Client Advocate Internship - Summer 2026

Orleans Indigent Defender • New Orleans, LA

7d

About The Position

OPD is seeking individuals interested in public defense and criminal justice advocacy to join our semester-long Client Advocate Internship program.

The Orleans Public Defenders Office provides holistic, community-based representation in New Orleans. We represent thousands of people each year utilizing a client-centered team model that puts the client first and takes a 360-degree approach to our advocacy and representation. We recognize our clients are unique individuals and work to address their needs both in the court and out. Our diverse staff includes adult and juvenile attorneys; social workers; client, youth and parent advocates; investigators, and administrators—all working together for equal justice for our clients, their families, our community, and a better New Orleans. In short, we protect innocence, defend the Constitution, demand justice, and hold power accountable.

Client Advocate Interns will join our Client Services Division and be partnered with a Client Advocate during the internship. This internship will give you unique insight into the criminal legal system and criminal defense representation in New Orleans. Interns will work to support and improve advocacy for clients through the case process, increasing success upon release. In this role, interns will assist the Client Advocate in identifying alternatives to incarceration and utilize individual mitigation plans to reduce detention for our clients and divert clients to more appropriate social services and treatment. This includes direct client contact, engagement with community members, and coordination with various social service and professional entities.

More specifically, a client advocate intern’s duties may include:

Visiting clients in jail and conducting intake assessments for services
Reaching out to client family members to provide updates and gather information
Assisting in connecting clients with services, writing release plans, and ensuring clients have information for services post-release
Contacting and coordinating with various social service entities around New Orleans

Requirements

• Applicants will have demonstrated interest in serving underserved and marginalized communities.
• The ability to work well with people of various socio-economic, racial, cultural and educational background is a must.
• Applicants will have the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with clients, staff, and members of the community.
• Other qualifications include the ability to be organized, work independently as well as in a team-driven environment.
• To be eligible, candidates must be able to attend the full training program at the beginning of the term.

Responsibilities

• Visiting clients in jail and conducting intake assessments for services
• Reaching out to client family members to provide updates and gather information
• Assisting in connecting clients with services, writing release plans, and ensuring clients have information for services post-release
• Contacting and coordinating with various social service entities around New Orleans

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees