CDPL staff, friends, and summer interns taking in a Durham Bulls game!
Each summer, CDPL hosts full-time law student and undergraduate interns. Our interns consistently remark on the diversity of opportunities, the rigorous intellectual environment, and the collegiality of our office. In recent summers, interns have visited clients, traveled across the state interviewing witnesses and jurors, worked on clemency cases, assisted with research and writing of direct appeal and post-conviction claims, attended capital trials, and assisted at evidentiary hearings. Because of the nature of the work our students perform, we typically do not allow split summers and we prefer that all interns begin work on the same date. We ask each intern to commit to a 10-week program, usually beginning the first work day of June.
Serving as a Marshall-Motley Scholar intern at the Center for Death Penalty Litigation this summer deepened my resolve to abolish the death penalty and carry forward the work of those who have fought before me. I was able to experience both the urgency and humanity behind this work through a wide range of assignments, like meeting with clients on death row, conducting jury investigations, and drafting legal memos for staff attorneys. What stood out to me the most was the culture of intentional mentorship at CDPL. The open-door policy created a summer internship where I could learn, ask questions and be continuously challenged.
-Ashley Conyers, Marshall-Motley Scholar, NCCU School of Law 2026
As a 1L selecting where I would work for the summer, I sought an organization that was dynamic, warm, and client-centered. As my internship concludes, I can confidently say CDPL was a great choice! My assignments throughout the summer were clear and varied, giving me the opportunity to strengthen my legal research and writing skills. CDPL prioritized mentorship, checking in routinely and even facilitating an “Interns of Color” cohort across multiple legal organizations.
The highlight of my summer, however, was meeting with clients. I was struck by their stories and resilience, and grateful that CDPL trusted us to conduct legal visits.
-Deskyos Damtew, Marshall-Motley Scholar, UC Berkeley School of Law 2027
Interning at CDPL this summer gave me the unique opportunity explore the complex world of capital defense. As an undergraduate intern working alongside law students and attorneys, I learned so much about the legal field from experienced advocates. I had the chance to assist attorneys with their post-conviction appeals, conduct a juror investigation, observe hearings, meet with clients, and hear from remarkable guest speakers. I was constantly inspired by the attorneys’ relentless dedication to their clients and steadfast efforts to protect people from capital punishment. My passion for criminal defense and anti-death penalty work grew significantly throughout my time at CDPL. This internship was truly an invaluable learning experience for me that I was incredibly lucky to have as an undergraduate student.
-Lucy Carlson, Emory University, 2027
CDPL was my first internship in law school, and I am incredibly grateful for this invaluable learning experience. I had the privilege of observing and assisting counsel throughout a felony trial, where I analyzed jury data from state public records and researched case theories. For post-conviction cases, I reviewed trial transcripts and identified patterns of jury discrimination within the jury selection process. Subsequently, I testified on my findings at a post-conviction evidentiary hearing.
The most meaningful part of this internship was connecting with clients—listening to their stories of their life before incarceration and their harrowing experiences on death row. I am also fortunate to have met my lifelong mentors here. Their commitment to client-centered advocacy and tireless efforts to abolish the death penalty inspired me and ultimately shaped my decision to pursue a career in public defense.
— Grace Kang, Northeastern University School of Law, 2024
At the Center for Death Penalty Litigation, I was exposed to criminal defense work in the most meaningful way possible. As an undergraduate with limited experience, I was warmly welcomed into a highly skilled team of attorneys and law students who encouraged my growth. From conducting juror investigations to assisting with post-conviction claims, I had the unique opportunity to engage in the exciting, hands-on work that is typically reserved for more advanced interns. Meeting with clients and learning their stories was the most rewarding aspect of this experience and continues to shape my perspective. This opportunity challenged me to confront a complex reality often overlooked and marginalized, and I am better for it. Thank you, CDPL!
— Amani Diallo, Brown University 2027
Experiencing CDPL’s internship program the summer after my 1L year set the standard for the rest of my internships during law school. At CDPL, attorneys and mitigation specialists are committed to building thought partnerships with interns, providing a careful balance between training through observation and hands-on practice of post-conviction work. Beyond being a great place to learn, CDPL stands out in its steadfast articulation of the death penalty’s racist and classist roots and consequences. Pairing client-centered representation with a clear-eyed vision of the society that has failed Black, brown, and working class people, CDPL prepares interns for the various fundamentals of human rights lawyering.
— Sunny Osment, UNC Law School 2025
CURRENTLY ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR SUMMER 2026.
Summer Internship Application Form
To apply for a summer internship, fill out the online form and use the buttons below to upload the following documents in PDF format:
Cover letter clearly articulating the applicant’s interest in death penalty defense or criminal defense work
Current resume
Phone number and email address for one professional reference
If you are a law student seeking to volunteer at CDPL during the school year, please apply on our Volunteers page at a later time. We will not be accepting volunteer applications until 2026.
CDPL complies with the letter and spirit of all federal, state, and local employment discrimination laws and does not discriminate based on race, age, sex, religion, national origin, marital status, family responsibility, gender identity, sexual orientation, veteran status, or disability.
