Student Opportunities

Students interested in law clerk positions should contact the offices directly.

Telephone: (707) 464-7210

Web Address: http://www.co.del-norte.ca.us/departments/district-attorney

This county contracts out its public defender work. Interested students and graduates should contact the below office to inquire about law clerk or attorney positions.

Rebecca Linkous

Telephone: (707) 464-4500

Email: rebecca@rlinkouslaw.com

The El Dorado County DA currently hires both 1L and 2L students for summer positions. To apply for an unpaid summer internship, please email your resume, cover letter and any supplemental materials to ADA James Clinchard at james.clinchard@edcgov.us by January.

Students interested in law clerk positions should contact the individual offices directly. Check the county’s Human Resources website for attorney job postings. For more information, contact Teri Monterosso at the Shingle Springs office.

Shingle Springs Office 

Telephone: (530)621-6440

South Lake Tahoe Office

Telephone: (530) 573-7955 

Law students not yet qualified to be certified will be assigned to a prosecution unit within the office where they will be involved in legal research and writing projects. Students will accompany prosecutors to court and assist in the preparation of felony and misdemeanor prosecutions and observe preliminary hearings, trials, and other court proceedings.

Certified Law Students will be assigned to a prosecution unit where they will research and write motions that they may then argue in court, conduct felony preliminary hearings and misdemeanor prosecutions, and assist the prosecutors in court and in the office. The students will experience what it is like to be a prosecutor. All interns are required to commit to the program for a minimum of six weeks. Additional time in the program is strongly suggested.

Intern candidates must submit a cover letter, resume, grade transcripts and a 5-10 page writing sample. Submit the required documents in a single .pdf file to Traci Fritzler-Kirkorian at tfritzler-kirkorian@fresnocountyca.gov or Stacey Phillips at sphillips@fresnocountyca.gov.

Fresno County Public Defender’s Office does not accept volunteer interns that are not enrolled in a school-sponsored internship program. 

Students interested in law clerk position should contact the office directly.

Telephone: (530) 934-6525

Web Address: http://www.countyofglenn.net/govt/departments/district_attorney/

Glenn county contracts out its public defender work. Interested students and graduates should contact Albert Smith to inquire about law clerk or attorney positions.

Albert Smith 

Telephone: (530) 458- 8801

Email: albertsmithlaw@yahoo.com 

Students Interested in law clerk positions should contact District Attorney Maggie Fleming at districtattorney@cohumboldt.ca.us.

This office accepts 1L, 2L and 3L law students for volunteer internships for the fall, spring, and summer. Interested students should contact Stacey Costa, Legal office Business Manager at (707) 476-1258 or mail cover letter, resume and writing sample to Stacey Costa at the below address. NOTE: this office also handles dependency court matters.

PUBLIC DEFENDER

Mailing Address: 1001 Fourth Street Eureka, CA 95501

Telephone: (707) 445-7634 

Imperial County does not currently have a program for current law school students. However, there is occasionally a need for interns, and students interested in an internship should contact the office directly.

Telephone: (442) 265-1184

Web Address: http://www.co.imperial.ca.us/districtattorney/index.html

Contact: Dora Alverado, doraalverado@co.imperial.ca.us

The office has no structured program, but will hire volunteers, space permitting. Inquire about opportunities by contacting Benjamin Solario, Public Defender at (760) 482-4510 or benjaminsolario@co.imperial.ca.us.

The District Attorney’s Office of Inyo County offers volunteer student internships. Please call the office to inquire about student internships. The District Attorney’s Office of Inyo County will consider requests from students interested in volunteer student internships, but does not maintain a formal internship program.

Telephone: (760) 878-0282

Inyo county contracts out its public defender work. Interested students and graduates should contact the below office to inquire about law clerk or attorney positions.

Inyo County Administrative Officer – Elizabeth Corpora

Website: www.countyofinyo.org

Telephone: (760) 872-8226 

Interested students and graduates should contact the office directly to inquire about law clerk or attorney positions.

For Student Law Clerk Positions, contact Melissa Allen, Supervising Deputy District Attorney, mallen@co.kern.ca.us.

Students interested in law clerk positions should contact the offices directly.

CHIEF DEPUTY PUBLIC DEFENDER: Peter Kang

Telephone: (661) 868-4799

Website: www.co.kern.ca.us/pubdef/default.asp pubdef-web@co.kern.ca.us

Interested Law Students should contact the office directly to inquire about legal internship opportunities.

