Graduate Legal Intern Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Post-Graduate Legal Clinic Fellow
Posting #: 5682
Position Status: Full-time temporary
Location: San Diego
Position Type: Staff, School of Law
Position Title & Department:
Post-Graduate Legal Clinic Fellow; School of Law - Legal Clinics
Posting #
5682
Department Description:USD School of Law is one of the 84 law schools elected to the Order of the Coif, a national honor society for law school graduates. The law school's faculty is a strong group of outstanding scholars and teachers with national and international reputations and currently ranks in the top 20% (36th out of 204) among U.S. law schools in scholarly impact according to a 2018 study. The school is accredited by the American Bar Association and is a member of the Association of American Law Schools. Founded in 1954, the law school is part of the University of San Diego, a private, independent, Roman Catholic university chartered in 1949.
University Description:
The University of San Diego, an engaged and contemporary Catholic institution, was founded by the Diocese of San Diego and the Society of the Sacred Heart in 1949. Governed by an independent board of trustees since 1972, USD remains committed to a liberal arts education grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the pursuit of truth, goodness and beauty. Inspired by this centuries old tradition of Catholic higher education, the University welcomes people of all faith traditions and any, or no, religious background. The future success of USD relies on the contributions of those who seek to foster the development of engaged global citizens and an earnest confrontation of humanity's urgent challenges.
Detailed Description:
This is a full-time, temporary, benefit-based position with an anticipated end date of December 31, 2026. The appointment is renewable at the discretion of the University and dependent upon performance and continued funding.
Performs administrative, technical, and legal work for assigned client-based services in the Legal Clinics, including but not limited to Civil Law, Entrepreneurship Law, Education & Disability Law, Immigration Law, Family Law, and Tax Law.
Supervises assigned legal interns in the production of work in the Legal Clinics; makes independent decisions regarding legal procedures and client interaction; tracks and manages caseload for assigned clinic(s); manages intern work in the absence of the supervising attorney.
Monitors the case management system for continued compliance with clinic policies and procedures to ensure quality representation. Provides quality assurance and control for assigned clinic(s).
Provides direct legal support daily to assigned clinics, including legal research; supervision of intern work; oral and written communication with clients, opposing counsel, and courts; preparation of legal memos and pleadings; and other legal work as required.
Communicates regularly and negotiates frequently with external parties such as the courts and opposing counsel.
Provides quality assurance and control by reviewing all assigned client files; monitors all existing deadlines and inputs any new deadlines in the case management system calendar; creates, prepares, and updates weekly detailed case review reports for supervising attorney(s).
Duties and Responsibilities:
The Legal Clinics are a small to mid-sized law office, providing free legal services in an academic setting to low-income and underserved clients in the San Diego community.

• Supervises legal interns in document production and client interaction;
• Prepares and distributes to Supervising Attorney(s) a detailed case review report on the status of all assigned cases on a weekly basis;
• Communicates regularly with Supervising Attorney(s), the Academic Director, opposing parties, the court, legal interns, and other clinic staff;
• Monitors the case management system for compliance with clinic policies and procedures;
• Drafts legal pleadings, research memos, and other necessary legal documents; and
• Makes court appearances (if licensed) on behalf of clinic clients.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

• California Bar Examination (awaiting results) or current membership in good standing in the California State Bar.

Special Conditions of Employment:

• This is a full-time position requiring at least 35 hours per week.
• Must be able to work evenings and weekends as needed.
• Must be able to travel as needed.

Background check: Successful completion of a pre-employment background check.
Degree Verification Requirement: Persons offered employment in this position will be required to provide official education transcripts for degree verification purposes.
Job Requirements:
Minimum Qualifications:

• J.D. degree.
• California Bar Examination (awaiting results) or active membership in the California State Bar (in good standing).

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience dealing with community-based organizations and volunteer groups.
• Experience serving as a legal intern in legal clinics.
• Recent graduate of a Council-accredited law school.

Performance Expectations - Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Creativity, initiative, flexibility.
• Excellent research, writing, and communication skills.
• Familiarity with computerized case management systems for legal practice.
• Demonstrated skills in customer service, including problem-solving.
• Ability to communicate effectively both in person and in writing.
• This position is open to qualified graduates of all Council-accredited law schools.

Posting Salary:
$25.00 per hour; Excellent Benefits
The University of San Diego offers a very competitive benefits package including; medical, dental, vision, a retirement contribution given to you by the University, and access to on-campus Fitness Centers. Please visit the benefits section of our website to view all of the perks and benefits that USD has to offer. USD: Human Resources: Benefits
The salary range provided in this posting reflects what we reasonably expect to pay for this position. Actual compensation offered or earned is dependent on experience, education and other factors including departmental budget.
Special Application Instructions:
Resume and Cover Letter Required
Click the 'Apply Now' button to complete our online application. In addition, please upload a cover letter and resume to your application profile for the hiring managers' review. If you have any questions or difficulties please contact the Employment Services Team at jobs@sandiego.edu.
Additional Details:
37.5 Hours per week
Closing date: Open until filled
Note: External job postings will be up for at least three days. After that time, applications will be reviewed by the hiring manager/committee throughout the posting period. A candidate may be selected at any time which could then close this posting on a date earlier than listed.
The University of San Diego is a smoking and tobacco-free campus. For more information, visit www.sandiego.edu/smokefree.
Advertised: August 13, 2026 Pacific Daylight Time
Applications close:
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