Internship​/Law Clerk; Fall

Position: Internship / Law Clerk (Fall 2026)
salary: $0.00 hourly
location : los angeles city hall
job type: internship
job number: 2026-soo-lcfall
branch: special opportunities
division: volunteers & internships
opening date: 09/12/2025
bargaining unit: n/a

about us

the office of the los angeles city attorney is one of the nation's largest municipal law offices. With over 1,000 legal professionals, including 500 attorneys, the office provides the city with the highest caliber legal services, ranging from prosecuting criminal misdemeanors, playing a leading role in criminal justice reform, advising on homelessness initiatives, defending civil lawsuits and claims, and bringing civil enforcement actions in the name of the people of the state of california.

guided by an overarching commitment to integrity, accountability and transparency, we find great meaning in the work we do and the services we provide.

we seek collaborative team players who understand that fulfilling our mission is key to making a positive impact.
description
history of the los angeles city attorney's office
"the city attorney is both the city government's lawyer and a criminal prosecutor. In its early days, los angeles had a prosecutor whose duty was to defend public rights. One of the municipal officers specified in the 1850 act of incorporation was the city attorney. The 1925 charter added a city prosecutor. That office was abolished in 1932, and the city attorney assumed its duties.

The city attorney shares responsibility for prosecuting crime in the city with the elected district attorney of the county of los angeles. The district attorney prosecutes felonies while the city attorney prosecutes misdemeanor violations occurring in the city. The city attorney handles more than 100,000 misdemeanor cases a year. The city attorney's municipal counsel branch acts as the lawyer for departments, elected officials and city commissions.

As counsel to the city, the city attorney may be asked to interpret the city charter, a document that may sometimes be open to several interpretations. Another important duty of the city attorney is to represent the city in civil litigation. The city attorney works with city departments on risk management issues to reduce legal liability for the city and also defends the city in cases involving workers' compensation.

City officials. Departments and commissions rely on the city attorney for advice on how to provide public notice of meetings and how to run meetings with due regard for public comment. The city attorney now also advises neighborhood councils, as it does other city bodies and departments. On an as-needed basis".

-dr. Raphael j. Sonenshein . Los angeles: structure of a city government.

league of women voters of los angeles. 2006
duties and responsibilities
internship

the office of the city attorney invites students currently enrolled in high school, an undergraduate program or a master's program. We have opportunities available in various branches and divisions of the office. Review the description of each branch and division here.

law clerk

the office of the city attorney invites students currently enrolled in law school (1l, 2l or 3l) or in an llm program to consider us for an internship. We have opportunities available in various branches and divisions of the office. Review the description of each branch and division here.

law clerk applicants may qualify to be a certified law clerk. For more details visit. I

internship / law clerk sessions

sessionprogram datesfallseptember - novemberspringmarch - maysummerjune - august
requirements
the los angeles city attorney's office requires that law clerks commit a minimum of 16-hours a week up to a full time schedule of 40-hours a week. The office is open monday through friday, 9am to 5pm.

must submit the following for the application

• cover letter
• resume

supplemental information

location
placement can take place in any of the city attorney's offices throughout the city of los angeles. Location options and preferences will be discussed with applicants selected for an interview.

questions
contact danette garcia
as a covered entity under title il of the americans with disabilities act, the city of los angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and, upon request, will provide reasonable accommodation to ensure equal access to its programs, services and activities. To request a reasonable accommodation, please call the human resources division at .
this position is not eligible for benefits.