Telephone: (559) 582-0326

The court in this county appoints a number of private attorneys to act as public defenders. Ms. Gilbert serves as the administrator for the panel of contracted attorneys.

Marianne Gilbert, Esq., Contracts Administrator 

Telephone: (559) 816-2997

Email: mblibertesq@gmail.com

Interested students and graduates should contact the office to inquire about law clerk or attorney positions.

Telephone: (707) 263-2251

Lake County does not have a Public Defender, but appoints private attorneys on a contract basis. Interested graduates should contact Angela Carter by phone to inquire about law clerk or attorney positions. They have no formal program, but Lake County is open to considering a limited number of volunteer law clerks.

Angela Carter, Contract Attorney

Telephone: (707) 245-4727

1L and 2L students are eligible to volunteer as a law clerk during the summer. Volunteer law clerks are placed in offices where they will be involved primarily in legal research-related assignments in specialized units and divisions located in the Downtown Los Angeles area and outlying branch and area offices. Click here for more information. 

The office accepts approximately 30 full-time summer interns. First and second year students are eligible to apply. They accept approximately 20 school year externs from 2L and 3L students. Click here for more details on summer and externship positions.

Madera County exclusively interviews 2L students for summer internships and only participates in OCI locally. The application deadline for consideration is April 15th. When applying, students will be asked to submit references and a writing sample. Interviews are conducted during the month of May. Madera County does extend post-grad employment offers to 2L summer interns and interviews 3L student for post-grad positions. Interviews for 3L students are also conducted in May. There is also a post-bar program for recent graduates.

Students interested in law clerk positions should contact DA Sally O. Moreno at (559) 675-7726.

This county contracts out its public defender work. Interested students and graduates should contact the firm below to inquire about law clerk or attorney positions.

CHIEF DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Craig Collins

Richard A. Ciummo & Associates

Telephone: (559) 674-4696

Email: admin@ciummolaw.com

The Marin County District Attorney’s Office will offer California State Bar legally certified interns an opportunity to work in our office under the supervision of one of our regular-hire deputy district attorneys. The permitted scope of work will be limited to providing legal research assistance which may include the preparation of legal briefs and assistance in case preparation. The certified legal intern shall not be permitted to make court appearances, handle calendar appearances, or conduct and participate in hearings or trials. Any deputy district attorney may refer any interested law student to the Chief Deputy District Attorney for information on becoming a certified legal intern in this office. If a deputy district attorney has been in communication with a certified legal intern who is interested in working in our office, the deputy district attorney shall notify and review the potential certified legal intern with the Chief Deputy District Attorney to obtain approval before the legal intern commences his or her work assignments. It shall be required that any legal intern working in our office be certified under the California State Bar regulations and be supervised consistent with the Bar’s guidelines and required procedures. All internships are UNPAID.

Interested law students may submit a cover letter and resume to Chief Deputy District Attorney Rosemary Slote at rslote@marincounty.org.

The office accepts 1L and 2L students for summer law clerk positions. These are volunteer positions. The summer program will involve client interviewing, legal research, court appearances (motions, trials, bail reviews) for certified law students, and colleague mentoring. They plan to hire 3-6 students, who will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities including ride-alongs, court hearings, and client interviews. They would like a minimum commitment of 25-40 hours a week.

Applications for summer law clerk positions may be sent electronically. Submit a cover letter, resume, and transcript to Pedro Oliveros, Deputy Public Defender at poliveros@marincounty.org, or call (415) 473-6331. A writing sample may also be useful.

Any year student (1L or 2L) interested in law clerk positions should contact the office directly. Check the county’s Human Resources website for attorney job postings. Internships are paid and are available only if there is a need in the office. Applications are taken on a rolling basis after preliminary contact with the DA office.

Telephone: (209) 966-3626

E-Mail: mcda@mariposacounty.org

This county contracts out its public defender work. Interested students should contact the county’s Personnel Department to inquire about the possibility of volunteering.

Website: www.mariposacounty.org

Students interested in law clerk positions should contact the office directly.

Telephone: (707) 463-4211

E-Mail: da@co.mendocino.ca.us

They do not have a formal summer program. Interested students and graduates should contact the below office to inquire about law clerk or attorney positions.

