DENVER CO 80202
About the Colorado State Public Defender
Colorado’s Office of the State Public Defender (OSPD) maintains a reputation as one of the top organizations in the nation specializing in the delivery of indigent criminal defense. We operate as an independent agency within the Judicial Branch of Colorado State Government with nearly 1,000 dedicated employees assigned to twenty-one Regional Trial Offices, a centralized Appellate Division, and a centralized Administrative Office. The mission of OSPD is to defend and protect the rights, liberties and dignity of those accused of crimes who cannot afford to retain counsel. We do so by providing constitutionally and statutorily mandated representation that is effective, zealous, inspired and compassionate. We seek to hire professionals who are dedicated to furthering our mission and demonstrate compassion in their service to our clients. We are a fast paced, team-oriented environment, where self-motivation and a personal commitment to high performance are important attributes for success.
Job Description
Interns in the Appellate Division work under the supervision of the Intern Coordinator on appellate cases. Responsibilities include reviewing the record, identifying potential appellate issues, conducting legal research, and drafting opening briefs.
The Appellate Division is accepting applications for two Summer 2027 internship positions:
- One paid position: $1,890.92 biweekly
- One unpaid position
The internship is expected to begin after Memorial Day 2027 and last approximately twelve weeks.
Requirements
Qualified applicants must possess excellent research and writing skills and have successfully completed courses in:
- Criminal law
- Criminal procedure
- Evidence
Applicants must have completed their second year of law school.
Position Pages
Learn more about this role beyond the specific opening, including typical responsibilities, training, and how the position supports our clients and offices across Colorado.
How to Apply
Application Materials
Please submit the following materials:
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Law School Transcript
- Writing Sample
The writing sample should be the applicant's own work and should not have been substantially edited by another person.
In the cover letter, please indicate:
- Whether you wish to be considered for the unpaid position in addition to the paid position; and
- Whether your law school provides summer public interest funding.
Application Deadline
Applications must be received by Wednesday, September 30, 2026, for consideration.
Interested candidates must apply by email.
Please submit the required application materials to Taylor.Hoy@coloradodefenders.us.
Summary
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
JOB APPLICATION FAIRNESS ACT
Resumes must include dates of employment but, you may redact or remove any information that will identify your age, date of birth or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.
STATEMENT OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION & BELONGING:
OSPD is committed to maintaining a workplace where everyone feels respected, accepted, and valued. With this in mind, we strive to create an inclusive workplace that embraces different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives. We will continuously review our company policies and hiring practices to foster a fair and equitable work culture.
NON-DISCRIMINATION
The Office of the Colorado State Public Defender provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, marital status, or other protected status, in accordance with applicable federal, state and local laws.
Consistent with this commitment, our agency will assist individuals who have a disability with any reasonable accommodation requests related to employment, including the application and selection process.
If you have a disability and require reasonable accommodation, please contact us at ADARequest@coloradodefenders.us.