Legal Intern Jobs in California
Legal Intern jobs in California are among the most actively recruited in the country, concentrated in corporate law, public interest, entertainment and media law, and tech-sector litigation across Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego. Major employers with consistent California intern pipelines include Latham and Watkins, Gibson Dunn, and the California Department of Justice. Demand runs from first-year law students seeking summer placements through 3L candidates targeting post-bar associate tracks. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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The Position
The City of Riverside is accepting applications for one (1) Law Clerk Intern* for Spring 2027. The eligibility list established may be used to fill the current and/or upcoming vacancies within this classification for up to six (6) months.
The Riverside City Attorney’s Office (RCAO) is comprised of the City Attorney, three Assistant City Attorneys, fourteen Deputy City Attorneys, four paralegals, and legal support specialists. The RCAO serves as corporate counsel to the City of Riverside, a charter city and municipal corporation. As such, the RCAO plays an integral role in the day-to-day operation of the City. In this regard, the RCAO serves as general counsel to the City Council and represents all City officers and employees in matters of law pertaining to their offices and appears for the City in actions or proceedings in which the City, its officers and employees are a party. The RCAO also approves the form of all contracts made by, and all bonds and certificates of insurance given to the City and prepares any and all proposed ordinances and/or resolutions for the City and amendments thereto. The RCAO prides itself in being able to keep the majority of its legal work in-house. As in-house counsel, attorneys routinely practice in the areas of administrative law, environmental law, land use law, torts and civil rights law, employment law, public utilities law, public contracts law, and other areas unique to the public sector.
Incorporated in 1870, the City of Riverside is California’s 12th-largest municipality (59th largest nationally) with a population of over 310,000 people and growing. The City also serves as the county seat for Riverside County. Riverside is home to the Eastern Division of the Federal District Court, Central District; the U.S. Bankruptcy Court; the California Court of Appeal, 4th Appellate District, Division Two; as well as the Superior Court of California for Riverside County, which encompasses civil, criminal, family and juvenile law courts.
This Internship Program is funded by the Youth Service Corps Grant. The Youth Service Corps Grant emphasizes four areas of service: education, food insecurity, climate change, and public service. It combines responsibilities, learning opportunities, and the chance to interact meaningfully with your community. Interns funded through the Youth Service Corps Grant will work 19 hours per week in a department at the City of Riverside, take a monthly training course, and meet with a job coach.
The job classification being used is General Service Worker. Law Clerk Intern is a working title to reflect the current, specific need.
Work Performed
Qualifications
Highly Desirable Qualifications:
- Law clerks must be currently enrolled in or recent graduate of an ABA- or California State Bar-accredited law school.
Participation in law review, moot court, trial advocacy, and other extracurricular activities which emphasize legal research and writing skills are a plus
To qualify for the Youth Service Corps program, you must be between the ages of 16 and 30 years old and meet at least one (1) of the following criteria:
- Have not participated in an AmeriCorps program
- May have difficulty finding employment
- Are low income
- Are unemployed and/or out of school
- Are/were justice involved
- Are in/or transitioning from foster care, and/or
- Are engaged with the mental health or substance abuse system.
While we encourage all interested candidates to apply, the Youth Service Corps requires that 75% of all hires through the program meet at least one (1) of the eligibility requirements listed above. Candidates who do not meet all eligibility requirements are still welcome to apply, but their application may not be available for grant funding.
To apply, please complete the application and include a resume and a letter of interest.
Selection Process
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION:
1) Completed Employment Application
2) Completed Supplemental Questionnaire
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON SCHEDULING ASSESSMENTS:
If you are selected to move forward in the assessment process, you may be required to self-schedule your appointment. You will be notified via email of your status and provided with self-scheduling instructions. Please check your email regularly following the closing date of this recruitment.
The selection process will begin with an employment application package screening, with the best qualified candidates being invited to participate further in the assessment process. This process may include any combination of written, performance, and oral assessments to evaluate job-related education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities. Those who successfully complete the selection process will be placed on the eligibility list for this classification.
