Writing Cover Letters and Resumes for Public Defender Jobs
Date: Sunday, August 10, 2025
Time: 1:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Location: Zoom (link available in email to MDefenders listserv)
Join us virtually to talk about how to craft your resume and cover letter when applying for public defender jobs. Typically, a resume and cover letter are the only materials that you will send when you apply, so you must find ways to stand out and convey your enthusiasm for the work that defenders do. After this event, you will have the opportunity to submit your cover letters and resume for alumni review and feedback.
2Ls & 3Ls Submit Cover Letters and Resumes for Review
Deadline: Friday, August 15, 2025
Interested students who submit their application materials to mdefenders@umich.edu by Friday, August 15th will receive feedback on their materials from public defender alumni by August 25th.
3L Job Meetings With Professors Primus and Nelson
Date: Friday, August 15 and Sunday, August 24, 2025
Time: 8:30 AM – 2:15 PM
Location: Zoom (link located on sign-up sheet)
3Ls should sign-up using this link to meet with Professors Primus and Nelson on Zoom to discuss career goals and strategies for securing a job in public defense post-graduation. In the instructions for the sign up, you will find a link to this form, which should only take you five minutes to fill out. Please fill the form out as soon as you sign up so we can have a more productive meeting. Meetings are limited to 30 minutes per student.
How to Handle the Public Defender Interview – Part 1
Date: Thursday, August 28, 2025
Time: 11:55 AM – 12:55 PM
Location: Hutchins Hall Room 138
Interviews for public defender jobs are different from most of the interviews you've had to date. They tend to involve more probing questions that stray beyond your resume. Employers want to know how committed you are to public defense, whether you care about and will relate well to your clients, whether you have the ability to stand up and fight in a system that is stacked against you, and whether you will last in the job. They also want to test your intelligence, public-speaking skills, and figure out whether you will fit with the culture of their office. In short, the questions will often be deeper than the typical get-to-know-you interview. In the first part of this two-part event, we will discuss what factors interviewers are considering and how to craft your answer to the inevitable question - why do you want to be a public defender? So bring a lunch and join us to learn how to tackle these interview questions.
Public Defender Training Institute Retreat
Date: Saturday, August 30 – Monday, September 1, 2025
Location: Jeffries Hall Rooms 1020, 1025, & 1060
The Public Defender Training Institute (PDTI) begins with a three-day, intensive Retreat over Labor Day weekend. Participants will discuss the role of the public defender, ethics and professional responsibility, client interviewing, storytelling, and more. We will engage in in-depth conversations on secondary trauma and sustaining well-being in public defense, as well as the problems of white saviorism and how to be an anti-racist defender both inside and outside the courtroom. Simulations and mock hearings allow students to practice advocacy skills and receive feedback in real time. You can find the PDTI Retreat schedule of sessions on the website. If you would like to audit part or all of the retreat, please email mdefenders@umich.edu.
Why We Do This Work Panel
Date: Saturday, August 30, 2025
Time: 5:30 PM – 6:30 PM
Location: Jeffries Hall Room 1025
Alumni who are practicing public defenders come to campus to co-facilitate the PDTI retreat with Professors Nelson and Primus. They close out day one of the retreat with a panel discussion about why they do this work. This year’s alumni co-facilitators are Tezira Abe (a federal defender in Washington, D.C.), Gail Engmann (a trial attorney at the Public Defender Service in Washington, D.C.) and Blase Schmid Kearney (a clinical professor at the University of Texas at Austin School of Law who teaches a criminal defense clinic and was previously a supervisor at the Neighborhood Defender Service in Detroit). Come hear their powerful and inspiring stories!
How to Handle the Public Defender Interview - Part 2 - Simulations & Hypotheticals
Date: Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Time: 11:55 AM – 12:55 PM
Location: Hutchins Hall Room 138
In the second part of this two-part event, we will address simulations and hypotheticals. Many public defense employers will pose ethical hypotheticals during the initial interview or they will put you in simulated court appearance or client-counseling sessions to see how you react. Hypotheticals and simulations can be scary if you are not prepared for them. So bring a lunch and come learn how to handle these kinds of questions and exercises so you can put your best foot forward during public defender interviews.
MDefenders September Monthly Meeting
Date: Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Time: 11:55 AM – 12:55 PM
Location: Hutchins Hall Room 250
Each month the MDefenders group comes together to talk and learn about subjects particular to public defenders. Our September meeting is entitled “The Things that Happened in Your Summer Internships in Public Defender Offices: What Surprised You, Terrified You, and Inspired You?" 2L and 3L members will share experiences from their summer internships, and we will process them together. You do not need to have spent time in a public defender office to attend this meeting. We encourage 1Ls who are public-defender curious to come and learn a bit more about what it is like to work in a public defense office. Lunch from Jerusalem Garden will be served!
