Careers • Internship Opportunities

Summer Law Fellowship

The Summer Law Fellowship provides law students the opportunity to gain experience in trial and appellate litigation in the public sector. The nine-week program begins the first Monday in June and allows law students to work closely with Assistant District Attorneys. Depending upon assignment, summer fellows help prepare cases for grand jury presentations, hearings, and trials. Fellows also research and write appellate and trial briefs, and are assigned to work on complex, long-term investigations. In most cases, summer fellows have an opportunity to second-seat an Assistant District Attorney on trial.

To expose law students to various aspects of the criminal justice system, the Office conducts a variety of informational programs throughout the summer, including a weekly Lecture Series, Roundtable Lunches, field trips, and mock litigation programs. Not only do fellows get firsthand exposure to the work of the office, they may apply early for permanent positions as Assistant District Attorneys.

Summer Law Fellows receive a salary of $840 per week. In the past, Fellows have arranged for work-study funding and public interest fellowships to offset expenses.

“The program was everything I could have expected and more. Although I was convinced that a position
as a prosecutor in this office would be a dream job, I know now that my beliefs were correct; 
this was a real great time, and I only hope that I will be serving here next year as an ADA.”  
– Assistant District Attorney & Former Summer Law Intern

212-335-9361

We interview at the New York County District Attorney’s Office and select public interest job fairs. The successful applicant will go through a one-round interview process, meeting with one member of the Hiring Board, who is an experienced Assistant District Attorney.

All applications must be submitted online. Applicants will be required to attach a cover letter, resume, law school transcript, writing sample, and a list of three professional references. Applicants invited to interview must submit an official law school transcript. Please click on Application Materials for more information. Offers are made on a rolling basis, and we respond to all applications. If you have not heard from us your application is still pending. If you receive any offers or deadlines from other employers, please call the Legal Hiring staff.

Cover letters should be addressed to:

Ms. Robin R. Edwards
Director, Legal Hiring Unit
New York County District Attorney’s Office
One Hogan Place
New York, NY 10013

We begin accepting applications from full-time second-year and part-time third-year law students on August 15 and the deadline for submission is November 1. All submissions are due by 5:00 PM (EST).

Eligible law students who are interested in being considered for a summer fellowship position may apply online by clicking on the link below. Please read all instructions carefully and hover over the question mark for more information. Documents should be in Word or PDF format.  We strongly encourage you to review the FAQ section for more information about our application process.

Summer Law Fellowship Application

The City of New York is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected status or protected characteristic, including but not limited to an individual’s sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.

As a current or prospective employee of the City of New York, you may be eligible for federal loan forgiveness programs and state repayment assistance programs. Please review the notice to see if you may be eligible for programs and how to apply at nyc.gov/studentloans.