Opportunities for Attorneys
Licensed attorneys in California can apply for unpaid volunteer positions. Volunteer attorneys gain valuable courtroom experience by handling cases from client meetings to trial representation, enhancing their competitiveness in the job market. To apply for a volunteer attorney position, send your resume and cover letter to PubDefInterns@YoloCounty.gov
Opportunities for Law Students & Post-Bar
Each year, the Yolo County Public Defender’s Office offers internship opportunities for law students to gain hands-on experience in criminal defense. Students from McGeorge School of Law and UC Davis School of Law can apply through on-campus interviews, while students from other schools may apply directly by emailing PubDefInterns@YoloCounty.gov.
All interns, regardless of certification status, receive comprehensive training to prepare them for their roles. This includes client interview techniques, legal research, court observation, and understanding the fundamentals of criminal defense. Certified law students have the opportunity to represent clients in court, draft motions, and, under attorney supervision, potentially handle jury trials.
Application Deadlines
· Fall Semester/Post-Bar Internships: Applications due by the first Friday in May
· Spring Semester Internships: Applications due by the first Friday in September
· Summer Internships: Applications due by the first Friday in March
For specific timelines, please consult your school’s On-Campus Interview (OCI) program.
Opportunities for Pre-Law Undergraduate Students
Our Pre-Law undergraduate internship program is currently full. Please email attorneys Dan Hutchinson and Sara Johnson by December 1, 2025, for inquiries about internships in Winter 2026.
Opportunities for Social Workers & Individuals Interested in Forensic Social Services
The Yolo County Public Defender’s Office partners with local undergraduate and graduate social work programs to offer internships supervised by master’s-level social workers. These internships provide hands-on experience in forensic social work, giving students the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of individuals in the criminal justice system.
For undergraduate students interested in social services: Arraignment is often the court hearing in which people first meet an attorney. For clients, it can be confusing and intimidating. For attorneys, it is a time to explain the basic court process and understand a client’s needs. Undergrad interns will have the opportunity to meet clients in court and help them fill out basic court paperwork. Interns will also help ‘issue spot’ and refer clients to programs or services to meet their needs. After court, interns will call other arraignment clients who have self-identified needs or services, and provide them with services and resources in the client’s general area.
For students enrolled in a master’s level behavioral health program: PC 1001.36 (aka Mental Health Diversion) is an amazing opportunity for many of the clients we serve. To be eligible to petition the court for diversion, a client must have a valid diagnosis in the last 5 years and be willing to engage in treatment. Many of the clients we serve do struggle with their mental health and/or substance use disorders, however a lot of these clients unfortunately struggle to connect to the services that they need. You will have the opportunity to help clients navigate health insurance (Medi-Cal) and local continuums of care (Access Lines, referrals, etc.); you will be tasked with collecting client's treatment records and interpreting them by identifying their diagnosis, elements of their treatment plan, overall participation in programming, etc.; and coordinate with clients, their defense attorneys, and other support people in the clients lives.
How to Apply
If you are a bachelor’s or master’s social work student interested in an internship with the Yolo County Public Defender’s Office, please send your resume and cover letter to:
· Tonya Jacobs – Juvenile Social Worker
· Emily Kochly – Adult Social Worker