Children’s Legal Services of San Diego (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.  CLSSD values diversity, which includes not only race and ethnicity, but also gender, sexual orientation, age, lifestyle and abilities. 

 

Children’s Legal Services of San Diego is the non-profit law firm in San Diego County that provides court-appointed representation to children, ages 0 - 17 who are the subject of abuse and neglect proceedings in San Diego County’s juvenile dependency court system.  We also provide representation to non-minor dependents, ages 18 – 21, who are participating in Extended Foster Care. 

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Children’s Legal Services of San Diego offers legal internships to second and third year law students who are interested in a juvenile dependency career and who are eligible for certification by the State Bar of California.  Our internship experience includes training about  legal foundations of dependency law and practical day-to-day practice.  Interns receive an initial 12 hour training followed by on the job mentorship from experienced dependency attorneys.  A legal internship at CLSSD offers law students the opportunity to work closely with their assigned intern supervising attorney, prepare cases, meet with clients, attend trainings, conduct legal research and, when possible, the opportunity to appear in court. 

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Prior to the internship start date, interns are expected to apply to the State Bar for their certification.  To be certified, the State Bar requires the student be taking or have taken Civil Procedure and Evidence.  More information about the State Bar of California’s Practical Training of Law Students (PTLS)  available at https://www.calbar.ca.gov/admissions/special-admissions/practical-training-of-law-students

 

Interns must be earning course credit or participating in a fellowship or community grant program.  We are unable to accommodate volunteers.

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Internships are available for a minimum of 12 hours per week and a maximum of 24 hours per week.  Internship hours will be determined by attorney availability for the semester.

 

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Application must include the following documents:

• Cover Letter,

• Resume,

• Unofficial transcript, and

• Your school’s internship requirements

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To apply, send application materials to Carol.Leon@clssandiego.org

 

Subject line should state your last name, first initial and period for which you are applying to intern, i.e. “Smith, J Fall 2024”

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Cover letters must include the following information:

• Internship start and end dates,

• The number of internship hours per week sought,

• Courthouse locations you will accept.  There are juvenile dependency departments at

     courthouses in El Cajon, Vista and Kearny Mesa. 

• Your school’s requirements of CLSSD (ex. internship evaluation, meeting with faculty)

 

Application Deadlines *Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.   Interviews may occur at any time.  Preferred deadlines are:

• Spring semester: October 1st

• Fall semester: March 1st

• Summer semester: accepted throughout the year but no later than March 1st

 

Applications not submitted in the manner requested may not be reviewed.

 

SELECTION PROCESS:

Intern candidates will be interviewed by CLSSD attorneys.

​Internship offers are subject to successful completion of a background check.

 

Questions should be directed to Karen Prosek, Director of Legal Services, KarenP@clssandiego.org