling decisions.

  1. County Court Internship/Externship (#15662)

Our County Court division utilizes law students each academic semester and during the summer. These internships provide exposure to courtroom tasks, and may require formal certification under the Colorado Student Practice Act.

  1. Legal Intern/Extern in Family Violence Unit (#15590)

Internship in the unit that addresses Domestic Violence and Crimes against Children.

20thJudicial District Attorney’s Office (Boulder)

  1. Intern/Extern, Spring or Summer 2018 (#15585)

The Boulder County District Attorney's Office is looking for qualified externs who want real courtroom experience and the opportunity to work on the prosecution of major cases. We prosecute all state criminal charges arising in Boulder County. We handle all stages of criminal cases and are frequently in court, including conducting dozens of jury trials per year. We have over thirty attorneys on staff who handle felonies, misdemeanor and traffic cases, appeals, and community protection.Externs must commit to at least two days (or partial days) per week, and we prefer morning availability. Externs’ responsibilities include, but are not limited to, making offers and meeting with defendants and attorneys at arraignments and jail, legal writing and research assignments, and general support of the prosecution of criminal cases at motions, trial, and on appeal. Students authorized to appear under the Student Practice Act will try cases to juries, and enter appearances to argue bond, present plea agreements, argue sentences, and conduct contested motions hearings.Additionally, externs will have the opportunity to sit in on attorneys’ strategy sessions in both misdemeanor and felony cases, observe trials, and participate in trainings. Commensurate with the requirements for externship credit and under the guidance of a supervising attorney, the extern will complete at least one substantive writing assignment in a pending case that will be submitted to the court.

Colorado District Attorney’s Counsel

  1. Extern/Intern, Spring or Summer 2018 (#15587)

The Colorado District Attorney's Council (CDAC) is an organization that represents the 22 Elected District Attorneys in the State of Colorado and the approximately 600+ appointed Deputy District Attorneys who work for them. CDAC provides: 1) prosecutorial and law enforcement-related training services to DA's offices, law enforcement agencies and other criminal justice entities; 2) database management services for prosecutors; and 3) policy analysis and legislative advocacy on behalf of DAs as it pertains to criminal justice issues. CDAC maintains a close working relationship with every DA's office in Colorado.

CDAC is offering Internship opportunities (Spring Semester 2018- first priority; Summer Semester 2018 - second priority) to 2nd or 3rd year law students to assist the organization in meeting its goals and objectives. Interns at CDAC will generally assist staff attorneys and program directors with legal research-related activities, desktop publishing and database management of legal resources and publications, obtain exposure to strategic-level issues related to the legislative process and the prosecution of criminal cases, and in-depth exposure to specific subject areas such as: domestic violence and sex-assault prosecutions; DUI prosecution and enforcement; juvenile and elder law issues; appellate issues; and other general prosecutorial activities.

Specifically, the interns at CDAC will be expected to provide support to the Executive Director and several Staff Attorneys in the following possible areas: 1) completion of the publication of several resource manuals and guides (e.g., Peace Officers Sourcebook, expert witness database; trial evidence manual); 2) research of emerging trends and criminal justice legal issues; 3) preparation of marketing materials, assistance to multiple organizational Working Groups, and Dept. of Justice (DOJ) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) grant programs; 4) assistance in the preparation and delivery of prosecutorial training activities; 5) legislative advocacy; and 5) other project-specific duties that may be assigned (e.g., amicus curiae briefs). The Internship opportunities offered are unpaid. An externship program can be discussed if a student wishes to receive academic credit.

Criminal Defense

The below employers will be interviewing on campus on November 1—Applications due Sept 27th!

Above Waters Project

  1. Externship/Internship, Spring 2018 (#15583)

The Mission of the Above Waters Project is to support and protect those currently and formerly incarcerated within the US penal system. We understand that grave injustice exists within this "justice" system and are thus committed both to ending such injustice as well as helping smooth the transition of our incarcerated brothers & sisters back into society. Whether through data collection and dissemination, policy change, informal advocacy, or otherwise, we fight for justice and dignity for all people.

Federal Public Defender Colorado

  1. Extern/Intern, Spring or Summer 2018 (#15593)

The Office of the Federal Public Defender for the Districts of Colorado and Wyoming provides indigent defendants with quality legal representation at all stages of litigation for offenses ranging from petty misdemeanors to serious felony offenses. The Denver and Cheyenne offices are staffed with Assistant Federal Public Defenders who work in either the trial or the appellate section, as well as investigators, paralegals, or support personnel. Typical caseloads include misdemeanors, felonies, probation revocations, and appeals to the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit and the United States Supreme Court.

The Defender office in both Denver and Cheyenne offer a limited number of non-salaried internships during the summer months, as well as during the fall and spring semester. Each intern will receive hands-on experience in the preparation of various stages of a client’s defense. An intern may research legal issues, draft motions and memoranda, and otherwise assist in trial preparation. Interns may also work with the Defender’s appellate attorneys. These interns will collaborate on briefs to the circuit court, certiorari petitions, and merit briefs to the Supreme Court.

