Internship, Fall

2-3 yrs required

Full-time

No

San Francisco City Attorney’s Office Internship Program

The San Francisco City Attorney’s Office offers an internship program for law school students. The program provides students with a unique opportunity to gain practical knowledge and experience in municipal law and government affairs. Interns are placed with one of 20+ practice teams that are organized by practice area. Descriptions of the Office’s legal teams are available here. Interns work on a variety of legal assignments under the direction and supervision of deputy city attorneys, who also serve as mentors.

Program Details

The Office offers three 10-week internship programs that run in the spring, summer, and fall. Depending on their assignments, interns can take part in client meetings with department staff and elected officials; trials, court hearings, and depositions; public meetings and closed sessions with city commissions and the San Francisco Board of Supervisors; and press conferences related to the Office’s work. Interns are also able to take part in events, tours and lectures that the office schedules for interns every season.

The Office encourages a diverse applicant pool, welcomes qualified applicants of all backgrounds, and awards positions based on fair and open competition. The Office does not guarantee that applicants will be placed with one of their preferred teams. Interns are not usually offered a position in the office immediately after their internship. The office typically hires attorneys with two to three years of experience.

Eligibility

Students currently enrolled in an accredited law school are eligible to participate in the City Attorney’s intern program. Applicants must be available to work a minimum of 12 hours per week during the spring and fall. Applicants must be available to work a minimum of 20 hours per week in the summer.

Compensation

The volunteer internship is unpaid. A clinical internship is also unpaid, if approved by their law school. Work-study students must have federal work-study funds available and the City must have a current work-study contract with the intern’s law school. Work-study students may not work more than 20 hours per week during the school year. They may not work more than 40 hours per week during the summer. No overtime is allowed. Work-study students must not exceed their work-study award. The amount of the award is determined by the student’s financial need and is unique to each student.

How to Apply

To apply, email a cover letter, resume, and brief legal writing sample to . Be sure to check the deadlines on our Internships Page. We will review applications upon receipt and will fill open spots on a rolling basis. Please consider submitting your application before our deadline so that our practice teams have sufficient time to consider your materials.

San Francisco City Attorney’s Office Internship Program

The San Francisco City Attorney’s Office offers an internship program for law school students. The program provides students with a unique opportunity to gain practical knowledge and experience in municipal law and government affairs. Interns are placed with one of 20+ practice teams that are organized by practice area. Interns work on a variety of legal assignments under the direction and supervision of deputy city attorneys, who also serve as mentors.

Eligibility

Students currently enrolled in an accredited law school are eligible to participate in the City Attorney’s intern program. Applicants must be available to work a minimum of 12 hours per week during the spring and fall. Applicants must be available to work a minimum of 20 hours per week in the summer.

Compensation

The volunteer internship is unpaid. A clinical internship is also unpaid, if approved by their law school. Work-study students must have federal work-study funds available and the City must have a current work-study contract with the intern’s law school. Work-study students may not work more than 20 hours per week during the school year. They may not work more than 40 hours per week during the summer. No overtime is allowed. Work-study students must not exceed their work-study award. The amount of the award is determined by the student’s financial need and is unique to each student.

Program Details

The Office offers three 10-week internship programs that run in the spring, summer, and fall. Depending on their assignments, interns can take part in client meetings with department staff and elected officials; trials, court hearings, and depositions; public meetings and closed sessions with city commissions and the San Francisco Board of Supervisors; and press conferences related to the Office’s work. Interns are also able to take part in events, tours and lectures that the office schedules for interns every season.

The Office encourages a diverse applicant pool, welcomes qualified applicants of all backgrounds, and awards positions based on fair and open competition. The Office does not guarantee that applicants will be placed with one of their preferred teams. Interns are not usually offered a position in the office immediately after their internship. The office typically hires attorneys with two to three years of experience.

Legal Teams

Attorneys in the City Attorney’s Office are organized into teams based on practice areas. We encourage intern candidates to state a team preference in their cover letter, however, final assignments are based on office needs. Internships may be available on any of the following teams. Longer descriptions of each team are available here. (Asterisks * denote teams that handle litigation matters.)

Administrative and Regulatory Law *
Civil Rights *
Code Enforcement *
Consumer

English

Legal research, legal writing, drafting statutes and regulations, reviewing contracts, court representation, advising clients, trial preparation, public speaking, teamwork, time management, attention to detail, critical thinking, problem-solving, communication, organization, diversity and inclusion, leadership, research, analysis, client service, legal advice, drafting legal documents, case management, litigation strategy, negotiation, event planning, community outreach, project management, legal education, mentoring, feedback, supervision, team coordination, networking, professional development, cultural competency, adaptability, flexibility, creativity, innovation, adaptability, computer skills.

Must be currently enrolled in an accredited law school.

Email a cover letter, resume, and brief legal writing sample to .

Qualification and Experience Currently enrolled in an accredited law school, strong academic record, interest in municipal law and government affairs, commitment to diversity and inclusion, leadership potential, excellent research and writing skills, ability to work independently and as part of a team, strong communication and interpersonal skills, attention to detail, critical thinking skills, adaptability to changing priorities, ability to handle confidential information, knowledge of legal research methods and resources, previous legal experience or coursework, familiarity with government structure and processes, commitment to public service.

Legal