Investigative Intern, Spring 2026 - New York, NY

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Investigative Intern, Spring 2026

#25-201

New York, New York, United States

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Deadline is 3 : 00 PM EST for Date Listed

Dec 01, 2025

Job Description

The Legal Aid Society's Criminal Defense Investigative Services Unit has unpaid internship opportunities for the Spring 2026 term.

The Legal Aid Society is built upon one simple but powerful belief that no New Yorker should be denied the right to equal justice. As the primary and oldest public defender in New York City, The Legal Aid Society's staff zealously seek to deliver justice in every borough, working tirelessly to make our city a better place. We work to protect the rights of the most marginalized and disenfranchised in society. The expansive reach of The Legal Aid Society's Criminal Defense Practice runs from its dynamic advocacy of clients in court to its presence and partnership in the communities. We have a unique opportunity for those who believe in our mission

The Spring 2026 Investigator Internship is a voluntary, unpaid, part-time opportunity running from January 20 to May 8, 2026 . Interns are expected to commit to two weekdays of their choice (Monday-Friday, 9 AM-5 PM) . This is an in-person program only ; remote positions are not available. MetroCards will be provided to support fieldwork-related travel. This internship offers rigorous, hands-on experience in criminal defense investigation. Interns will work in pairs to conduct field investigations on misdemeanor cases throughout New York City. The program begins with comprehensive mandatory training, covering topics such as :

• Criminal Defense Fundamentals
• Interviewing Techniques
• Constitutional Law
• Ethics
• Memorializing Interviews
• Social Media Research
• Discovery Reform
• And more

Internship placements are available in our Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, Queens, and Staten Island Trial Offices. These roles demand initiative, creativity, resourcefulness, and a strong dedication to criminal defense work. Interns will be equipped with the tools and support needed to succeed.

Application & Selection Process

Submit your resume and cover letter as a combined PDF. Designate your top 3 borough preferences and your internship availability days.

Applicants should anticipate a virtual interview via Zoom or Microsoft Teams. Due to the high volume of applications and the competitive nature of the program, not all applicants will be interviewed. Some placements may be more selective than others. Notifications of acceptance will be sent on a rolling basis, with final decisions communicated by March 15, 2026.

Application Deadline is December 1

st

at 3 : 00 PM EST.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES / RESPONSIBILITIES

TRAINING AND QUALIFICATIONS

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Please submit these documents as a single combined PDF when you apply via the LAS (Legal Aid Society) Recruitment Portal.

As an intern position, this role has no salary.

HOW TO APPLY

All applications must be completed online. We do not accept emailed submissions.

Candidates applying must indicate their location / unit interest in order of preferences in their cover letter. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, so we encourage you to apply early. Offers will also be extended on a rolling basis. Interviews will be scheduled throughout winter and spring, and if you are selected for an interview, you will receive an email notification during this season. Selected applicants should expect a virtual interview via Zoom or Teams.

Please visit our Careers Page to review all current job postings and instructions on the application process. For technical difficulties or questions regarding this posting, please email jobpostquestions@legal-aid.org .

As an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer, The Legal Aid Society prohibits discriminatory employment actions against and treatment of its employees and applicants for employment based on actual or perceived race or color, size (including bone structure, body size, height, shape, and weight), religion or creed, alienage or citizenship status, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity (one's internal deeply-held sense of one's gender which may be the same or different from one's sex assigned at birth); gender expression (the representation of gender as expressed through, for example, one's name, choice of pronouns, clothing, haircut, behavior, voice, or body characteristics; gender expression may not conform to traditional gender-based stereotypes assigned to specific gender identities), disability, marital status, relationship and family structure (including domestic partnerships, polyamorous families and individuals, chosen family, platonic co-parents, and multigenerational families), genetic information or predisposing genetic characteristics, military status, domestic violence victim status, arrest or pre-employment conviction record, credit history, unemployment status, caregiver status, salary history, or any other characteristic protected by law.

OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION

The leadership of The Legal Aid Society is committed to a work culture of zealous advocacy, respect, diversity and inclusion, client-oriented defense, access to justice and excellent representation. We are dedicated to building a strong professional relationship with each of our clients, to understanding their diverse circumstances, and to meeting their needs. Our ability to achieve these goals depends on the efforts of all of us.

Location

Manhattan - Criminal Defense Practice Office