JOB ADVERTISMENT FOR
SUMMER 2026 INTERNSHIP

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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 CLSSD, 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.

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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The primary duties of the law student Internship include, but are not limited to:

• 12-hour Dependency Law training
• Participate in supervised practical training and provides support to the firm
• Weekly court observation
• If client consents, make court appearances
• Assist attorneys with creating effective case strategy, including interviewing witnesses, drafting oral arguments, reviewing evidence, and writing motions
• Communicate with clients in child-friendly, age-appropriate ways – exercising best practices in discussing sensitive/traumatic topics
• Conduct legal research
• Practice a holistic model of client representation, considering factors including an analysis of their client’s mental health, educational needs, emotional development, important relationships, and cultural roots
• Assist with communication with caregivers, social workers, and dependency counsel to obtain case plan and visitation progress on cases involving infants and toddlers
• Develop expertise in child-friendly, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive, interviewing skills;
• Participate in ongoing training to ensure a deep understanding of relevant local, state, and federal statutes, case law, and legal obligations under the California Welfare and Institutions Code
• Comply with the Rules of Professional Conduct and all other authority regarding legal ethics
• Perform other duties as assigned or required
• Attend and actively participate in all meetings held by Judicial Council

Qualifications:

• Applicants must currently be enrolled in an accredited law school
• Be eligible and willing to work as a certified law student through the California State Bar Practical Training of Law Students Program (PTLS). This includes ability to maintain PTLS certification pursuant California Rules of Court, Rule 9.42 and Rules of the State Bar, Title 3, Division 1, Chapter 1
• The ability to maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive information
• The ability to understand new concepts and apply them accurately
• The ability to follow general and detailed instructions as well as organizational policies and procedures
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to enable effective interface with internal and external professionals
• The ability to work independently or in a team environment
• A valid California driver’s license, reliable automobile, automobile insurance as required by California law, is required at all times while working for Children’s Legal Services of San Diego. Our juvenile courthouses are located in Kearny Mesa, El Cajon, and Vista. We also travel throughout the county to visit our clients in their homes.
• Ability to communicate and desire for continuing education, in a trauma-informed and culturally appropriate manner with persons of diverse backgrounds, including race, ethnicity, SOGIE, socioeconomic status, culture, etc.

Salary: anticipated $20.00 per hour
Hours: 24 – 30 hours per week

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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

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.

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LEGAL INTERNSHIPS

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The primary duties of the law student Internship include, but are not limited to:
 

• 12-hour Dependency Law training
• Participate in supervised practical training and provide support to the firm
• Weekly court observation
• If client consents, make court appearances
• Assist attorneys with creating effective case strategy, including interviewing witnesses, drafting oral arguments, reviewing evidence, and writing motions
• Communicate with clients in child-friendly, age-appropriate ways – exercising best practices in discussing sensitive/traumatic topics
• Conduct legal research
• Practice a holistic model of client representation, considering factors including an analysis of their client’s mental health, educational needs, emotional development, important relationships, and cultural roots
• Assist with communication with caregivers, social workers, and dependency counsel to obtain case plan and visitation progress on cases involving infants and toddlers
• Develop expertise in child-friendly, trauma-informed, and culturally sensitive, interviewing skills;
• Participate in ongoing training to ensure a deep understanding of relevant local, state, and federal statutes, case law, and legal obligations under the California Welfare and Institutions Code
• Comply with the Rules of Professional Conduct and all other authority regarding legal ethics
• Perform other duties as assigned or required
• Attend and actively participate in all meetings held by Judicial Council
 

Qualifications:
• Applicants must currently be enrolled in an accredited law school
• Be eligible and willing to work as a certified law student through the California State Bar Practical Training of Law Students Program (PTLS). This includes ability to maintain PTLS certification pursuant California Rules of Court, Rule 9.42 and Rules of the State Bar, Title 3, Division 1, Chapter 1
• The ability to maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive information
• The ability to understand new concepts and apply them accurately
• The ability to follow general and detailed instructions as well as organizational policies and procedures
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to enable effective interface with internal and external professionals
• The ability to work independently or in a team environment
• A valid California driver’s license, reliable automobile, automobile insurance as required by California law, is required at all times while working for Children’s Legal Services of San Diego. Our juvenile courthouses are located in Kearny Mesa, El Cajon, and Vista. We also travel throughout the county to visit our clients in their homes.
• Ability to communicate and desire for continuing education, in a trauma-informed and culturally appropriate manner with persons of diverse backgrounds, including race, ethnicity, SOGIE, socioeconomic status, culture, etc.

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

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.​

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