EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
We are looking for committed and passionate advocates for San Diego’s children and foster youth.
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If you are interested in applying to any of the positions listed below, please submit your resume in a PDF ATTACHMENT ONLY TO BE CONSIDERED.
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Thank you for your interest in CLSSD.
We will contact you if we would like to schedule an interview.
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CURRENT OPEN POSITIONS
Children's Legal Services of San Diego, Inc. (CLSSD) is a nonprofit public benefit corporation, which advocates for children and youth who are the subject of abuse and neglect proceedings in the San Diego County juvenile dependency court system. CLSSD is dedicated to high quality, comprehensive legal representation. Our firms are court-appointed to represent both minors and non-minor dependents in Juvenile Dependency Courts in San Diego County. At CLS, diversity, in the fullest sense of the word, which includes not only race and ethnicity, but also gender, sexual orientation, age, lifestyle, and abilities, is valued. Diverse individuals and individuals who have lived experience in the child welfare, juvenile justice, or youth homelessness systems are strongly encouraged to apply.
BILINGUAL (Spanish) INVESTIGATOR
CLSSD is seeking a full-time Bilingual (Spanish) Investigator. The primary responsibility of the Bilingual Investigator position is to provide support CLS attorneys about our clients. Investigators visit clients in their home placements, at school, and other locations, to gather information from and about our clients. This includes information about the conditions of the home, health and safety concerns, developmental progress, medical and educational issues, service needs and family relationships.
CLS Investigators should have a working knowledge of child abuse, child development, domestic violence, child sexual exploitation, substance abuse, and mental health issues. Investigators must have an ability to connect with children and gain their trust. They must be able to work with children of all ages, genders, religions, races, ethnicities, sexual orientations and from all socioeconomic backgrounds.
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INVESTIGATOR
Post Bar Supplemental Questions
Post Bar Law Clerk
POST BAR LAW CLERK (Fall 2026)
CLSSD is seeking a Post Bar Law Clerk. The Post Bar Law Clerk will work under the supervision of an experienced CLSSD attorney. The Post Bar Law Clerk will have the opportunity to directly represent CLSSD’s clients in all aspects of their dependency court proceedings. This is a 12-week position beginning in August 2026. Upon passage of the July 2026 Exam and admission to the California State Bar, the Post Bar Law Clerk will be considered for, but not guaranteed, employment with CLSSD if there are available positions.
TO APPLY, PLEASE SEND THE FOLLOWING APPLICATION MATERIALS TO CAROL.LEON@CLSSANDIEGO.ORG
• COVER LETTER
• RESUME
• UNOFFICIAL LAW SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT
• CLSSD SUPPLEMENTAL APPLICATION
Applications will be accepted until January 26, 2026. Incomplete applications may not be reviewed.​
STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES
SUMMER 2026 INTERNSHIP
​​​​​​​​​​​​CLSSD, located in the Kearny Mesa area of San Diego, is seeking summer law student Interns. The law student Internship is under the supervision of an experienced CLSSD attorney. The Intern will have the opportunity to work directly with our team to represent CLSSD’s clients in all aspects of their dependency court proceedings. This is a summer position from June – August. The position, length of internships and compensation are subject to funding from the Judicial Council of California. If funded, it is anticipated interns will work 24 - 30 hours per week for a 10-week period and be compensated at the hourly rate of $20 per hour.
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Questions should be directed to Karen Prosek, Director of Legal Services, KarenP@clssandiego.org
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TO APPLY, PLEASE SEND THE FOLLOWING APPLICATION MATERIALS TO CAROL.LEON@CLSSANDIEGO.ORG
• COVER LETTER
• RESUME
• UNOFFICIAL LAW SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT
• CLSSD SUPPLEMENTAL APPLICATION
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Applications will be accepted until January 26, 2026. Incomplete applications may not be reviewed.​​​
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LEGAL INTERNSHIPS​
CLSSD offers law students internship opportunities throughout the year. The law student Intern is supervised by an experienced CLSSD attorney. Legal interns will have the opportunity to work directly with our team to represent CLSSD’s clients in all aspects of their dependency court proceedings.​
Salary: unpaid; student must be earning school credit
Hours: 16 – 30 hours per week
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TO APPLY, PLEASE SEND THE FOLLOWING APPLICATION MATERIALS TO CAROL.LEON@CLSSANDIEGO.ORG
• COVER LETTER
• RESUME
• UNOFFICIAL LAW SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT
• CLSSD SUPPLEMENTAL APPLICATION
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Applications will be accepted until January 26, 2026. Incomplete applications may not be reviewed.​
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While we make every effort to respond to applicants promptly, our commitment to client-focused nonprofit work may sometimes impact response times. Thank you for your understanding and for your interest in joining our mission.
SUMMER INTERN (PAID)
LEGAL INTRENSHIPS
Supplemental Questions
Supplemental Questions
NON-EMPLOYEE OPPORTUNITIES
Independent Contractor - PANEL ATTORNEY
​CLSSD, is seeking attorneys for our Conflict Attorney Panel.
The Panel Attorney is an independent contractor subject to a legal agreement between the Panel Attorney and CLSSD. The Panel Attorney is responsible for representing clients who range between the ages of 0-21 years old who are dependents of the juvenile courts in San Diego County when there is a conflict within CLSSD’s internal firms. For children and youth under age 18, Panel Attorneys serve as their attorney and Guardian Ad Litem. Panel Attorneys are required to visit and to communicate with clients. Panel Attorneys may be required to appear on cases in any of the courtrooms throughout San Diego County. Dependency cases are heard in the following courthouses: El Cajon, Vista and Meadowlark (located in Kearny Mesa). Panel Attorneys must meet the competency/training requirements outlined in San Diego Local Rule of Court 6.3.3 and must meet the standards of representation described in San Diego Local Rule of Court 6.3.4.
PANEL ATTORNEY
Independent Contractor - WRITS ATTORNEY
We are seeking writ attorneys to contact when a writ is needed. Writ attorneys will be independent contractors and not eligible for CLSSD benefits.
Dependency writ and appellate experience preferred. For further information, please contact Karen Prosek, Director of Legal Services, at KarenP@clssandiego.org, 858-264-7460
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