PUBLIC DEFENDER: Linda Thompson

Telephone: (707) 463-5433

Website: http://www.co.mendocino.ca.us/pubdef/

Students interested in law clerk positions should contact the offices directly. There is no defined internship program, but the office usually has one paid internship position as well as unpaid positions depending on need.

Telephone: (209) 385-7381

E-Mail: dainfo@co.merced.ca.us

If you would like more information please contact Chief Deputy Public Defender Vincent Andrade at vandrade@co.merced.ca.us.

Students interested in law clerk positions should contact the offices directly.

Telephone: (530) 233-6212

E-Mail: da@co.modoc.ca.us

This county contracts out its public defender work. Interested students and graduates can call the firm below to inquire about law clerk or attorney positions.

CHIEF DEFENSE ATTORNEY: Sam Kyllo

Richard A. Ciummo & Associates

Telephone: (530) 233-2474

Website: http://www.ciummolaw.com/index.html

Email: admin@ciummolaw.com

Applicants interested in student internships should contact District Attorney Tim Kendall directly to inquire about current opportunities.

Telephone: (760) 932-5550

E-Mail: districtattorney@mono.ca.gov

Mono County contracts out its public defender work. Interested students and graduates can contact David Hammon to inquire about law clerk or attorney positions, at hammon52@yahoo.com.

Individuals who have completed their first year of law school qualify to volunteer in this office. The only requirement is an interest and willingness to commit to whatever arrangement is made between the student and the prosecutor. This office describes itself as very flexible and willing to work around the student’s schedule. Interested parties should download, complete and send a volunteer/intern application (http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/da/pdfs/davolunteerform.pdf) along with a cover letter, a copy of their resume and a writing sample to Ms. Hall via email at halls@co.monterey.ca.us. All applicants are required to complete and successfully pass a civilian background investigation prior to acceptance. Receipt of background results can take approximately 2- 4 weeks.

This office does not have a formal internship program, but will take legal interns and law clerks on a volunteer basis. Send a cover letter explaining your interest in Monterey County Public Defender’s Office and a resume to Donald Landis at landisde@co.monterey.ca.us, (831)784-5651. Mr. Landis interviews candidates each year at the Northern California Public Interest/Public Sector Day in January.

The Napa County District Attorney’s Office accepts year-round applications for 2L Summer Law Clerkships, and Spring and Fall Post-Bar Clerkships. Our office tailors each program to clerks’ exam schedules, but the typical program length is 10 weeks, and clerks work 40 hours per week. Under attorney supervision, clerks may conduct evidentiary hearings in both misdemeanor and felony cases, respond to motions, assist with research and writing assignments, and handle (either on their own or with an attorney) misdemeanor trials. Clerks also have the opportunity to attend various trainings and other specialty assignments such as parole hearings.

Clerks will be evaluated for future employment with our office. If interested, please submit a résumé and cover letter to Deputy District Attorney Katy Yount at katy.yount@countyofnapa.org.

The Napa Valley Register published an insightful article about the Law Clerk Program in 2018: Napa County DA Launches mentorship program for aspiring prosecutors, June 12, 2018 (PDF).

Our office offers internships and volunteer positions for law students, college students and high school students during the school year or summer. This is an excellent opportunity to observe and participate in Napa’s active legal system. Currently we do not offer paid internships; however, grants and scholarships for public interest positions like this are widely available. Interested students should contact the office to inquire about internships. For more information contact Terry Davis tdavis@co.napa.ca.us, please be prepared to provide a resume, writing sample and references.

Certified law students work under the supervision of District Attorneys and make court appearances. Efforts are made to assign one jury trial to a Law Clerk. Additionally, the office reviews and corrects Law Clerk application materials and sets up mock interviews to prepare exiting Law Clerks for interviews with District Attorney offices. The office hires Law Clerks throughout the academic year and during the summer. The office typically has one law clerk, but can take up to three. The office gives preference to second year law students eligible for certification by the California State Bar. Interested students may contact the office at District.Attorney@co.nevada.ca.us. Applicants offered a law clerk position will be required to successfully pass a drug test (which tests for marijuana) and a background check.

The Nevada County Public Defender’s Office has a volunteer internship program. Interested law students should contact Public Defender Keri Klein at keri.klein@co.nevada.ca.us. Alternately, students may send their cover letter, resume, and references to Keri Klein.

