DOAR Summer Internship

John Jay College of Criminal Justice and DOAR, Inc., are thrilled to announce an expanded partnership made possible through DOAR’s generous investment in the academic and professional success of John Jay student scholars enrolled in the MA and the Psychology & Law PhD Programs. The newly established DOAR Trial Consulting Partnership Fund will advance students’ knowledge of the trial consultancy field and build a robust pipeline of graduate students who want to make trial consultancy and/or jury research their careers. As part of this partnership, one MA student and one PhD student will have the opportunity to complete a summer internship working at DOAR. The stipend for the internship is $10,000.

 

About DOAR: 

  • DOAR is one of the nation’s leading trial consulting companies, providing critical insight and strategic advice to lawyers at top-tier law firms and major corporations involved in high-stakes, complex legal disputes.
  • DOAR offers specialized services to assist attorneys/clients in communicating their cases most effectively—through research, visual storytelling, and strategic evidence presentation. This agency combines insights from psychology, law, and design to understand how jurors think, how evidence is perceived, and how stories are best told in the courtroom to drive better outcomes.
  • The field of trial consulting broadly involves 1) research pertaining to juries, trials, and decision making; 2) graphics design and consultation; and 3) strategic evidence presentation. 

Details and Eligibility: 

  • Enrolled in the Forensic Psych MA program, FMHC MA program, or the Psychology and Law PhD program.
  • Total number of internship hours: 400
  • Primary Supervisor: Natalie Gordon, Ph.D.
  • This is a hybrid internship position.
  • Please note: This is an intensive position requiring 30-40 hours per week over the course of approximately 10 weeks.

Interns will gain experience in one or more of the following areas: 

  1. Research pertaining to juries, trials, and decision making. Duties and responsibilities may include:
  • Attending mock trials and focus groups, creating surveys and questionnaires, and/or jury profiling
  • Assisting with data analysis and/or manuscript preparation
  1. Graphics design and consultation. Duties and responsibilities may include:
  • Developing an understanding of strategic and persuasive graphics in the legal context
  • Translating this understanding to assist in the design of visual aids (e.g., flowcharts, illustrations, or interactive exhibits) for use in legal proceedings
  1. Strategic evidence presentation. Duties and responsibilities may include:
  • Researching best practices for strategic evidence presentation
  • Assisting with the organization of evidence using empirically supported strategies 

Ideal Opportunity for those seeking:

  • Experience integrating social science research with practical trial strategy
  • Exposure to real-world cases and the litigation process
  • Mentorship from experienced trial consultants and design professionals
  • A deeper understanding of how jurors think and how stories shape courtroom outcomes
  • A future career in trial consulting or related fields

Application Requirements: 

  • Cover Letter demonstrating a clear interest in trial consulting
  • CV
  • Writing sample
  • Letter of Recommendation
  • Please send your application materials in a single PDF document to DOARpsychlaw@jjay.cuny.edu
  • The subject line should read: Paid Summer Internship Application

Selection Process and Timeline: 

  • Applications are due by March 21st. No late applications will be accepted.
  • Select students will be invited to interview with John Jay faculty by 4/15/26.
  • Second and final round meeting will be held by DOAR supervisor by 5/1/26. Decisions by 5/15/26.
  • Internship will take place over the summer.