Spring (2026) 2L Legal Internship

Description

The 2L internship program receives law student applicants who will have completed one full year of law school prior to their internship start date. If you are a law student in good standing who will have completed two full years of law school prior to the internship start date, please consider our 3L internship program

We Provide Practical Experience
Our 2L internship program offers law students a unique opportunity to conduct meaningful work on real criminal cases. Our Appellate interns work closely with the attorneys in our appeals unit, conducting legal research and refining their legal writing skills by drafting corresponding briefs that are submitted to the District Court, Colorado Court of Appeals, and Colorado Supreme Court. Interns in our 2L program do not need to wait until graduation to begin making a positive impact in their community.

We Train for the Future
Our 2L internship program is designed for law students contemplating a career in criminal prosecution. We train and mentor our 2L interns with the goal of preparing them to return as 3L interns working and trying cases under the Student Practice Act. Our 3L interns are trained and mentored with the goal of returning to our office as deputy district attorneys.

Duties

The following essential job functions and examples of duties are illustrative only and are not intended to be all inclusive; positions assigned to this class may not perform all of the duties listed.

Appellate Internships

• Appellate interns conduct research regarding an array of complex issues pertaining to criminal law. With the guidance of our experienced appellate attorneys, interns review trial court records, conduct legal research, and draft corresponding legal briefs. Issues arising out of county court (traffic and misdemeanor cases) are briefed in the District Court.
• Issues arising out of the District Court are briefed in the Colorado Court of Appeals and Colorado Supreme Court.
• Appellate interns may also be called upon to assist with the creation of template motions or legal memoranda that are distributed to assist our various prosecution units.

• A commitment to public service, and a desire to protect the rights and interests of crime victims.
• Ability to clearly and persuasively analyze legal and factual scenarios.
• Ability to conduct legal research and organize and summarize complex legal issues in a clear and concise manner.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with superiors, co-workers, court staff, law enforcement and related agencies' personnel, press/media reporters, and the general public.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with same.

Requirements

Education and Experience:

• Candidates are required to currently be attending law school and must have completed their first year.
• No experience required.

Supplemental Information

Timeline for application:

• We accept applications and hire interns for the 2L Internship Program beginning in October of a student’s second year in law school for a spot in the Internship Program for the following spring semester. We encourage first year students to apply for a summer internship as a rising 2L.
• For students attending a law school not in Colorado and who desire to work in Colorado as a prosecutor after graduation, we also accept applications for the summer semester only.

• Must successfully pass pre-employment testing which includes an acceptable motor vehicle record (MVR) and background check.
• Possession of a valid Class “R” Colorado Driver’s License or the ability to obtain one within two weeks of appointment.
• Security clearance required: will require fingerprinting and a Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) background check

• Work is generally confined to a standard office environment and requires no more than normal physical abilities.

• Spends 60% of the time sitting and 40% of the time either upright or walking.
• Occasionally lifts, carries, pulls or pushes up to 30 lbs.
• Occasionally uses cart, dolly, or other equipment to carry in excess of 30 lbs.
• Occasionally climbs, stoops, kneels, balances, reaches, crawls and crouches while performing office or work duties.
• Verbal and auditory capacity enabling constant interpersonal communication through automated devices, such as telephones, radios, and similar; and in public meetings and personal interactions.
• Constant use of eye, hand and finger coordination enabling the use of automated office machinery or equipment.
• Visual capacity enabling constant use of computer or other work-related equipment.

• Arapahoe County does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation or any other status protected under the law. It is our intention that all qualified applicants be given equal opportunity in any term, condition, or privilege of employment and that selection decisions are based on job-related factors. Arapahoe County is committed to making employment accessible to persons with disabilities.

** In accordance with Senate Bill 23-058, applicants understand that Arapahoe County will not request or require the applicant to include their age, date of birth, or date of attendance/graduation date on the initial application. Applicants understand that Arapahoe County can request or require an individual to provide documentation including copies of certification, transcripts, and other materials created by a third party. The applicant understands that the applicant can redact, if they so choose, information that identifies age, date of birth, or dates of attendance/graduation from an educational institution on those requested/required certification, transcripts and other materials created by a third party.

Toll Free Applicant Technical Support: If you experience technical difficulty with the NEOGOV system (i.e. uploading or attaching documents to your online application), call NEOGOV technical support at 855-524-5627. Helpful hints: if you are having difficulty uploading or attaching documents to your application, first, ensure your documents are PDF or Microsoft Word files, and second, close the document before you attempt uploading (attaching) it.

As a Temporary employee at Arapahoe County Government, this position is not eligible for benefits or paid time off.