2L students interested in full-time volunteer law clerk positions should apply directly. There are 19 prosecutorial units where clerks can work. Clerks are assigned to one unit for the summer based on need and clerk’s preference. The application process is to email cover letter and resume to director-lciprogram@da.ocgov.com. The application deadline will be sometime in March. Once the office receives emailed application, they will review materials, schedule phone or Skype interviews and make offers shortly after interviews. Please note that the Orange County DA only conduct local OCI interviews at Southern California schools. At this time, OCDA does not extend post-grad employment offers to 2L summer interns.

The office accepts 1Ls and 2Ls for volunteer summer internships. Certification is not required. Summer hours can be part-time or full-time. Students can apply for summer internships. They accept 2Ls and 3Ls for academic year externships. Certification is not required. Students can apply for externships at any time throughout the year. Click here for more information. 

Students interested in law clerk positions should contact the offices directly.

Telephone: (916) 543-8000

Email: infopdcda@placer.ca.gov

This county’s services are provided by a private contractor. They hire only senior felony level attorneys. Resumes may be directed to jobs@publicdefender.com. For further information, contact Mr. Hans Viken at the number listed below.

Telephone: (916) 644-1100

First year students may apply, but there is a preference for second year students who are eligible for certification by the California State Bar. Submit a resume, cover letter and three references to David Hollister, District Attorney at DavidHollister@countyofplumas.com. The office will contact applicants who it wants to conduct phone interviews with. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Plumas County contracts out its public defender work. Interested students and graduates should contact the below attorneys to inquire about law clerk or attorney positions.

Bill Abramson; Telephone: (530) 283-2410

Doug Prouty; Telephone: (530) 283-1179

Robert Zernich; Telephone: (530) 283-1010

The district attorney recruits first- and second- year law students for summer externships and third-year law students for post-bar clerking positions. The district attorney seeks students with a demonstrated commitment to excellence and community service. The district attorney believes excellence in prosecution can only be achieved by ethical, assertive, articulate, persuasive advocates with high levels of initiative, creativity, maturity, work ethic, and good judgement and who are willing to use those abilities for the public good. Applications are sought from students who have had an active participation in law school and law related activities and who are committed to excellence in accepting personal responsibility for cases of importance.

On-campus interviews are normally scheduled at most Southern California accredited law schools. Each January and February the office participates in the Northern California Public Interest Public Career Day (typically held at UC Hastings) and the Southern California Public Interest/Public Sector Career Day (typically held at UCLA). Students attending other law schools or that are unable to attend a career fair are invited to submit their resumes and cover letters for externships to the extern recruitment coordinator at externshipprogram@RivCoDA.org. These applications are accepted on a rolling basis. A list of positions that are currently available can be obtained from the county’s Human Resources Web Page. All positions require that a resume be submitted to Human Resources online via their web site.

The Riverside DA extends post-grad employment offers to 2L summer clerks, budget permitting. While 3L students are interviewed for post-grad employment, the DA prefers to hire out of 2L summer interns.

Web Address: http://rivcoda.org/opencms/daoffice/employment.html

The goal of our law clerk program is to help law students make the transition from the class room to the court room. Our office strives to create an environment that is conducive to learning and gaining as much practical experience as possible. To accomplish this goal our law clerks receive a three-day introductory orientation focusing on the processes of the office, ethics of the legal profession, trial advocacy, and general instruction in criminal defense. Additionally, law clerks participate in weekly interactive trial advocacy workshops developing and practicing skills such as jury voir dire, cross examination, and building effective opening statements and closing arguments. In addition, our clerks can take advantage of the many MCLE trainings, workshops, and seminars put on by members of our office throughout the year. Law clerks are offered the opportunity to tour the facilities of several judicial partners such as the Riverside County Jail, the District Court of Appeals for the Fourth District, Division two, the California Rehabilitation Center State Prison, the Historic Riverside Court House, and a forensic laboratory.

The Spring Externship and Summer Law Clerk programs require a three day per week minimum commitment by students throughout the program. All students who participate in our Post Bar Law Clerk programs are required to make a four day per week minimum commitment throughout the program. Students are not permitted to work longer than 40 hours per week. Each program is designed to teach students the fundamentals of a criminal defense practice. The program offers students daily exposure to the courts and the ability to work with our attorneys on their cases.

