NYS Unified Court System-Suffolk County Summer Internship

The 10th Judicial District, Suffolk County (“Suffolk Courts”) is one of 13 judicial districts across the State of New York. The Suffolk Courts have 13 courthouses across the county with over 100 judges, referees, and magistrates, and over 1,000 nonjudicial employees. In a calendar year, the Suffolk Courts hear around 150,000 cases including matters in the criminal, civil, family, and surrogate courts. Additionally, the Suffolk Courts employ a variety of specialty “problem-solving courts” that use innovative and tailored methods to tackle the underlying issues that bring people into our courts (e.g., Drug Court, Mental Health Court, Veterans Court, etc.). The Suffolk
Courts operate some of the busiest civil, criminal, and family court parts within New York State. The Suffolk Courts Summer Internship Program offers motivated students an educational experience that introduces them to the workings of the Unified Court System and generally acclimates them to the legal system.

Associate Interns: Undergraduate students serve as “Associate Interns.” They will be assigned to a staff of court attorneys and will be expected to attend the program each day from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with a built-in lunch break (exceptions can be arranged depending upon a student’s personal circumstances). Associate Interns will be provided a robust program schedule that offers special opportunities to visit and observe all of Suffolk County’s unique court parts. Students will be immersed in the day-to-day operations of the courts and will learn firsthand about the important roles of many different court employees.

Associate Interns will be assigned to regularly report to the John P. Cohalan, Jr. Court Complex at 400 Carleton Avenue in Central Islip.

QUALIFICATIONS:
Priority consideration will be given to completed applications received on or before Monday, March 3, 2025. All applications received thereafter will be accepted on a rolling basis subject to available space. Students should have an interest in working in the public sector and should also demonstrate a strong background in academics and civics.

HOW TO APPLY:
Interested students may apply by submitting an email to Joseph Benedetto at suffolkinterns@nycourts.gov with an attached cover letter and resume, and law students must also submit a writing sample that is limited to 5 pages in length. Students should state in the cover letter their career goals and any specific interest in area(s) of law. The deadline to apply for positions in the program is Friday, April 18, 2025.

COMPENSATION:
This is an unpaid internship (positions are eligible for Federal Work Study Grant funding).

By Reed Srere
Reed Srere Senior Associate Director