Legal Intern (Paid Internship – Summer 2027)

The San Diego City Attorney’s Office offers a paid Summer 2027 Internship program for highly qualified second-year (2L) law students. This opportunity provides a direct career pathway into one of California’s largest and most high-profile public interest law offices.

About the role

Legal Intern positions are open to a select number of law students who:

• Have completed their first year at an ABA-accredited law school
• Will graduate by June 2028
• Will sit for the California Bar Exam for the first time in July 2028
• Are available and interested in starting a career in the City Attorney’s Office immediately upon passing the California Bar Exam
• Are not currently, or have not previously been, licensed to practice law as an attorney

At the end of the program, Summer Legal Interns will be considered for a paid Post-bar Legal Intern position, beginning after the July 2028 California Bar Exam. This includes a conditional offer of employment as a Deputy City Attorney in the Criminal and Community Justice Division, with a projected start date of December 2028. Employment offers are contingent upon passing the July 2028 California Bar Exam, satisfactory performance as a Post-bar Legal Intern, and admission to practice in California.

Office overview

The City Attorney’s Office operates with over 400 staff members and a $96 million annual budget, serving as the City’s chief legal advisor and prosecutor.

Criminal Division

The Criminal and Community Justice Division has over 50 prosecutors who review over 15,000 cases per year. Specialty units include Domestic Violence & Sex Crimes, Appellate, Special Prosecutions, and Neighborhood Justice and Collaborative Courts. The Office handles misdemeanor crimes, focusing on deterring future criminal activity, reducing recidivism, and addressing root causes of criminal behavior through innovative rehabilitative and restorative justice programs.

Civil Division

The Civil Division has over 100 attorneys handling litigation and advisory work. Civil litigators defend the City in state and federal court across areas such as personal injury, environmental, land use, constitutional rights, labor and employment, and real property. The Office also pursues impactful plaintiff-side cases, including consumer protection and environmental litigation, and works on gun violence reduction through restraining orders and training.

Schedule

Interns must commit to working 40 hours per week from May 21, 2027, to July 30, 2027, with mandatory orientations on May 21 and 24, 2027. The program is in-person and includes rotations through both the Criminal and Civil Divisions, with approximately five weeks spent in each division.

Mentorship

Each Legal Intern will be assigned a supervising attorney in both the Criminal and Civil Divisions for one-on-one mentoring. Interns will also participate in regularly scheduled group meetings for practical training and discussion on topics of interest.

Responsibilities

Criminal Division

Legal Interns will investigate and prosecute misdemeanor criminal cases within San Diego’s jurisdiction. Duties include:

• Evaluating cases for legal sufficiency and constitutional compliance
• Communicating with victims and witnesses
• Assisting in preparing and reviewing affidavits for arrest warrants
• Identifying and subpoenaing witnesses, records, or other information
• Managing a case load independently
• Drafting discovery responses and complying with State and Federal discovery obligations
• Drafting and arguing complaints, briefs, motions, and other legal documents
• Conducting legal research
• Handling court appearances, arguing motions, and presenting misdemeanor jury trials

Civil Division

Legal Interns will participate in litigation and advisory/transactional assignments across various practice areas, including:

• Conducting legal research and writing memoranda
• Assisting with depositions, mediations, and trials
• Participating in client meetings
• Drafting discovery, correspondence, motions, briefs, and declarations
• Making court appearances
• Attending Council and Committee hearings
• Briefing Mayoral, City Council, and high-level City staff

Requirements

• On track to graduate on or before June 2028 with a Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school
• Must pass criminal background and reference checks
• Must become certified by the California State Bar to make court appearances (at the intern’s own time and expense) prior to the start of the internship

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will possess:

• A strong record of academic achievement
• Interest in both criminal justice and civil municipal law matters
• Ability to communicate clearly and succinctly
• Strong legal writing and oral advocacy skills
• Experience participating in moot court, law review, mock trial teams, or negotiation/mediation teams
• Detail-oriented skills, including prioritizing assignments and independently managing a workload
• Demonstrated good judgment, initiative, and ability to interact effectively with diverse personalities and work styles
• Demonstrated passion for public service and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Commitment to adhering to the highest standards of integrity and professional ethics

Application materials

To apply, submit the following documents:

• A letter of interest (cover letter) highlighting your interests in the Office and qualifications
• A writing sample (not to exceed 10 pages) demonstrating legal writing skills and original work product
• An unofficial law school transcript
• A current resumé

Pay

The starting hourly rate of pay for the Legal Intern position is $29.27. This limited hourly position is not eligible for benefits.

Interns who successfully complete the program will receive conditional offers to become a Deputy City Attorney in the Criminal and Community Justice Division. The starting salary for Deputy City Attorneys in December 2028 will be between $104,728 and $117,790, following anticipated salary increases.

Diversity and inclusion

The San Diego City Attorney's Office is deeply committed to diversity and inclusion, strongly encouraging applicants from diverse backgrounds. The Office has an active Committee for Diversity & Inclusion to support these efforts.

For more information about the Office or this Internship Program, email Senior Lead Deputy City Attorney Ken So at kso@sandiego.gov.