Job Title: Summer 2026 Social Work Internship
Department: Criminal Defense Practice
Location: Harlem
Reports To: Rebecca Calabrese
Position Type: Temporary – Summer Internship
Union Status: Non-Union
FLSA Status: Not applicable
About NDS:
Neighborhood Defender Service (NDS) is a national nonprofit public defense organization that pioneered the holistic defense model more than 30 years ago. Founded in Harlem, NDS was built to challenge the traditional public defense model by centering clients, communities, and interdisciplinary advocacy. Today, NDS operates community-based offices in Harlem; the Bronx; Detroit; and Hays County, Texas, supported by a unified national infrastructure that allows local teams to deliver high-quality, responsive representation rooted in the communities they serve.
Across all locations, NDS provides client-centered legal representation through interdisciplinary teams composed of attorneys, investigators, social workers, client advocates, and team administrators. Our approach emphasizes early and ongoing engagement with clients—before arrest where possible, throughout the life of a case, and beyond case resolution—while addressing the legal, social, and systemic challenges that impact long-term stability. NDS is committed to treating every client with dignity and respect and to advancing justice for individuals and communities that have been historically marginalized and over-policed.
Core Purpose of the Role:The Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem, Criminal Defense Practice is looking for students who are interested in the Social Work field, or who are currently enrolled in a BSW or MSW program who are looking for more experience during this summer. This unpaid internship will give you the opportunity to work within a Public Defender’s Office under the direction of multiple qualified Social Workers. You will learn how social work is integrated into the criminal legal system, as well as gain skills and knowledge of the social work field. This internship is expected to start on June 2, 2026 and end August 7, 2026. It will be hybrid in person and remote, with the first week being in person.
• Obtaining records and analyzing records
• Work closely with Social Work team members to advocate for reduced sentences and/or alternatives to incarceration for clients
• Escorting clients to treatment programs from court
• Researching topics for written mitigation documents
• Make appropriate referrals to address clients’ social service needs (drug treatment, mental health treatment, housing and other benefits)
• Assist clients in navigating New York City Social Service agencies
• Advocate on behalf of clients to social service agencies.
• Update online databases of community-based organizations
• Assist with digitizing and organizing paperwork
• Must possess a demonstrated commitment to criminal justice, indigent defense, social justice issues and/or the Harlem communities.
• Must possess strong organizational skills
• Must possess a high level of organization, unlimited energy and patience, and the ability to work on a team.
• Bilingual applicants are encouraged to apply.
How to Apply:
All interested applicants are REQUIRED to submit a COVER LETTER and RESUME. Applications without a cover letter will not be considered.
PDF files containing both Cover Letter and Resume are preferred.
Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.
Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
For more information about NDS, please visit our website at www.NeighborhoodDefender.org.
Compensation:
This is an UNPAID internship.
The Neighborhood Defender Service is committed to creating a diverse environment that reflects the community we serve. NDS is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply and will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. NDS encourages people with incarcerated loved ones, formerly incarcerated people, people of color, women, queer, transgender, gender non-confirming, and gender fluid people to apply.
USD $0.00/Yr.
USD $0.00/Yr.
Neighborhood Defender Service (NDS) is known nationally and internationally for its innovative, community-based, holistic public defense practice. Our dedicated staff is committed to providing unparalleled legal representation.
Since we opened our doors in Harlem in 1990, we have pioneered the holistic model as a way to address problems plaguing public defense. In contrast to a traditional public defense practice, NDS clients have an entire team fighting on their behalf, including criminal and civil attorneys, family defense attorneys, advocates, social workers, investigators, paralegals, law school and social work interns, and pro bono attorneys. NDS deploys all of these resources on behalf of our clients, addressing the underlying issues that bring them into contact with the criminal legal system. NDS staff use their engagement with a client as an opportunity to disentangle them from the system completely.
This approach allows defense to extend well beyond the courtroom, with robust social services and comprehensive teams meant to protect our clients from the damages of criminal legal proceedings. When clients face consequences with employment, schooling, immigration or in family or housing court, NDS works alongside them to resolve these issues.
NDS fights for our clients both by working their cases and by advocating for policy changes that provide a measure of justice to their communities. NDS is an active member of these communities, establishing meaningful relationships with clients and their families. NDS hosts frequent education and outreach events to support its neighbors and participate in local events.
NDS has been a part of the Harlem community for nearly 30 years and opened a second office in Detroit in 2019, providing the same world-class service to the people of Wayne County.
