The PDS Legal Clerkship Program allows law students to assist attorneys in all aspects of case preparation. PDS offers approximately 25 law clerk positions each semester and summer. Responsibilities include:
- Perform legal and case-preparation research
- Draft motions
- Interview incarcerated and institutionalized clients
- Represent juveniles and adults in institutional disciplinary hearings
- Respond to inmate letter requests for legal assistance
- Prepare pre-trial motions
- Attend trial, parole hearings, and appellate arguments
We strongly prefer second and third-year law students, although those first-year students with relevant pre-law experience are encouraged to apply. During the summer we host a weeklong substantive training class as well as a trial advocacy skills building series taught by experienced trial attorneys.
PDS no longer accepts split summers, and requires that all law clerks commit to the full 10-week program. Law clerkships must be 40 hours per week during the summer and at least 15 hours per week during the academic year.