OPD is seeking Master of Social Work students interested in public defense and criminal justice advocacy for our Social Work Internship program.
The Orleans Public Defenders Office provides holistic, community-based representation in Orleans Parish. We represent thousands of people each year utilizing a client-centered defense 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.
OPD is committed to providing zealous client-centered, community-oriented defense. Our attorneys zealously defend clients against criminal charges in Criminal, Municipal and Traffic, and Juvenile Court immediately following arrest all the way through sentencing and some postconviction events. Our client-centered approach focuses on serving the client’s interest and meeting their individual needs to achieve the best outcome for each client.
Social Work Interns join our Client Services Division and are partnered with a Staff Social Worker during the internship/field placement. In this role, interns will begin their learning by assisting their supervising staff social worker in identifying alternatives to incarceration, helping prepare individual mitigation plans to reduce detention for our clients, and diverting/referring clients to more appropriate social services and treatment. Under supervision, interns will be able to conduct clinical assessments, assist with determining appropriate treatment settings, and liaise with medical and psychiatric providers. As the internship progresses, social work interns will be expected to take on their own client caseload that they manage under supervision. This role requires a willingness to conduct direct client contacts in jail, court, and other community settings; to engage with community members; and to coordinate services.
WHAT INTERNS GAIN FROM THIS PROGRAM
This internship will give you unique insight into the criminal justice system and criminal defense representation, particularly in New Orleans.
You will be in a position to have a profound impact on our clients’ lives—one that many do not get an opportunity to experience. These experiences can provide you with a solid foundation for diverse social work pathways in forensic, legal, medical, and case management settings.
Our social work internship program is unpaid. At present, we have field placement contracts in place with the Master of Social Work (MSW) programs at the Southern University at New Orleans (SUNO), Louisiana State University (LSU), and Tulane University, through which we can participate as an approved site for your field placement course(s). Students not from these schools should reach out early to to determine if we can establish a contract with your school.
QUALIFICATIONS: 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, and work independently as well as in a team-driven environment.
UPCOMING TERMS**
Fall 2026
Application Deadline: July 20, 2026
Interviews and Acceptance Notice: Rolling, or via school matching process
*Mandatory Training Dates will be discussed upon any offer of field placement*
Spring 2027 (13 weeks)
Application Deadline: December 1, 2026
Interviews and Acceptance Notice: Rolling, or via school matching process
Mandatory Training: January 23 – 24, 2027 [Sat & Sun]
HOW TO APPLY:
Qualified and interested applicants please complete the online application here and submit all of the following in PDF form:
• Resume
• Cover letter (statement of interest)
• Transcript (unofficial version is sufficient; transcript not required if no grades yet available for students applying during their first semester)
• Class schedule for semester(s) of desired internship (not required to apply if not yet available by time of application)
Applications without both a resume and cover letter will not be considered. Due to the volume of applications, only those selected for an interview will be contacted for further information. For questions about the hiring or application process, please email .
OPD is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. If a reasonable accommodation is needed at any time during the hiring process, please contact Sharee Garnett, Director of Human Resources, at or 504-827-8179.
OPD is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to creating an inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants for employment will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, creed, age, gender, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, political affiliation, or genetic information.
OPD’s mission is to fight for our clients by providing excellent client-centered representation, reforming the system and partnering with the community. OPD is committed to representation that respects the humanity and dignity of those within the criminal legal system.
