Founded 30 years ago, the Philly CHU represents indigent death-sentenced men and women all across the country. We regularly litigate (and win) in the Supreme Court, see, e.g., Rompilla v. Beard, 545 U.S. 374 (2005); Williams v. Pennsylvania, 579 U.S. 1 (2016); Gutierrez v. Saenz, 145 S. Ct. 2258 (2025), and our alumni have gone on to become federal circuit and district court judges, professors, and leaders at public defense organizations around the country. We have trained more than 100 current public defenders through our summer internship program alone. 

We litigate from our offices in downtown Philadelphia. Located in the historic Curtis Building, kitty corner to the Liberty Bell and overlooking a National Park, we're walking distance from just about every major landmark (and charming neighborhood) in one of the world's most storied and enduring metropolitan areas. Our summer interns work closely with our attorneys and clients, conducting challenging, pressing, and novel research. Over the course of the summer, students typically: 

• Draft motions, memoranda, and briefs;
• Research forensic issues, including DNA, fingerprints, hair and fiber, and ballistics;
• Assist in factual investigation;
• Participate in team meetings and observe development of case strategy;
• Review and analyze institutional records and transcripts of prior proceedings;
• Observe hearings and oral arguments, participate in moots;
• Receive substantive training on all stages and facets of federal habeas litigation;
• Go to a Phillies game and participate in the office’s annual Supreme Court Review.  

We start our summers with a week-long intensive training covering dozens of post-conviction related topics. The training is taught by Assistant Federal Defenders and features in-person presentations from some of our exonerated clients. There are few better places to start a career in public defense. 

The 10-week internship is unpaid, but we are happy to work with your schools to meet the criteria for work study, course credit, etc. The internship will begin in June 2026. Applications will be considered on a rolling basis (but we usually pick our summer class by January at the latest). Please send all application materials (cover letter, resume, writing sample, and transcript) to the following address: pae_interns@fd.org with the subject title “CHU Summer 2026 Intern Application.”

The Federal Community Defender is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital/parental status, gender identity, gender expression or any other status or classification protected by federal law. We encourage students of all backgrounds to apply.