It is the responsibility of candidates with a disability requiring accommodation in the assessment process to contact the Human Resources Department in writing to request such accommodation prior to the closing date of this recruitment.
Appointment may be subject to the successful completion of a pre-employment background investigation, drug screen, and/or medical/physical examination.
NOTE: The City reserves the right to modify selection devices and test instruments in accordance with accepted legal, ethical, and professional standards. Candidates may reapply when there is a posting to establish an eligibility list.
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Proof of education listed in your application will be requested at the time of conditional offer. Acceptable documentation consists of transcripts or degree, if applicable, by the accredited U.S. college or university.
Education obtained outside the United States (US) require one of the following options:
- An equivalency statement from an evaluation company certified by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) at http://www.naces.org/members.html or the Association of International Credential Evaluators Inc. (AICE) at http://aice-eval.org/members/.
- An advanced-level degree from an accredited US college or university.
THE PROVISIONS OF THIS JOB ANNOUNCEMENT DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONTRACT.
The Position
The City of Riverside is accepting applications for one (1) Law Clerk Intern* for Spring 2027. The eligibility list established may be used to fill the current and/or upcoming vacancies within this classification for up to six (6) months.
The Riverside City Attorney’s Office (RCAO) is comprised of the City Attorney, three Assistant City Attorneys, fourteen Deputy City Attorneys, four paralegals, and legal support specialists. The RCAO serves as corporate counsel to the City of Riverside, a charter city and municipal corporation. As such, the RCAO plays an integral role in the day-to-day operation of the City. In this regard, the RCAO serves as general counsel to the City Council and represents all City officers and employees in matters of law pertaining to their offices and appears for the City in actions or proceedings in which the City, its officers and employees are a party. The RCAO also approves the form of all contracts made by, and all bonds and certificates of insurance given to the City and prepares any and all proposed ordinances and/or resolutions for the City and amendments thereto. The RCAO prides itself in being able to keep the majority of its legal work in-house. As in-house counsel, attorneys routinely practice in the areas of administrative law, environmental law, land use law, torts and civil rights law, employment law, public utilities law, public contracts law, and other areas unique to the public sector.
Incorporated in 1870, the City of Riverside is California’s 12th-largest municipality (59th largest nationally) with a population of over 310,000 people and growing. The City also serves as the county seat for Riverside County. Riverside is home to the Eastern Division of the Federal District Court, Central District; the U.S. Bankruptcy Court; the California Court of Appeal, 4th Appellate District, Division Two; as well as the Superior Court of California for Riverside County, which encompasses civil, criminal, family and juvenile law courts.
This Internship Program is funded by the Youth Service Corps Grant. The Youth Service Corps Grant emphasizes four areas of service: education, food insecurity, climate change, and public service. It combines responsibilities, learning opportunities, and the chance to interact meaningfully with your community. Interns funded through the Youth Service Corps Grant will work 19 hours per week in a department at the City of Riverside, take a monthly training course, and meet with a job coach.
The job classification being used is General Service Worker. Law Clerk Intern is a working title to reflect the current, specific need.
Work Performed
Qualifications
Highly Desirable Qualifications:
- Law clerks must be currently enrolled in or recent graduate of an ABA- or California State Bar-accredited law school.
Participation in law review, moot court, trial advocacy, and other extracurricular activities which emphasize legal research and writing skills are a plus
To qualify for the Youth Service Corps program, you must be between the ages of 16 and 30 years old and meet at least one (1) of the following criteria:
- Have not participated in an AmeriCorps program
- May have difficulty finding employment
- Are low income
- Are unemployed and/or out of school
- Are/were justice involved
- Are in/or transitioning from foster care, and/or
- Are engaged with the mental health or substance abuse system.
While we encourage all interested candidates to apply, the Youth Service Corps requires that 75% of all hires through the program meet at least one (1) of the eligibility requirements listed above. Candidates who do not meet all eligibility requirements are still welcome to apply, but their application may not be available for grant funding.
To apply, please complete the application and include a resume and a letter of interest.
