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.
STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES
​​​​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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This round of applications is CLOSED. Please check back for future opportunities. ​
Spring 2027 application process will open in May 2026.
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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.
LEGAL INTRENSHIPS
Supplemental Questions
​STAFF ATTORNEY
CLSSD, located in the Kearny Mesa area of San Diego, is seeking a Full-Time Staff Attorney position. The 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. For children and youth under age 18, CLSSD Attorneys serve as their attorney and Guardian Ad Litem. Attorneys are required to comply with CLSSD’s visitation policies, which often require Attorneys to travel to visit their clients. The Attorney may be required to appear on cases in any of the courtrooms throughout San Diego County.
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TO APPLY, SEND RESUME AND COVER LETTER TO CAROL.LEON@CLSSANDIEGO.ORG
STAFF ATTORNEY
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 Beth Ploesch at BethP@clssandiego.org.
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​​Children’s Legal Services of San Diego, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, ancestry, disability, medical condition, age, or gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.​
