Paralegal Internship Program

Contract, Full-time

No

The San Francisco City Attorney’s Office is offering opportunities to paralegal students who want to learn and work in local government and public-interest law. Paralegal interns work closely with paralegal mentors who provide legal support to deputy city attorneys. Mentors provide ongoing professional feedback and keep paralegal interns involved as team members and part of the office’s broader attorney-client relationship with City departments. Additionally, paralegal interns will attend trainings and field trips with interns from the Office’s law school internship program. City Attorney paralegal interns benefit from legal practice at the local government level, which is not something that is often taught in paralegal programs, provides important insight into the Office, and sparks an interest in a career in government.

Paralegal Internship Program Overview

The San Francisco City Attorney’s Office Paralegal Internship Program provides an opportunity for students to gain practical knowledge and experience in municipal law and government affairs. Interns will have the opportunity to work with experienced paralegals and attorneys and participate in the office’s wide array of legal work.

Description

Paralegal interns will have the opportunity participate in and assist with a wide variety of activities and tasks, including:

• Team meetings
• Meetings with clients and social workers
• Litigation hold processes
• Document collection and review, including video review
• Cite checking briefs
• Attending various court hearings including Hearing intake matters and trial
• Drafting notices of hearings and other pleadings
• Requesting investigator services
• Gathering and tracking materials for experts

Requirements

Applicants must be enrolled in an ABA approved paralegal program, and have completed their core requirements in Civil litigation and Legal Writing and Research.

Internship Details

• Accepting Applications: Spring 2024
• Applications due: January 31, 2024
• Orientation (mandatory): To be determined
• Program: February 5 through May 17, 2024
• Mentorship length: Based on school requirements

Compensation: Unpaid

How to Apply

To apply, email a cover letter, resume, and brief legal writing sample to .

Overview of the San Francisco City Attorney’s Office Paralegal Internship Program

The San Francisco City Attorney’s Office Paralegal Internship Program is designed to provide students an opportunity to gain practical knowledge and experience in municipal law and government affairs. Interns will have the opportunity to work with experienced paralegals and attorneys and participate in the office’s wide array of legal work.

Eligibility

Students currently enrolled in an ABA approved paralegal studies program are eligible to participate in the City Attorney’s Office paralegal internship program.

Requirements

Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited ABA approved paralegal studies program. Applicants must have completed their legal writing and research and civil litigation requirements before applying.

Application Process

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.

Internship Details

• Accepting Applications: Spring 2024
• Applications due: January 31, 2024
• Orientation (mandatory): To be determined
• Program: February 5 through May 17, 2024
• Mentorship length: Based on school requirements
• Compensation: Unpaid

Projects and Activities

Paralegal interns assist paralegals with various legal support projects including document review and redaction, preparing documents for service, factual research, and preparing materials for trial. When appropriate, interns are invited to trials, hearings and depositions. Additionally, each semester the office schedules lectures, events and tours of various City Departments. Events vary depending on the semester and have included: a tour of Pacific Bell Park, a ride on a Fireboat, a tour of the Animal Care and Control facility, a tour of the De Young Museum and an insider’s view of the courts. The City Attorney’s Office has an extensive legal library, a librarian, and a full range of electronic research materials.

Teams

The City Attorney’s Office is organized into teams based on practice areas. Currently paralegal interns may be assigned to the following:

• Child Protection and Family Services
• Code Enforcement
• Complex Litigation
• Government
• Labor
• Litigation
• Workers’ Compensation

Training and Mentorship

All interns attend an office orientation, which explains our role in City government, office structure and procedures. Interns also receive training on how to use computer software. Each team provides interns with training to complete projects assigned. Additionally, the office’s continuing legal education seminars are open to interns.

Orientation, trainings, field trips, legal practice at the local government level

Legal Writing, Research, Civil Litigation

ABA approved paralegal studies program

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

Qualification and Experience Currently enrolled in an ABA approved paralegal studies program

Legal