Applications: Please address your cover letter to Eric Keen, Volunteer Program Coordinator and email your cover letter and resume to Eric Keen at ekeen@co.riverside.ca.us. For more information, call (951) 955-6185.

Volunteer intern positions are also available during the fall and spring semesters for second year day or third year evening students. Some law schools may allow students to receive law school units for the work performed (clinical internship). Students interested in receiving units for work performed must coordinate receipt of credits with their law school’s clinical department. Volunteer and clinical interns will work with deputy district attorneys doing legal research, assisting in court, and handling assignments in the misdemeanor arraignment courts. Students must be presently enrolled in or have completed a course in Evidence and Civil Procedure. Click here for more information. 

Law students or graduates who want a clinical or post-bar position should contact the Intern Supervisor at the Public Defender’s Office at (916) 874-6411.

San Benito does not currently have a program for law school students. Students interested in a volunteer position should contact Ellen Campos at ecampos@cosb.us to check for availability.

San Benito County contracts out its public defender work. Interested students and graduates should contact Gregory LaForge to inquire about law clerk or attorney positions, at lawforge@pacbell.net.

Depending upon State of California Bar admission, certification status under the State Bar of California’s Office of Certification/Practical Training of Law Students program, and level of legal or undergraduate education, Attorney Volunteers; Certified Law Student and Certified Post-Bar Volunteers; and Law Student, Noncertified Post-Bar, and Undergraduate Student Volunteers can be assigned a variety of duties.

All applicants are assigned to a Supervising Deputy District Attorney in a trial unit and/or the appellate unit. In addition to the application, please submit a cover letter and your resume. All Attorney, Law Student, and Post-Bar Volunteers should submit two writing samples (approximately 10 pages or less). If appropriate to the assigned position, Attorney, Certified Law Student, and Certified Post-Bar Volunteers must be available to attend trainings in our office on matters such as how to present evidence in a criminal proceeding and how to conduct a preliminary hearing. If you have any questions after reviewing or submitting an application, please email: lawvolunteers@sbcda.org.

Click here for more information. 

The San Bernardino County Office of the Public Defender offers full-time and part-time volunteer clerkships to law students who are seeking practical legal experience in criminal law over the summer or while awaiting bar results.

We recruit summer and post-bar law clerks each year between August and May. Offers are made to law clerks on a rolling basis. Our summer clerkships begin in late May and conclude in late August, and our post-bar clerkships begin in late August and conclude in early December.

If you wish to apply for a clerkship, please submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and list of references to Geoff Canty, Law Clerk Program Coordinator, tbaca@pd.sbcounty.gov. Applicants may include a transcript if desired.

The Certified Legal Intern Program of the San Diego District Attorney’s Office offers volunteer positions to law students who are interested in a career in the field of criminal law. Interns are expected to answer defense motions, conduct legal research, and appear in court with a supervising attorney. All Certified Legal Interns work closely with Deputy District Attorneys in all phases of prosecution. Interns may be assigned to work in any one of a variety of divisions within the Office, as well as to any of the locations served by the Office, according to staffing needs. In addition to the Hall of Justice downtown, branch offices are located in the South Bay, East County, North County and Kearny Mesa areas.

The Certified Legal Intern Program is divided into two categories: (1) Summer Legal Interns; and (2) Fall/Spring interns. The Summer Legal Internship program is a volunteer internship position open to 2L students. The Fall/Spring Legal Internship 38 program is a volunteer position open to 2L and 3L students who are enrolled in the local San Diego area law schools. Click here for more information. 

The San Diego County Office of the Public Defender provides law students and other students an unparalleled learning experience through a variety of nationally recognized internship opportunities.  Interns and Post Bars assist skilled attorneys in all aspects of case preparation and courtroom advocacy in a supportive environment with a true mentor system.  We pair novices with knowledgeable practitioners to give interns and Post Bars real world experience while ensuring our clients receive the best representation possible.

Legal Internships are for students currently enrolled in law school.  By the end of the internship, you will have interacted with scores of clients, participated in a variety of court hearings, and researched and written legal arguments for the benefit of actual clients. TO VIEW CURRENT INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES, CLICK HERE.

The San Francisco District Attorney’s Office offers a volunteer law clerk internship program throughout the year to students who have completed at least one full year of law school. The internship positions provide invaluable experience to individuals interested in a career in the field of criminal law. Click HERE for more information. 

