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City Attorney - Internship Program

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1. Who is eligible?

Applicants must be law school graduates or enrolled in an accredited law school to participate in the City Attorney’s Law Student Intern Program.

2. How do I apply?

To apply, please email a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to Legal Services Administrator Ellen Donnelly.

3. What are the minimum requirements?

MINIMUM COURSEWORK
For those applying for either a litigation or transactional position, it is preferred that candidates are in their second or third year.

In addition to the above, for litigation positions, it is preferred that candidates have completed Evidence and Civil Procedure and are eligible for certification with the State Bar under its “Practical Training of Law Students” program. For those applying for transactional positions, completion of constitutional law coursework is preferred.

MINIMUM HOURS
Interns must be willing to work a minimum 20 hours per week. Office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Work schedules are flexible based on an intern’s class schedule as well as the operational needs of the office. Once a schedule has been agreed upon, interns are expected to maintain the schedule on a consistent basis.

4. What types of internships does the City Attorney’s Office offer?

The City Attorney’s Office offers internship positions in our litigation and transactional services divisions. Description of these divisions can be found in the Divisions pages.

5. Do interns get paid at the City Attorney’s Office?

No. These are voluntary positions and no compensation is offered by the City for services rendered by the interns (with the exception of reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses). The office participates in externship programs offered by law schools.

6. What kind of experience and training can an intern expect to receive?

Litigation interns have the opportunity to perform legal research; draft pleadings, motions and research memoranda; assist with discovery; participate in Office litigation meetings; and attend mediations, depositions, arbitrations and trials. Certified law students are provided with a variety of opportunities to appear with Attorneys at administrative hearings and in Court on pretrial calendars (San Jose Municipal Code violations), Pitchess hearings, criminal trials and various civil proceedings.

Transactional interns perform legal research on a wide variety of issues; draft ordinances, resolutions, and research memoranda; analyze pending State legislation; participate in meetings with client departments; and attend internal meetings to review the City Council agenda.