The Michigan Appellate Assigned Counsel System (MAACS), the Private Counsel Division of SADO, seeks law students committed to public service, racial equity, and social justice for internship and externship opportunities during the Summer of 2026

MAACS is responsible for the recruitment, training, and oversight of private attorneys who accept court appointed appeals from the state’s circuit courts. MAACS roster attorneys handle thousands of appellate assignments across the state each year, including direct appeals, motions for relief from judgment, and juvenile lifer resentencings.

Working under the supervision of MAACS Roster Support and Performance Manager, Stephanie Farkas, students will work with MAACS roster attorneys on all aspects of appellate representation. Work will include transcript and discovery review, client counseling and investigation of client concerns, document collection, mitigation, legal research, and the drafting of pleadings. Oral advocacy is possible as students may potentially appear in court, consistent with MCR 8.120. Because Michigan has a unique criminal appellate process which allows for factual development on direct appeal, interns have an opportunity to work in both trial and appellate courts, and to attend trial court hearings and Court of Appeals arguments.

To apply, please submit a single PDF with a letter of interest, resume, and writing sample, to Ms. Farkas at sfarkas@sado.org. Please have your subject line read “MAACS Summer Internship Application.” Your cover letter should indicate why you want to be part of the MAACS team and work for our clients. Please direct all questions to Ms. Farkas. 

The deadline for applications is Friday, April 3, 2026 and more information is available here. 

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