Noncapital Habeas Unit Law Clerk

The Noncapital Habeas Unit (or “NCHU”) of the Federal Public Defender for the Central District represents indigent California inmates who challenge their state-court convictions or sentences in federal habeas corpus cases—often the last chance a person has to challenge their unconstitutional conviction or sentence. If you’re a law student interested in working on these cases, we have unpaid, full-time summer clerkships available.

For ten weeks, NCHU clerks will work closely with case teams at our downtown L.A. office in most every aspect of their work—from investigating and developing the factual bases for our client’s claims, to researching discrete issues in criminal and constitutional law, to drafting claims for federal habeas petitions, to writing sections of appellate briefs. You’ll also get a chance to observe case-management meetings and participate in moots for Ninth Circuit arguments. Through it all, you’ll get both informal training through attorney mentors and more formal training through sessions dedicated to the nuts and bolts of noncapital habeas practice.

Time commitment

Summer NCHU clerks will volunteer 40 hours a week for ten weeks.

Qualifications

Applicants to the program must be attending an accredited law school. The program seeks applicants with strong written and oral communication skills and a demonstrated interest in indigent defense.

Obtaining School Credit

Many law school programs will award academic credit to participants in the law clerk program. The requirements and procedures vary depending upon the specific school’s guidelines. You would be responsible for coordinating between your school and our office to ensure that any paperwork and other requirements are met.

How to apply

Please submit a cover letter, résumé, brief writing sample, and unofficial transcript to  Current Openings - FPDCDCA .

For the summer program: Direct applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with a final deadline of the last day in January.  We recommend that you submit your materials as early as possible.