General Department Overview

The Rhode Island Public Defender is a full-service public defender agency providing statewide representation to indigents. Established in 1941, its forty-four attorneys, supported by eight investigators, four social workers, two interpreters and a large clerical and intake staff, represent indigents charged with misdemeanors and felonies, juveniles charged with delinquency and wayward offenses, and parents whose custody of their children is threatened by the state. Nearly 20,000 referrals are made to the Public Defender annually. The Public Defender is a state agency, funded primarily by general revenue; approximately 7% of the FY 2003 $6.5 Million budget is attributable to federal grants for special projects.

The main office is located in Providence, Rhode Island, as are two branch offices. Three additional offices are located in the southern half of the state. The caseload is highly urban, as the metropolitan areas of Providence and Newport account for the bulk of the cases.

Representation is specialized and largely horizontal. There are four basic divisions of attorneys: appellate, criminal trial (including separate felony and misdemeanor units), juvenile, and parental rights.

Law Student Clerkships. A law student clerkship program operates year-round. Approximately 20 law students are placed during the summer, with a smaller number placed during the school-year, in all divisions of the office. A variety of placements are available. Clerkships fulltime during the summer, for a minimum of 10 weeks, and part-time during the school year with a minimum of 16 hours per week. All clerkships are unpaid. Applications for law student clerkships, accompanied by a writing sample, should be sent to Michael A. DiLauro, Director of Training.

Undergraduate Internships and Volunteers. An internship program accepts volunteer students who are enrolled in good standing as undergraduates at local educational institutions. Students generally assist in intake interviewing of prospective clients, but may also assist in other phases of case preparation and processing. Internships require a minimum of 10 weeks. Volunteers who are not enrolled undergraduates are accepted on a very limited basis. Some graduate students who are candidates for a degree in social work or a related area are also accepted. All internships are unpaid. Applications for internships should be sent to Michaela Connors, Intake Coordinator with the exception of the Fall 2008 semester. Students interested in Fall 2008 semester should send their resumes and cover letters to Robert Marro.

Employment opportunities. All hiring, for fulltime positions and law student placement, is centralized through the main office in Providence. Resumes for permanent staff positions should be sent to Public Defender John J. Hardiman. A writing sample should accompany all applications. Copies of transcripts are accepted but not required at the initial application stage.

The Rhode Island Public Defender is committed to equal employment without regard to race, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, handicap or age.