Purpose. Dignity. Action. Legal Internship/Externship (Winter/Spring 2025)
Organization Description
Purpose. Dignity. Action. (PDA—formerly Public Defender Association) is a non- profit organization that promotes public safety system reform and develops alternatives to the existing criminal legal system. Rather than the existing punishment model that enforces a racial hierarchy and frequently perpetuates harm, PDA advocates for solutions grounded in individual and community health and safety. PDA advances its mission through several core programs and policy initiatives and programs, including: Let Everyone Advance with Dignity (LEAD) Program, Voices of Community Activists and Leaders-Washington (VOCAL-WA), Co-LEAD, and JustCARE. More information about PDA can be found at WeArePDA.org.
Position Description
A legal intern/extern would work with the LEAD Legal Services team, which provides widely varied legal representation to participants in the LEAD program. Common practice areas include family law, reentry issues, immigration representation, and warrant quash assistance. The legal team is committed to providing LEAD participants with high-quality representation in any legal matter that poses a roadblock to their success. Legal services are provided through the principles of harm-reduction—meeting clients where they are, in a way that is responsive to their specific needs.
The intern/extern with the Legal Team will work under the supervision of a LEAD Legal attorney to research and write legal memoranda, engage in individual representation of clients, and assist in the preparation of filings for ongoing litigation. Past intern projects include but are not limited to–writing on amicus briefs supporting legal aid coalitions; interviewing, strategizing, briefing, and representing clients in court hearings; writing full motions with the supervision of a staff attorney; and preparing for discovery, filing, and other aspects of litigation.
COVID-19 Vaccination
PDA has a mandatory COVID-19 vaccination requirement for all staff, unless they meet specific exceptions under PDA’s COVID-19 Vaccination Policy.
Qualifications
• Completion of at least one year of law school by the start of the internship.
• Excellent legal research and writing skills.
• Strong ability to work collaboratively.
• Strong interest in criminal legal system reform and addressing the racially disparate impacts of mass incarceration.
• Demonstrated cultural competence and sensitivity in working with diverse clients, communities, and colleagues.
• Desire to support individual client representation.
• Desire to work with individuals with mental illness, substance use disorder, and other disabilities
Deadlines
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until 11/15/2024
Funding
PDA is committed to ensuring that legal intern/externships are available to all law students. We are particularly interested in working with law students from backgrounds that are underrepresented in the legal profession. If funding is an issue and other sources are not available, PDA may be able to bring legal intern/externs on as temporary employees in order to ensure equity of opportunities.
How to Apply
Please apply by submitting a resume as well as a cover letter, legal writing sample, and list of two references through the PDA hiring portal at: https://workforcenow.adp.com/mascsr/default/mdf/recruitment/recruitment.html?cid=12f279bd-b388-46c1-85c0-18bb5c4b2415&ccId=19000101_000001&lang=en_US (applicants will need to upload ALL application materials through the portal – look for the prompt that says “Make your application stronger by uploading documents...”)
Applications will not be considered until they are complete. Please direct any questions to LEAD Legal Services Director, Skylar Brett, at skylar.brett@wearepda.org.
