Law Clerk Summer Intern- Unpaid

The City
The City of Santa Rosa is currently seeking an exceptional law student for an unpaid law clerk internship for the summer of 2025. This position offers a hands-on opportunity to be part of a dynamic, diverse, and knowledgeable organization committed to excellence in serving a thriving community.   The successful candidate will see how local government works and learn the important role of a government attorney in advancing the goals of elected officials and appointed officials.

The Department
The Santa Rosa City Attorney's Office is comprised of highly-skilled attorneys, paraprofessionals and administrative support staff. It is a fast-paced, collegial and forward-looking office, highly regarded by local judges, public and private attorneys, the City Council and City employees.

The City Attorney's Office invites law school students to apply for the opportunity to intern under experienced public law attorneys serving a variety of roles. This is an excellent opportunity for a motivated individual with a strong interest in public service to gain experience with municipal law issues and play a role in providing key services for our City and community.

Candidates will be considered based on, among other things, oral and written communication, proficiency in legal research and interest in public service. While we are looking for a summer intern, exact start and end dates are flexible.

Interns do not have property rights to permanently allocated positions. In addition, interns  are not eligible for any of the privileges or benefits that are associated with regular employee status.The Position
The Santa Rosa City Attorney's Office is a fast-paced environment in which public law attorneys take on innovative projects in numerous areas of the law. Examples of projects that an intern may be involved with include:
 

• Working closely with the City's planning team to research, analyze, and propose legislation and local policies to help advance the City Council's priorities for addressing housing needs and climate resilience in the City of Santa Rosa. Assisting in the evaluation of proposed projects under the California Environmental Quality Act, Subdivision Map Act, Planning and Zoning Law, and the City Code. Conducting research, collecting and analyzing data, and preparing draft documents related to affordable housing, environmental planning, transportation, urban design, and code enforcement.
• Supporting the City Attorney's Office in providing general municipal law advice and assistance, including reviewing City Council agendas and staff reports, conflicts of interest issues, Public Records Act requests, and other City policy documents.
• Providing transactional support and advice to City departments, including drafting and assisting with review, negotiation, interpretation and administration of City contracts.
• Attending and assisting with preparation for City Council and departmental meetings, gaining valuable insight into City operations and policy development at the local level.
• Conducting legal research on a wide range of issues, including constitutional and administrative law issues.
• Assisting litigation attorneys in preparation of motions and discovery in civil and criminal matters, potentially to include demurrers, discovery motions, and motions for summary judgment in civil matters, and, in criminal proceedings, oppositions to Pitchess/Brady motions seeking disclosure of police officers' confidential personnel files, and motions to prevent the return of firearms seized during arrests. The intern may also be asked to assist in trial preparation including document organization, summaries of witness testimony, pre- trial filing and motions.
• When possible, the intern will be invited to accompany attorneys to depositions, court appearances and public meetings.

Enrollment in an accredited law school. Law students must be available a minimum of 20 hours per week, with potential to increase to 30 hours per week, and establish a regular schedule in the office during the internship.INFORMATION TO SUBMIT WITH YOUR APPLICATION:

Please submit the following documents along with your application:

• A cover letter explaining why you are interested in this internship and municipal law   
• A resume or CV
• A copy of your law school transcript  
• A writing sample that reflects little or no editing by others
• Two or three academic or work references

 To complete an application, please click HERE.