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Internship Opportunities
Trial Court Administrator’s Office
26th Judicial District of North Carolina

The Trial Court Administrator’s (TCA) Office supports the Senior Resident Superior Court Judge and Chief District Court Judge in the overall management of the 26th Judicial District.
Interns with the TCA’s Office will meet members of the local Bar and judiciary, get an insider’s perspective on the judicial process, learn more about responsibilities and opportunities in the legal profession, improve general office skills, add valuable experience to their resumes, and make a positive contribution to the community.
Unpaid internship opportunities are available year-round, Monday through Friday, in the following divisions of the TCA's Office: Caseflow Management, Community Access and Outreach, Family Court Administration, Judicial Support, Operations, and SelfServe Center. Times are flexible.

Caseflow Management

The Caseflow Management Division is responsible for the timely tracking and management of cases across civil superior court, civil district court, criminal superior court, and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) programs. Interns will gain valuable exposure to court operations and caseflow management while supporting the division through a variety of administrative and project-based tasks. This internship provides hands-on experience in a fast-paced environment and offers insight into how courts manage caseloads efficiently and in accordance with established standards.
Responsibilities may include:
⧫ General clerical support
⧫ Assisting with the development of public-facing information
⧫ Supporting special projects or court-related events
⧫ Reviewing case records to assist with case cleanup efforts
⧫ Reviewing case records to ensure accuracy and completeness
Education and Experience
This opportunity is well-suited for students pursuing degrees in psychology, paralegal studies, criminal justice, pre-law, political science, public administration, business, court administration, or related fields who are interested in public service and the administration of justice.

Community Access and Outreach

The Community Access and Outreach Division is responsible for public information, community engagement, and ensuring meaningful access to court services. This division develops and implements programs to educate the public about the court system through tours, in-person events, panel discussions, and digital platforms, including social media. The division also coordinates disability access accommodations and ensures consistent public-facing messaging and branding across the organization. This internship provides a unique opportunity to observe and contribute to how courts engage with the public, enhance transparency, and ensure accessibility.
Responsibilities may include:
⧫ General clerical support
⧫ Assisting with the development of public-facing materials
⧫ Supporting special projects and court-related events involving community members
⧫ Collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to assist with coordinating disability access requests and accommodations
⧫ Facilitating guided tours of the courthouse
Education and Experience
This opportunity is well-suited for students pursuing degrees in technology, public information, communications, psychology, political science, public administration, business, court administration, or related fields who are interested in public service and community engagement.

Family Court Administration

The primary goals of the Family Court are to consolidate multiple cases involving the same family before the same judge; to improve the efficiency of the court process for domestic cases; and to link litigants with community resources for treatment, counseling, or other human services.
Responsibilities
⧫ General clerical support
⧫ Collecting and analyzing data from court records to assist with program evaluation
⧫ Reviewing court records to support case cleanup efforts
⧫ Assisting with the development of public-facing information
⧫ Supporting special projects and court-related events
Education and Experience
This opportunity is well-suited for students pursuing degrees in sociology, social work, psychology, pre-law, political science, public administration, paralegal studies, or related fields who are interested in family law and the administration of justice.

Judicial Support

The Judicial Support Division is responsible for providing direct administrative and operational support to district and superior court judges in the 26th Judicial District (Mecklenburg County), including visiting judges from other counties. This division plays a key role in ensuring judges are supported in their daily functions through coordination, communication, and efficient management of judicial workflows. The Judicial Support Division is responsible for scheduling meetings on behalf of judges, managing correspondence, facilitating the timely receipt and processing of orders for judicial review, and coordinating the weekly assignment of judges to courtrooms and ensuring that scheduling information is distributed. This internship provides valuable experience in judicial administration and offers a unique opportunity to observe how courts operate at the judicial level.
Responsibilities may include:
⧫ General clerical support
⧫Assisting with special projects and court-related events
⧫ Tracking the status of orders to support timely processing and case progression
Education and Experience
This opportunity is well-suited for students pursuing degrees psychology, paralegal studies, criminal justice, pre-law, political science, public administration, business, court administration, or related fields who are interested in court operations and judicial support.

Operations Division

The Operations Division is responsible for facilitating and ensuring the efficient day-to-day operation of the Trial Court Administrator’s Office and the courts. This division oversees key functional areas of court operations, including jury management, human resources, technology, and facilities. This internship offers a broad perspective on how essential administrative functions contribute to the effective operation of the courts.
Responsibilities may include:
⧫ General clerical support
⧫ Assisting jury coordinators with administrative tasks, such as supporting juror orientation, responding to phone inquiries, and processing requests for excusal or deferral from jury service
⧫Assisting with special projects and court-related events, including events such as Juror Appreciation Week
⧫Assisting the Operations Administrator with special projects and operational initiatives
Education and Experience
This opportunity is well-suited for students pursuing degrees in english, criminal justice, sociology, political science, paralegal studies, technology, business administration, public administration, human resources, or related fields who are interested in court operations and public service.

SelfServe Center

The TCA’s Office offers internship opportunities within the SelfServe Center, one of the few centers operating within a courthouse in North Carolina dedicated to assisting self-represented litigants. The SelfServe Center provides critical support by helping individuals navigate the court system, identify the appropriate forms for their legal matters, and access reliable information and resources. Interns will gain meaningful, hands-on experience working directly with members of the public while supporting access to justice initiatives. This internship offers a unique opportunity to support individuals navigating the court system while gaining insight into court processes and the challenges faced by self-represented litigants.
Responsibilities
⧫ Responding to inquiries from self-represented litigants in person, by phone, and by email
⧫ Assisting individuals in identifying the appropriate forms for their case type and providing general procedural guidance and instructions
⧫Coordinating referrals to attorneys and community resources when appropriate
⧫Assisting with special projects and court-related events
⧫ Collecting and tracking data on the number and types of litigants served
⧫Updating public-facing materials and instructional resources for self-represented litigants to ensure clarity and accessibility
Education and Experience
This opportunity is well-suited for students pursuing degrees in criminal justice, political science, public administration, pre-law, paralegal studies, social work, communications, or related fields who are interested in access to justice and public service.