Open only to second and third year law students, the program provides law students with hands-on experience meeting clients, researching the law, writing memos and motions, as well as assisting attorneys in the courtroom. Click here for more information. 

Accepting resumes, cover letters, and writing samples from law students (1L, 2L, 3L, and 4L) for volunteer internship openings. Send those documents to applications@sjcda.org. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

The office accepts volunteers during the summer, who will gain exposure to all elements of criminal defense practice and also interview out of custody clients. First year students are eligible to apply. Interested students should send a resume, cover letter, and writing sample to Miriam Lyell, Public Defender at the address below or email to mlyell@sjgov.org. Questions may be directed to Ms. Lyell by email or at (209) 468-2756, or to Vickie Delph at vdelph@sjgov.org or (209) 468-1987.

Public Defender Miriam Lyell

102 South San Joaquin Street Stockton, CA 95202

Telephone: (209) 468-2730

Website: http://www.sjgov.org/pubdefender/

The San Luis Obisplo District Attorney’s Office is pleased to offer a limited number of volunteer clerkships to law students and post-bar applicants awaiting bar results.

1L law students typically conduct legal research, do legal writing, and assist in law & motions or trial preparation under the direct supervision of a trial attorney. In addition, 2L law students and post-bar applicants may also appear in court to represent the People in contested hearings and trials, if certified to do so by the California Bar. The positions are volunteer, although many law schools offer academic credit for participation in the law clerk program. Applicants must pass a background investigation. For further information, or to apply for a clerkship, contact Deputy District Attorney Mja Thiesmeyer at (805) 781-5899 or mthiesmeyer@co.slo.ca.us. 

There are three contract firms that serve as public defenders in this county. The Maguire & Ashbaugh firm is the largest, and has 18 subcontractors. This office does not have summer or academic year programs for law students.

The District Attorney’s Office offers volunteer internship positions to eligible second and third year students.  These internship positions can provide invaluable experience to individuals interested in the field of criminal law.  Interns work closely with prosecutors in all phases of prosecution. The interns’ duties include legal writing and research and courtroom presentations under the supervision of a Deputy District Attorney.  Interns are expected to answer defense motions and conduct legal research.  Interns are also expected to present hearings and motions as a certified law student.  Once accepted to our program, the intern is required to obtain Certification with the State Bar. Click here for more information. 

San Mateo County contracts out its public defender work. Interested students and graduates should contact John DiGiacinto, Chief Defender to inquire about law clerk or attorney positions, at johnd@smcba.org.

Law students can participate in many different court proceedings including arraignment, search and seizure motions, bail hearings, trials, sentencing, and probation violations. If the student has completed the second year of law school, he or she can be certified to appear in court and handle actual cases under the supervision of a Deputy District Attorney.

Contact John Savrnoch, Chief Deputy District Attorney, at jsavrnoch@co.santa-barbara.ca.us for more information.

Santa Barbara County Public Defender offers summer internships for first and second year law students. Students work closely with attorneys in researching, drafting motions, preparing and helping to present cases. If the student is certified by the State Bar of California may appear in court at hearings under the supervision of an attorney. The office hires 2-4 volunteer students to work in their Santa Barbara and Santa Maria offices. Applications are accepted through February and sections are made in late March. To apply, submit a resume, cover letter, reference list, writing sample and transcripts to Giovanni Giordani at ggiorda@co.santa-barbara.ca.us or call (805) 568-3470.

The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office offers a paid 2L Honors Program each summer as well as volunteer law clerk internship programs throughout the year to students who have completed at least one full year of law school. The internship positions provide invaluable experience to individuals interested in a career in the field of criminal law. Interns have the opportunity to work closely with prosecutors in a wide variety of areas of prosecution and to attend tours of several County facilities. Interns also may attend the weekly noon time Brown Bag series where different legal topics are presented, followed by an open discussion/questions and answers period. Interns may also attend the in-house trainings.


The District Attorney’s Office has internships for 1Ls, 2Ls, 3Ls, 4Ls (part-time) and the takers of the February and July Bar Exams. The sessions are in the fall, spring, February Post Bar period, summer, and July Post Bar. TO VIEW INTERNSHIP OPPORTUNITIES CLICK HERE.

