The Center for Appellate Litigation (“CAL”), a non-profit public defender office handling appeals and other post-conviction matters, is seeking a part-time, unpaid intern for our Parole Advocacy Project for Spring 2025.

As part of our mission to provide holistic support to our clients, our Parole Advocacy Project brings clients, attorneys, and other CAL staff together to compile a comprehensive written submission to the Parole Board in cases in which the Board has discretion to grant parole release. The Parole Advocacy intern will be an essential member of this team, helping to prepare and submit parole advocacy letters, which present a well-rounded picture of our clients to the Board. Interns also help clients prepare for appearances before the Board, offering support that has the potential to impact how soon individuals return to the community.

The internship, slated to begin in January 2025, will involve:

• assisting in the preparation of parole advocacy/mitigation packets for clients;
• aiding in requesting records;
• procuring letters of support from clients’ loved ones; and
• helping clients prepare for their upcoming parole hearings.

Responsibilities will include working proactively with the Parole Team staff. An ideal Parole Advocacy Intern can work both independently and collaboratively, is focused, detail-oriented, and deadline-conscious. The Parole Advocacy Intern should be prepared to speak and write to clients, their families, friends, and other references, as well as Department of Corrections and Community Supervision staff and other bureaucratic agencies on behalf of our clients’ interest. As such, applicants must have strong communication, writing, interpersonal, and time management skills and must possess a keen interest in advocating for people convicted of crimes.

We are especially eager to hear from applicants who would be open to extending their internship beyond a semester. CAL encourages interns to seek out opportunities for academic credit and/or institutional or external funding.

The intern for the Spring of 2025 will work remotely. We are looking for undergraduate juniors and seniors.

Interested students should send a cover letter, resume, and a writing sample via email to internship@cfal.org by January 17, 2025. Cover letters should be addressed to Lauren J. Springer, Director of the Parole Advocacy Project. Multi-lingual interns are encouraged to apply. We strongly encourage candidates of all identities, orientations, experiences, and communities to apply. All applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, religion, color, sex, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, ancestry, physical/mental disability, medical condition, military/veteran status, genetic information, marital status, ethnicity, alienage or any other protected classification, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws.