The District Attorney’s Office is offering well-rounded candidates, who take initiative, work-well with others and have a sincere interest in the ever-evolving criminal justice system, an opportunity to work as interns.
Summer interns with the Office of the District Attorney General – 20th Judicial District receive hands-on court experience prosecuting criminal cases. Students who have completed at least half of their legal coursework and are in good standing are eligible to apply for a limited license for practice. This allows students to participate in trials, hearings and other in court proceedings at the General Sessions and/or Criminal Court levels under the supervision of an Assistant District Attorney. You will interact with attorneys in the Office and members of the defense bar while negotiating cases. Interns regularly receive feedback from attorneys as they complete assignments. Our goal is to prepare you to practice!
Interns are assigned to a team in one of the six criminal courts, general sessions, juvenile or special teams (Vehicular Crimes, Domestic Violence, Child Sex Abuse, Special Operations, Human Trafficking, Conviction Review Unit, Financial Crimes or Elder Abuse). Past summers included field trips to Riverbend Max Security Institution, Medical Examiner’s Office, and the MNPD Crime Lab and Property Room. Students also attend office-wide mixers and are encouraged to participate in various office activities.
If you are interested, please send a cover letter/letter of interest detailing the personal attributes that make you a well-rounded and qualified applicant, résumé, transcript (unofficial is acceptable), and a writing sample (less than 5 pages). The cover letter should also articulate why you chose to apply to this District Attorney’s Office other than the location and why you are interested in prosecution. Please send all requested materials to dainterninquiry@jisnashville.gov.
If class credit is available through your academic program or stipends through your school, we will gladly comply with the necessary supervision/reporting requirements. We do not split summers for 2L students. The internship is a minimum 10 weeks with a suggested 12 weeks. This internship is unpaid. The following deadlines apply: Summer internship deadline – February 1st; Fall internship deadline – June 1st; Spring internship deadline – October 1st.
If you have any questions please feel free to email DAInternInquiry@jisnashville.gov
The internship committee is:
Kristen Taylor, Director
Seth Colón
Chicoya Gallman
Jeff George
Testimonials
“At this office, the attorneys trusted me to take part in every step of a case. I indicated my interest to help conduct a trial and the attorneys were quick to include me in their schedules. For my first trial, I helped prep the witnesses and question jurors with an attorney, and was allowed to do opening, direct, and closing on my own (with supervision). General Gallman was with me the whole time and answered my many questions, helping me to feel confident in my actions and giving me constructive feedback so that I can improve more in the future. I am very grateful to go into my post-graduate career with real trial experience and feel prepared to hit the ground running.”
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Emily Detiveaux
Vanderbilt Law
Class of 2022“Having the opportunity with the U-Visa program gave me a unique opportunity to see the intersection of criminal law and immigration law. By helping the victims of violent crimes resolve issues regarding their immigration status, I was able to gain legal experience while also having a beneficial impact on someone else’s life. The U-Visa program is unlike anything else I have done in law school and would highly recommend interning in this division!”
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Josh Swafford
Vanderbilt Law
Class of 2023“My experience at the District Attorney’s Office has been nothing short of phenomenal. I have received valuable courtroom exposure. Working at the District Attorney’s Office has helped me excel in class as well because I’m able to apply the law to practical real world experience. During my 1L Summer, I observed numerous trials, motions, and preliminary hearings which prepared me for my 2L Summer at the D.A.’s Office when I won my first bench trial. I have gained valuable knowledge and experience by working at the District Attorney’s Office which will help me succeed in the future.”
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Chicoya M. Smith
College of Law, 2018
BELMONT UNIVERSITY“Working for the District Attorney’s Office gives law students the invaluable first-hand experience every intern hopes for while providing valuable help that the justice system needs. As a 2L intern with my limited license, I was able to walk into real courtrooms, speak before real judges, and help decide real cases that maintain the justice and peace of the public. I worked with first rate attorneys who were immensely knowledgeable in their fields, and incredibly generous with their help to advance my skills. Working for the District Attorney’s Office this summer has cemented my desire to work in criminal law, and I would recommend this internship to anyone looking for trial experience.”
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Blake Reynolds
Belmont Law School