The Office has a variety of general internships available for law students and undergraduate students assisting lawyers, investigators or paralegals as a volunteer or for school credit. Each provides valuable experience for individuals interested in pursuing employment in the criminal justice system. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Law school students interested in volunteer Law Clerk positions may submit their resumes to: dao@co.santa-cruz.ca.us. Recruitment is ongoing and continuous.

The office accepts 2-4 law students each summer. They will accept both 1Ls and 2Ls. Interested students should send a cover letter, resume and writing sample to James McMillin, at jmcmillin@scdefenders.com.

Students interested in law clerk positions should contact the offices directly.

Telephone: (530) 245-6300

This county does not have a formal intern program. However, occasionally the office will accept volunteer interns. Interested students should contact the office directly, at jgorder@co.shasta.ca.us.

Students interested in law clerk positions should contact the offices directly.

Telephone: (530) 289-3269

This county contracts out its public defender work. Interested students and graduates should contact J. Lon Cooper to inquire about law clerk or attorney positions at jho@nccn.net.

Students interested in law clerk positions should contact the offices directly.

Telephone: (530) 842-8125

E-Mail: da@siskiyouda.org

There is no formal summer program. Interested students may call the office to inquire whether there is space to accommodate volunteers, or email Ms. Lael Kayfetz at lkayfetz@co.siskiyou.ca.us.

The Solano County District Attorney’s Office has a non-paid intern/volunteer program.  The District Attorney’s Office is seeking motivated individuals who are interested in gaining hands on experience in the criminal justice system and working to help the District Attorney represent the People of Solano. Click here for more information. 

The Solano County Public Defender Internship Program offers qualified and committed law students and graduates awaiting bar results the opportunity to experience the highly rewarding work of indigent criminal defense. Interns have access to a wide variety of assignments including research and drafting motions, legal memoranda and writ petitions, client and witness interviewing, investigation, and assisting attorneys in preparing and conducting jury trials. Certified law students and graduates will be able to argue motions in court, conduct evidentiary hearings and may be assigned to represent clients charged with misdemeanors, depending on experience. Click here for more information. 

The Sonoma County District Attorney also offers opportunities to work as a Law Clerk. We have both paid and unpaid internships available. Prior to beginning work as a Law Clerk, all applicants must have completed their first year of law school and a course in criminal law. It is preferred that applicants will have completed, or be enrolled in, criminal procedure and evidence. Please send a letter of interest and a current resume. CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

Sonoma County Public Defender only accepts law students from Empire Law College at this time.

Students interested in law clerk positions should contact the offices directly.

Telephone: (209) 525-5550

The Stanislaus County Public Defender’s Office offers law students the opportunity to experience the rigors of what it is to be a criminal defense attorney. The Internship Program provides valuable training in research and writing, as well as the practical experience of the daily exercises of being in court under the supervision of a senior deputy public defender. All law student interns will be expected to perform legal research and writing, conduct client intake interviews and assist attorneys in case preparation for trial. Certified law students by the California Bar Association will be allowed to litigate motions, argue evidentiary hearings and when possible conduct a jury trial under direct supervision of an experienced trial attorney. Click here for more information. 

Students interested in law clerk positions should contact the offices directly.

Telephone: (530) 822-7330

There is no formal summer program. However, interested students should submit a cover letter and resume to Mark Van den Heuvel, Public Defender, at mvandenheuvel@co.sutter.ca.us. He is willing to arrange for county funding for summer law clerks. First year students are eligible, second year students are preferred.

1L and 2L students are welcome to apply. Interviews for summer positions are typically conducted in February and April. Additionally, Tehema County DA participates in some OCI programs and will participate in PI/PS day at UC Hastings. At this time, the DA does not extend post-grad employment offers to 2L summer interns. Students interested in law clerk positions should contact the offices directly.

Telephone: (530) 527-3053

This county contracts out its public defender work to the attorneys below. Interested students and graduates should contact them directly to inquire about law clerk or attorney positions.

Kathryn Thompson; Telephone: (530) 529-1623; Email: Thompson-kathryn@sbcglobal.net

Kenneth Miller; Telephone: (530) 529-1794; Email: doglawyer2000@yahoo.com

Diane Martin & Christopher Logan; Telephone: (530) 529-4266; Email: dlogan@snowcrest.net

Alessio Larrabee; Telephone: (530) 526-8796; Email: larrabee@tehamacrimaldefense.com

Students interested in law clerk positions should contact the offices directly.

