San Francisco District Attorney

SF District Attorney

Careers

Law Clerk Programs

1Ls

The San Francisco District Attorney’s Office offers a volunteer law clerk internship program every summer to students who have completed at least one full year of law school. The internship position provides invaluable experience to individuals interested in a career in the field of criminal law.

1L law clerks can expect to work closely with prosecutors in a wide variety of areas of prosecution and attend our in-house trainings. 1L’s will be placed in a designated unit where they will be involved in legal research-related assignments and attend weekly trainings by senior prosecutors of researching and writing motions for criminal court.

1L opportunities available include, but are not limited to, the following units of the San Francisco District Attorney’s Office:

  • Homicide
  • Sexual Assault
  • Child Abuse
  • Domestic Violence
  • General Felonies
  • Misdemeanors
  • Juvenile

This opportunity is unpaid, and students must be prepared to commit a full-time 40 hours per week schedule in their assignments.

2Ls

Certified Law Clerks are expected to write motions, perform legal research, and appear in court with a supervising attorney. Certified 2L’s work closely with Assistant District Attorneys in all phases of prosecution and may be assigned to work in any one of a variety of divisions within the office. 

This opportunity is unpaid and 2L’s who apply must be prepared to spend a minimum of 16 hours per week in their assignments. 

Eligibility Requirements:

  1. Students must have successfully completed or be currently enrolled in and attending courses in Civil Procedure and Evidence.
  2. Must apply for and be certified by the State Bar of California. Certification allows law clerks to research, write, and argue motions, and present evidence at suppression motions and conduct hearings in the Superior Court under the direct supervision of an experienced prosecutor. Additionally, law clerks may gain valuable experience in preparation of high-profile cases or assist in the preparation of serious felony cases including such crimes as rape, felony assault, kidnap or murder trials.

Our 9-week intensive training program provides 2L clerks who are certified by the State Bar of California with the knowledge and skills necessary to become effective prosecutors. 2L’s are asked to tackle demanding legal research and writing assignments, litigate motions, conduct evidentiary and preliminary hearings, and assist attorneys in case preparation for trial.

2L Summer Law Clerks will receive a stipend upon successful completion of their duties. Students must be prepared to commit to a full-time 40 hours per week schedule.

Eligibility Requirements:

  1. Students must have successfully completed or be currently enrolled in and attending courses in Civil Procedure and Evidence.
  2. Must apply for and be certified by the State Bar of California. Such certification status allows law clerks to research, write, and argue motions, present evidence at suppression motions and conduct hearings in the Superior Court under the direct supervision of an experienced prosecutor. Additionally, law clerks may gain valuable experience in preparation of high-profile cases or assist in the preparation of serious felony cases including such crimes as rape, felony assault, kidnap or murder trials.

3Ls

Certified Law Clerks are expected to write motions, perform legal research, and appear in court with a supervising attorney. Certified 3L’s work closely with Assistant District Attorneys in all phases of prosecution and may be assigned to work in any one of a variety of divisions within the office. 

This opportunity is unpaid and 3L’s who apply must be prepared to spend a minimum of 16 hours per week in their assignments. 

Eligibility Requirements:

  1. Students must have successfully completed or be currently enrolled in and attending courses in Civil Procedure and Evidence.
  2. Must apply for and be certified by the State Bar of California. Certification allows law clerks to research, write, and argue motions, and present evidence at suppression motions and conduct hearings in the Superior Court under the direct supervision of an experienced prosecutor. Additionally, law clerks may gain valuable experience in preparation of high-profile cases or assist in the preparation of serious felony cases including such crimes as rape, felony assault, kidnap or murder trials.

Application Process

To apply, please submit a General Intern Application

All interested applicants should be prepared to submit the following materials:

    1. Cover Letter—Please address to Donald du Bain, Chief of Organizational Management & Training, and indicate the specific program(s) that you are interested in applying for. 
    2. Resume
    3. Adult Background Investigation Form
    4. A copy of government issued photo identification.
    5. Writing Sample – No longer than 10 pages in length

Please note that all candidates are required to complete a Criminal Record Check Information Form with the submission of their application packet. These forms are thoroughly reviewed by our Bureau of Investifations, and applicants are encouraged to be candid. Acceptance into the Program is conditional upon the candidate passing a background check.

 

Email any questions to: SFDAInternship@sfgov.org

Program Dates: Mon. January 27, 2025 – Fri. May 2, 2025

  1. Application Deadline: CLOSED

Program Dates: Mon. June 2, 2025 – Fri. August 1, 2025

  1. Application Deadline: CLOSED

Program Dates: Mon. June 2, 2025 – Fri. August 8, 2025

  1. Application Deadline: Fri. February 14, 2025
  2. Interviews: Tues. February 18, 2025 – Fri. February 28, 2025
  3. SFDA’s Notification of Offers into the Law Clerk Program: Wed. March 5, 2025
  4. Candidate’s Acceptance Deadline: Wed. March 12, 2025

Outside Employment Disclosure

California Government Code §§1125 through 1127 prohibits local agency officers and employees from engaging in activities that are incompatible, inconsistent, in conflict, or inimical with their agency employment. As a volunteer intern with our office, interns are bound by these sections of the Government Code. Students selected for any of the intern programs are advised that they may not perform any work (paid or unpaid) for any criminal defense attorney during the pendency of their internship with this office. This applies even if the criminal defense work is in a different county. Students who have other outside employment/incompatible activity during the pendency of their internship must disclose this to our office for review prior to accepting the internship.

Should an intern engage in outside employment/incompatible activity after commencing the internship, the intern must immediately advise the Internship Program Manager. If the outside employment/incompatible activity is deemed to fall within the prohibitions of California Government Code §1125 through 1127, the intern will not be able to remain in our program. If an intern has any questions concerning other employment/incompatible activity, they should contact the Program Director.

SF District Attorney