Mentorship Program: Applications Open
Date: Friday, September 5, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM
Applications open today for MDefenders 2Ls, 3Ls, and LLMs to be mentors to interested 1L MDefenders members as part of our mentorship program. The Mentorship Chairs will distribute an online form via email that interested potential mentors and mentees can complete. Applications close on Friday, September 12. Pairings will be announced on Monday, September 22.
Kick-Off Event: Come Learn About Public Defense and the MDefenders Organization
Date: Thursday, September 11, 2025
Time: 7:00 PM – 9:30 PM
Location: Hutchins Hall Room 250
Join MLaw students interested in criminal justice reform and public defense for a discussion with current public defenders about why they love the work that they do. Practicing attorneys from the Neighborhood Defender Service in Detroit (NDS) and Professor Sofia Nelson, recently of NDS, will talk about their experiences as public defenders on a panel moderated by Professor Primus. Professor Primus will also discuss the MDefenders organization here at MLaw. After the panel, students will have time to enjoy food from Ma Lou’s while getting to know each other and the panelists.
Mock Interviews with Professor Nelson
Date: Monday, September 15, 2025
Time: 11:00 AM – 6:15 PM
Location: Zoom
If you would like to moot an upcoming interview you can sign up here for a 30 minute slot to practice with Professor Nelson. If there is greater demand than the slots allow, Professor Nelson will set aside additional space in the future.
September Coffee Chat
Date: Thursday, September 18, 2025
Time: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Location: K&E Café
Every month, MDefenders hosts informal coffee chats in the K&E Café. Stop by for a drink (on us!), to solicit advice, or simply to enjoy time with other members of the MDefenders community.
Social Event: Welcome Back Happy Hour
Date: Thursday, September 18, 2025
Time: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Dominick’s, 812 Monroe Street
Happy hour at Dominick’s (individually funded). Come catch up with old friends or take this opportunity to make new ones. 1Ls definitely welcome to come and learn more about MDefenders!
1L Representative Application Opens
Date: Monday, September 22, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM
1Ls interested in being involved with the MDefenders Board can apply to be a 1L Representative! Applications will be accepted until September 29.
Public Defender Curious? A Panel Discussion of Different Types of Defense Work
Date: Monday September 22, 2025
Time: 11:55 AM – 12:55 PM
Location: Hutchins Hall Room 138
The day-to-day work of a public defender can look very different depending on the type of defense service provided. Join MDefenders for a panel of guests as they discuss the differences between state and federal practice; trial, appellate, and post-conviction work; juvenile and adult work; and criminal and family defense. Pizza will be served.
Mentorship Program: Pairings Announced
Date: Monday, September 22, 2025
Time: 3:00 PM
After reviewing mentor and mentee applications, the Mentorship Chairs will release information to each mentor about the mentee they are paired with, as well as instructions to reach out and introduce themselves! Keep an eye out for our Mentorship Kickoff event on Friday, September 26.
Mentorship Kickoff Event: Meet Your Mentor/Mentee
Date: Friday, September 26, 2025
Time: 4:30 PM – 5:30PM
Location: Hutchins Hall Courtyard (entrance across from HH138)
One of the key parts of the MDefenders experience is building a relationship with a mentor or mentee. Our 2Ls and 3Ls are so excited to bond with our 1L members who are exploring the world of public defense. Join us to meet your mentor or mentee in person for the first time! Assorted snacks and drinks will be served, with dairy- and gluten-free options.
1L Representative Applications Close
Date: Monday, September 29, 2025
Time: 4:30 PM
Applications for 1L Representative will close at 4:30 PM today! Decisions will be released on October 3rd.
1L Representative(s) Announced
Date: Friday, October 3, 2025
The MDefenders Board will announce the 1L Representatives selected for the 2025-26 year!
Public Defender on Campus Interviewing Week
Date: Monday, October 6 – Friday, October 10, 2025
Because we have such a robust aspiring public defender community here at Michigan Law and because many public defense employers want to hire our students and graduates, we are hosting our own Public Defender Interview Week. Public Defender offices from near and far will come to Michigan Law this week both in person and virtually to interview 2L and 3L students for summer and permanent jobs. You will need to bid on interviews with these offices one week before each office comes in order to be considered. If you are a 2L or 3L student interested in working for any of these employers, you don't want to miss the deadline to submit your materials. Look for MDefenders emails with further details about how to register.
Dialogue With Defenders (Part 1)
Date: Tuesday, October 7, 2025
Time: 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Location: Hutchins Hall Courtyard (Rain location is HH 218)
Stop by to meet and chat with public defenders who are here for Public Defender Interviewing Week. This is a great opportunity for MDefenders students to get to know individuals on public defender hiring committees at these offices and also have a chance to learn more about their offices and their work.
