Description:
About the Position:A Government Entity of the Public Defender's Law Clerk Program introduces select students to the operations of the office, the court system, and related agencies in the criminal justice system. Law Clerks are mentored by experienced criminal defense attorneys who provide them with real-life educational experience. Law clerks will play an important role in helping attorneys provide legal assistance to homeless clients seeking mental health and substance use disorder treatment and services, ensuring our unhoused clients receive the necessary legal support and access to vital treatment and services. Law clerks are given the opportunity to observe and participate in client interviews, case strategy meetings, and court proceedings. Law Clerks may complete research and writing projects including briefs, investigation requests, and motions to be filed in court. They may also accompany the attorneys to jail interviews and attend public defender training sessions.
The Law Clerk internship program in the Office of the Public Defender tracks the academic year and is offered in the summer (10 weeks) and in spring and fall (16 weeks).
Our Ideal Team Member:
This opportunity is for you if you wish to join a team revolutionizing the criminal justice system. We're looking for team members who hold our Office's shared values of zealously advocating in defense of our indigent clientele, and compassionately amplifying their stories.
Essential Job Functions:
Essential Job Functions Include but May Not Be Limited To:
- Provides support to attorneys in a wide variety of legal tasks including research, interpretation, and application of laws, court decisions, and other legal authorities for use in the preparation of cases, pleadings, briefs, and other legal documents.
- Assists in reviewing and preparing case file discovery related to clients' mental health and substance use disorders.
- Analyzes medical records, psychiatric evaluations, and other relevant documents to identify key factors contributing to mitigation.
- Interviews clients to obtain factual, biographical and financial information and assists in the scheduling of witnesses and prepares witnesses and clients in courtroom procedures and appropriate protocol.
- Collaborates with the assigned attorney in drafting legal briefs and motions presented in court for mitigation, trial preparation, or hearings.
- Performs clerical and computer data input.
Requirements:
Requirements
You MUST meet ONE of the requirement(s) listed below in order to be appointed to fill any vacancies related to this recruitment:
Option 1:
- Currently enrolled in and completion of the first year or equivalent of study* in a school accredited by American Bar Association (ABA) or a California-accredited law school (CALS).
- Program of study includes full-time, part-time, or distance learning programs. Completion of first year or equivalent is the completion of the expected coursework during the first year (1L) of law school.
- Currently enrolled in an unaccredited law school registered with the State Bar of California (CALS) or currently participating in a law office study (LOS) program -AND- have passed the State Bar of California First Year Law Student's Examination (FYLSX)**