Telephone: (530) 623-1304

This county contracts out its public defender work. Interested students and graduates should contact the attorneys below to inquire about law clerk or attorney positions.

Laura Woods – Law Office of Laura Woods; Telephone: (530) 623-0066; Ms. Woods’ Cell Phone: (530) 840-6819; Email: laurawoodslaw@yahoo.com

Larry Olsen – Law Office of Larry A. Olsen; Telephone: (530) 529-1794 

Students interested in law clerk positions should contact the offices directly.

Telephone: (559) 636-5494

Students interested in law clerk positions should send cover letter and resume directly to Supervising Law Clerk Sharleen Flores at smflores@co.tulare.ca.us and Cc: Assistant Public Defender Thomas McGuire at tmcguire@co.tulare.ca.us. 

Students interested in law clerk positions should contact the offices directly. 

Telephone: (209) 588-5450

E-Mail: da@tuolumnecounty.ca.gov

This is a very small office with no summer program due to limited space. Attorney positions are advertised in legal publications such as the Daily Journal. All other inquiries should be directed to Robert Price at rprice@co.tuolumne.ca.us.

Law students at any stage of their education are encouraged to apply. Students are typically assigned to work with attorneys prosecuting homicide, gang, narcotics, sexual assault, domestic violence, fraud and a wide variety of felony and misdemeanor cases including robberies, burglaries, assault with a deadly weapon and vandalism cases. A student may also be assigned to work in the writs and appeals unit, researching novel legal issues and writing pleadings and memoranda for distribution both within the District Attorney’s office and to local law enforcement agencies.

Submissions are encouraged year-round, including from first, second and third year students. There are no deadlines. Law students who would like to volunteer for an internship opportunity should contact Chief Deputy Miles Weiss via email, c/o Legal Management Assistant Cynthia M. Klante at Cynthia.Klante@ventura.org. Applicants should include a letter expressing their interest, including when they are available to volunteer, along with a resume. Law students are required to make a minimum commitment of 15 hours/week for 10 weeks during the school year and 40 hours/week for 10 weeks during the summer.

The process to become a clerk at the Ventura County Public Defender’s Office is competitive. Clerks are selected based on their passion for public defense and demonstrated commitment to excellence. Applicants face a three-stage screening process. First, the applicant must submit a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to Rod Kodman, Chief Deputy Public Defender and clerkship supervisor. The cover letter should convey why the applicant wants to clerk for the Ventura County Public Defender’s Office and why the office should select the applicant. If the applicant appears to be suited for the program, he or she will interview with Mr. Kodman in person. If the interview goes well, the applicant will return a third time to shadow an attorney mentor. After the shadow day, if the office determines the applicant is a good match for the program, the applicant will receive a clerkship offer. Clerkships are unpaid and carry no guarantee of future employment with the office.

Clerks are encouraged to become “certified law clerks” pursuant to California Bar Association Rules Governing the Practical Training of Law Students, Rule 3.4 before the clerkship begins. Only certified clerks may appear on the record in case proceedings. The Ventura County Public Defender’s Office will assist qualified clerks to become certified.

Applicants seeking to clerk with the office for multiple sessions receive preference in the screening process. The clerkship program is designed to accept law clerks who will return for several sessions, including full-time summer sessions (40-hours per week minimum), part-time spring and/or fall sessions (two days per week minimum), and for some, a post-bar clerkship (40-hours per week minimum). As the clerk remains with the office, he or she receives increasing responsibility and emerges from the program prepared to hit the ground running in public defense. Direct Applications to: Rod Kodman, Chief Deputy Public Defender at rod.kodman@ventura.org, (805) 654-3041.

Interns are involved in a wide variety of cases, both misdemeanor and felony. A day in the life of a typical intern involves drafting motions and memoranda of points and authorities, conducting research on complicated legal issues, and, if you are certified, arguing the People’s position in the courtroom. We also encourage interns to observe ongoing trials to learn about the criminal justice system and gain better insight into what it is like to be a prosecutor. Ultimately, you may have the opportunity to conduct a jury trial in a misdemeanor case. Click here for more information. 

Each year the Yolo County Public Defender’s Office selects approximately fifteen to twenty law students who participate in volunteer internships. Typically, law students will be selected to volunteer at the Yolo County Public Defender’s Office through an interview process during on campus interviews. Click here for more information.