Dialogue With Defenders (Part 2)
Date: Thursday, October 9, 2025
Time: 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM
Location: Hutchins Hall Courtyard (Rain location is HH 132)
Stop by to meet and chat with public defenders who are here for Public Defender Interviewing Week. This is a great opportunity for MDefenders students to get to know individuals on public defender hiring committees at these offices and also have a chance to learn more about their offices and their work.
Equal Justice Works Career Fair
Dates: Thursday October 16, 2024 – Saturday October 18, 2025
The Equal Justice Works Career Fair is the largest public interest legal career fair in the country, bringing together hundreds of law students, recent graduates, public interest employers, law school faculty and staff, and public interest practitioners from across the United States and its territories for prescheduled interviews, informal “table talk" discussions, and networking opportunities. This year the Career Fair will be held virtually. For more information, visit the Equal Justice Works website.
Course Selection Advice for Students Interested in Public Defense
Date: Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Time: 11:55 AM – 12: 55 PM
Location: Hutchins Hall Room 138
Bring a lunch and come learn more about the different course offerings—which classes and clinics you should take if you want to do indigent defense. 2L & 3L MDefenders will talk to you about different classes (and the different professors who teach them) so this is your chance to ask all of those questions. They will also spend some time discussing the available 1L electives for second semester.
MDefenders October Monthly Meeting: How to Advocate for Your Client When the Judge is Being Difficult
Date: Thursday October 23, 2025
Time: 11:55 AM – 12:55 PM
Location: Hutchins Hall Room 138
Each month the MDefenders group comes together to talk and learn about subjects particular to public defenders. Please join us for our October meeting. This month we will discuss strategies for advocating when the judge is being difficult. Curry On will be served.
Social Event: Bonfire/BBQ & Lawn Games
Date: Thursday, October 23, 2025
Location: TBD
Time: 6:30 PM-9:00PM
Join your fellow MDefenders members for a bonfire and BBQ and lawn games. Check weekly MDefenders emails for location.
October Coffee Chat
Date: Monday October 27, 2025
Time: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Location: K& E Café
Every month, MDefenders hosts informal coffee chats in the K&E Café. Stop by for a drink (on us!), to solicit advice, or simply to enjoy time with other members of the MDefenders community.
How to Get Your First Summer Job in a Public Defender Office
Date: Thursday, October 30, 2025
Time: 11:55 AM – 12:55 PM
Location: Hutchins Hall Room 138
How do you figure out where to apply if you want to work in a public defender office for the summer? How many offices should you apply to? How are they different? When do you apply? And what do you submit as part of the application process? 2L & 3L MDefenders will talk to you about what different public defender summer experiences are like and explain the application process to you. So bring a lunch and come meet us to talk about getting that first public defender job.
Social Event: Game Night
Date: Wednesday, November 6, 2025
Location: TBD
Time: 6:30 PM-9:00PM
Join your fellow MDefenders members for game night. Check weekly MDefenders emails for location.
November Coffee Chat
Date: Tuesday November 11, 2025
Time: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Location: K& E Café
Every month, MDefenders hosts informal coffee chats in the K&E Café. Stop by for a drink (on us!), to solicit advice, or simply to enjoy time with other members of the MDefenders community.
MDefenders November Monthly Meeting: Investigation (with Managing Attorney at the King County Department of Public Defense in Seattle Ben Goldsmith)
Date: Friday, November 14, 2025
Time: 11:55 AM – 12:55 PM
Location: Jeffries Hall Room 1020
Managing attorney at the King County Department of Public Defense in Seattle and MDefenders Alum Ben Goldsmith will give a lunch talk on working with investigators and ensuring that you conduct an effective investigation in your cases. Ben is uniquely suited to discuss this important topic because, in addition to being a long-time public defender, Ben was an investigator at the Public Defender Service in D.C. before he became an attorney. Lunch from Jamaican Jerk Pit will be provided.
Crimmigration Talk (with Assistant Federal Defender at the Federal Community Defender in Detroit, Daniel Deña)
Date: Tuesday November 25, 2025
Time: 11:55 AM – 12:55 PM
Location: Jeffries Hall Room 1020
Assistant federal defender and MDefenders Alum Daniel Deña will give a lunch talk on the intersections of immigration and criminal law. In addition to working extensively on immigration issues as a federal defender, Daniel previously worked as a public defender at the Texas RioGrande Legal Aid Office near the U.S.-Mexico border and has extensive experience with the intersection of immigration and criminal law. He will introduce you to a bunch of relevant crimmigration terminology, talk about counseling clients around immigration consequences, and discuss best practices for representing non-citizens in today’s climate. Lunch from Jerusalem Garden will be served.
December Coffee Chat
Date: Monday December 1, 2025
Time: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Location: K& E Café
Every month, MDefenders hosts informal coffee chats in the K&E Café. Stop by for a drink (on us!), to solicit advice, or simply to enjoy time with other members of the MDefenders community.