Selection Process
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED AT THE TIME OF APPLICATION:
1) Completed Employment Application
2) Completed Supplemental Questionnaire
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ON SCHEDULING ASSESSMENTS:
If you are selected to move forward in the assessment process, you may be required to self-schedule your appointment. You will be notified via email of your status and provided with self-scheduling instructions. Please check your email regularly following the closing date of this recruitment.
The selection process will begin with an employment application package screening, with the best qualified candidates being invited to participate further in the assessment process. This process may include any combination of written, performance, and oral assessments to evaluate job-related education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities. Those who successfully complete the selection process will be placed on the eligibility list for this classification.
It is the responsibility of candidates with a disability requiring accommodation in the assessment process to contact the Human Resources Department in writing to request such accommodation prior to the closing date of this recruitment.
Appointment may be subject to the successful completion of a pre-employment background investigation, drug screen, and/or medical/physical examination.
NOTE: The City reserves the right to modify selection devices and test instruments in accordance with accepted legal, ethical, and professional standards. Candidates may reapply when there is a posting to establish an eligibility list.
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Proof of education listed in your application will be requested at the time of conditional offer. Acceptable documentation consists of transcripts or degree, if applicable, by the accredited U.S. college or university.
Education obtained outside the United States (US) require one of the following options:
- An equivalency statement from an evaluation company certified by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) at http://www.naces.org/members.html or the Association of International Credential Evaluators Inc. (AICE) at http://aice-eval.org/members/.
- An advanced-level degree from an accredited US college or university.
THE PROVISIONS OF THIS JOB ANNOUNCEMENT DO NOT CONSTITUTE AN EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED CONTRACT.
See All 25 Legal Intern Jobs in California
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Find Legal Intern JobsLegal Intern Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Legal Intern Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Law & Legal Services
- Science & Research
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in legal intern jobs across California.
- Current enrollment in an ABA-accredited California law school or reciprocity school
- Completion of at least one year of law school coursework
- Demonstrated legal research and writing skills through coursework or clinic experience
- Familiarity with Westlaw, LexisNexis, or comparable legal research platforms
- Ability to draft memoranda, briefs, or client-facing documents under attorney supervision
- Strong academic standing with participation in moot court, law review, or clinic preferred
Legal Intern Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a legal intern in California?
Becoming a legal intern in California requires enrollment in an ABA-accredited law school, as California employers almost universally require active law student status. The State Bar of California oversees law student practice rules, and many employers require compliance with Law Student Practice Rules that allow supervised court appearances. Some public interest and government offices also accept paralegal students or undergraduates for non-practice intern roles, but attorney-supervised legal intern positions are reserved for law school enrollees.
Which companies hire legal interns in California?
California legal intern roles are posted by Gilead Sciences, Protiviti, and Law Offices of Sabrina Li and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's concentration of entertainment studios, technology headquarters, and large regional law firms makes it one of the broadest markets in the country for substantive intern placements across practice areas.
Which California cities have the most legal intern jobs?
Foster City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco hold the most legal intern openings in California. Los Angeles dominates due to its entertainment, real estate, and litigation markets, while San Francisco draws heavy demand from tech and venture capital firms, and San Diego's biotech sector and federal courts drive consistent intern hiring in the region.
Are there remote legal intern jobs in California?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely desk-based fields, since legal intern work often involves in-person court runs, client meetings, and document review under direct attorney supervision. About 50% of legal intern openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, with research-heavy and transactional practice groups at large firms most likely to offer flexible arrangements.
How can I get hired as a legal intern in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to the California Governor's Legal Office, the California Department of Justice's summer intern program, or public defender and district attorney offices across Los Angeles and San Francisco counties, all of which run structured programs designed for first-year law students with no prior legal work history. Law school clinics at UC Berkeley, UCLA School of Law, and UC Davis also place students directly with partner organizations. A strong writing sample and a completed first-semester legal writing course give candidates a meaningful edge over bare applications.
Where can I find and apply to legal intern jobs in California?
You can find and apply to legal intern jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across law firms, government agencies, and corporate legal departments. Find the roles that fit your practice area interest and class year, then apply directly to each employer through the listing.
See All 25 Legal Intern Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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