A supervisory attorney will monitor intern assignments in each office, however, interns should expect to work with one or more of the attorneys during their placement. Summer interns are expected to work forty hours (40) per week in either five-to-six week blocks (for those who split their summer internships) or ten-to-twelve week blocks. School year interns are typically asked to commit to a minimum of fifteen (15) hours per week.

All internships are unpaid, there is no promise of future employment for participation, and applicants must have competed two (2) years at an accredited law school to be considered.

Federal Public Defender for the Northern District of Texas

  1. Intern/Extern, Spring or Summer 2018 (#15643)

The Office of the Federal Public Defender for the Northern District of Texas provides indigent defendants with high-quality legal representation at all stages of litigation for offenses ranging from petty misdemeanors to capital murder. The Federal Defender provides attorney representation, investigative support, expert witness testimony, and any other needed legal services.

The Federal Defender’s offices in Dallas, Fort Worth, Lubbock, and Amarillo are staffed with Assistant Federal Public Defenders (AFPDs), investigators, paralegals, and various support personnel. The AFPDs handle caseloads consisting of misdemeanors, felonies, probation revocations, and appeals to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and the United States Supreme Court. In addition, the Capital Habeas Unit represents defendants who have: (1) been sentenced to death in state court proceedings; and (2) entered federal court to complain of federal constitutional violations in those state-court proceedings.

Each Defender office employs a limited number of non-salaried interns/externs (“interns”) who will receive hands-on experience in the preparation of various stages of a client’s defense. An intern may research legal issues, draft motions and memoranda, and otherwise assist with trial preparation (to include investigating, interviewing witnesses, and strategizing with trial counsel). Interns who demonstrate requisite analytical skills and availability may also work with the Defender’s appellate attorneys. These interns will collaborate on briefs to the circuit court and on certiorari petitions and merits briefs to the Supreme Court. They will also assist with oral argument preparation. Subject to approval, some interns may elect to do both trial and appellate work. Capital Habeas interns assist with legal research, investigating factual claims, and drafting habeas petitions and responses.

While each office will have a supervisory attorney to monitor intern assignments and progress in each office, interns will work with one or more AFPDs. Subject to the Defender’s needs, some interns may even collaborate with attorneys from other offices.

Summer interns are expected to work approximately forty hours (40) per week in either six-week blocks (for those who split their summer) or eight-to-ten-week blocks. Summer/Full-time externs–students who receive academic credit in exchange for a minimum number of hours worked–will arrange their respective schedules with the office’s Extern Coordinator. Interns/externs will be selected on the basis of past work or school experience and performance, the desire to work in the Federal Defender’s offices, a demonstrated level of maturity and competence, and the level of commitment toward indigent defense. While any law student may apply, second-year and (first semester) third-year students generally fare the best. But, because the Federal Defender has hired 1L students and anticipates continuing to do so, “rising 2L” students are welcome to apply.

Office of the Municipal Public Defender, City of Denver

  1. Extern/Intern, Spring, Summer, or Fall 2018 (#15663)

The Denver Office of the Municipal Public Defender's primary focus is to provide comprehensive legal representation to defendants who face jail time for violating municipal ordinances or traffic offenses in the Denver County Court System. Our office has been in operation since January 1, 2015 and is overseen by the City's Chief Municipal Public Defender. The creation of this office ensures that the City and County of Denver is on the same level with other progressive municipalities providing quality in-house Public Defense services for indigent citizens.

The Chief Municipal Public Defender is seeking unpaid interns. Interns will gain experience in the courtrooms and supplement the scope of their legal education. Interns will gain experience in public defense.

The Office of Alternate Defense Counsel

  1. Legal Researcher, Spring, Summer, or Fall 2018 (#15603)

OADC provides representation for indigent defendants, through contract attorneys, when the Public Defender is unable to represent the client due to a conflict. OADC is looking for students who can assist OADC contracting attorneys by providing legal research, motions drafting, meeting with clients and any other duties as needed to provide the clients with the most effective and efficient representation.

State and Local Government Employers

The below employers will be interviewing on campus on November 1—Applications due Sept 27th!

Office of the Attorney General, Department of Law

  1. Extern/Intern, Spring, Summer, or Fall 2018 (#15661)

The Department of Law for the Colorado Attorney General's office is the chief legal counsel to all state agencies and serves the people of the State by enforcing state statutes and regulations. The Department of Law further provides legal services related to consumer protection laws, prosecuting criminal appeals, protecting our natural resources and environment. As one of the largest law practices in the State of Colorado, our law practice is diverse and rewarding.

We are organized into the following practice areas: Office of the Attorney General, Business & Licensing, Civil Litigation and Employment, Consumer Protection, Criminal Appeals, Criminal Justice, Natural Resources and Environment, Revenue and Utilities, and State Services. Each of these sections utilizes law students to draft pleadings or briefs, assist in discovery and trial preparation, conduct research, interview witnesses, assist in regulatory functions and draft transactional documents. We involve interns in the everyday experiences of Assistant Attorneys General.

Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT)

  1. Part or Full Time Intern/Extern, Spring or Summer 2018 (#15586)

Part or Full Time Externship with the Colorado Dept. of Transportation Office of Procurement and Contract Services, which actively supports CDOT’s goals by acquiring essential goods and services in a fair, reasonable and timely manner while operating within state and federal rules and regulations.