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Things that get you hired in defense

• A criminal defense clinic

  Law school clinics let students appear in court under supervision. Defender offices hire out of them.

• A public defender internship

  The single strongest line on a defense resume, and it tells you fast whether you can stand the work.

• Trial advocacy competitions

  Mock trial teams teach the mechanics: opening, cross examination, objections.

• A judicial clerkship

  A year working for a judge after graduation. It teaches you how decisions actually get made.