Certified (2L) Law Clerks under the Bar of California’s Practical Training of Law Students 

(PTLS) guide will allow law students to make appearances in court under the supervision of a Deputy District Attorney (DDA). Law clerks conduct legal research on case law, statutes, and regulations to assist attorneys in preparing for trials, motions, and other legal proceedings. They may also draft legal documents, memoranda, and briefs. 

Law clerks help manage cases by organizing and maintaining files, tracking deadlines, and ensuring that all necessary documentation is prepared and submitted in a timely manner. Law clerks assist with trial preparation, including gathering evidence, preparing exhibits, and coordinating with witnesses. Certified law clerks are required to adhere to strict confidentiality and ethical guidelines in their work. 

Certified students are expected to work full-time during the summer between the second and third year of law school, but no more than 75 hours in 2 weeks. Certified students have the choice of   1-3 rotations. Locations vary depending on the assignment. At the beginning of the summer, students are given a list of the assignments that meet the needs of the District Attorney’s Office. Students can then rank their choice of rotations and the number of rotations. Personal preference is not guaranteed but weighted heavily. All rotations are designed to provide opportunities to appear in court. 

Program Dates: 10 weeks (early Jun. – early Aug.). 

Compensation:  Approximately $31 per hour 

Requirements:  

1. Completion of 1 year of Law School 
2. Strong analytical, research & writing skills. 

 Course Requirements: 

1. Criminal Law 
2. Criminal or Civil Procedure 
3. Evidence 

Law Clerks (2L/3L) are welcome to gain practical lawyering experience during the Fall and Spring semesters volunteering and gained school externship credit. The Criminal Law (Prosecution) Clinic provide more opportunities (at least 14 weeks) for certified law clerks to appear in court than the 10-week summer program. 

Program Dates:

Fall  (Sep. – mid Dec.) 10 – 14 weeks
Spring (Jan. – mid. Apr.) 10- 14 weeks

Compensation:  Externship Credit Only 

Applying: Second year law students have two (2) options to apply: 

Option 1: Apply through your law school’s Criminal Law (Prosecution) Clinic.  

Option 2: Second year law students can email their resume, cover letter and unofficial transcript to the District Attorney’s Recruitment Unit at DARecruiting@acgov.org.

Post-Bar Graduate Law Clerks under the Bar of California’s Practical Training of Law Students 

(PTLS) guide will allow law students to make appearances in court under the supervision of a Deputy District Attorney (DDA). Law clerks conduct legal research on case law, statutes, and regulations to assist attorneys in preparing for trials, motions, and other legal proceedings. They may also draft legal documents, memoranda, and briefs. 

Program Dates:  18 weeks (early Sep. – end of Dec.).

Compensation:  Approximately $33 per hour 

Requirements: 

1. Graduation from an accredited law school earning a Juris doctorate (J.D.).
2. Prior experience as a Certified Summer Law Clerk 

Applying: Second year law students have two (2) options to apply: 

Option 1: Second year law students can participate in their own law school’s On-Campus Interview/Recruitment Program (OCI/OCR); or

Option 2: Second year law students can email their resume, cover letter and unofficial transcript to the District Attorney’s Recruitment Unit at DARecruiting@acgov.org. (Deadline Dec. 31st).