Internship Program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Internship Program

Who is eligible?

Students currently enrolled in an accredited law school are eligible to participate in the City Attorney's intern program.

How do I apply?

To apply, send a cover letter, resume, and brief writing sample to:

Marisa Moret
Managing Attorney
City Hall, Room 234
1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place
San Francisco, CA 94102

*Please note: Applications submitted via email or fax will not be considered.

When is the application deadline?

Be sure to read the Internship Program Schedule below. Applications must be RECEIVED by the deadline.

What types of internships do you have? Do I get paid? Do I get credit?

The San Francisco City Attorney's Office offers clinical, volunteer and work-study internships to law school students during the spring, summer and fall.

• Volunteer: The volunteer internship is unpaid. We accept students from accredited law schools for the volunteer internship.
• Clinical: A clinical internship is also unpaid. However, the intern receives school credit. An agreement between the law school’s dean of students and the office must be established before accepting a clinical intern.
• Work Study: In order for an intern to participate in the work-study program the intern must have federal work-study funds available and the City must have a current work-study contract with the intern’s law school. The City may not be the employer of work-study students. Work-study students may not work more than 20 hours per week during the school year. They may not work more than forty hours per week during the summer. No overtime is allowed. Work-study students must not exceed their work-study award. The amount of the award is determined by the student’s financial need and is unique to each student

Do you offer internships to law school graduates waiting for bar results?

No, the program is only open to current law school students.

When do the internships start and end?

Generally, the spring internship begins mid-January and ends mid-April. The summer internship begins in early June and ends in early August. The fall internship begins in early September and ends in early November.

See Internship Program Schedule below for important dates relating to the program.

What are the minimum requirements?

Applicants must be enrolled at an accredited law school and be able to work a minimum of 10 hours per week during the spring and fall.  Applicants must be available to work a minimum of 20 hours per week in the summer.

How many interns does the office take?

The number varies from year to year based on the office's need for interns. Typically, we host approximately twenty-five interns in the fall and spring and upwards of thirty-five in the summer.

What type of assignments do interns perform?

Interns assist Deputy City Attorneys in drafting statutes and regulations, reviewing contracts, representing the City in court and before administrative agencies and advising the Mayor, the Board of Supervisors, and various agencies and departments of the City. Work varies depending on the team on which a student interns.

What type of training will I receive?

All interns attend an office orientation, which explains our role in City government, office structure and procedures. Interns also receive training on how to use the computer network. Each team provides interns with training to complete their assignments. Additionally, the office's continuing legal education seminars are open to interns.

What type of relationship can I expect to have with the Deputy City Attorneys?

The office encourages deputies to mentor interns and provide constructive feedback. Interns typically work closely on projects with at least two to three attorneys. Additionally, the team's intern coordinator works to ensure the intern has a manageable workload, is learning from assignments, and is receiving feedback.

What type of supervision will I have?

Each team in the City Attorney's Office has an intern coordinator. The intern coordinator runs intern meetings, distributes assignments and provides feedback. Additionally, interns will work directly for other deputies on the team.

What type of activities will I be able to participate in and observe?

When appropriate, interns are invited to Board, committee and client meetings, trials and depositions. Additionally, each season the office schedules lectures, events and tours for the interns. Events vary depending on the season and have included: a tour of Pacific Bell Park, a ride on a Fireboat, a tour of the Animal Care and Control facility, a tour of the Youth Guidance Center and an insider's view of the courts.

What types of research materials will I have access to?

The City Attorney's Office has an extensive legal library, an librarian, and a full range of electronic research materials including Lexis Nexis and Westlaw.

What are the teams in the City Attorney's Office?

Attorneys in the City Attorney's Office are organized into teams based on practice areas. We encourage intern candidates to state a team preference in their cover letter, however, final assignments are based on office needs. Internships may be available on any of the following teams:

• Airport (located at SFO)
• Child Protection and Family Services*
• Code Enforcement*
• Contracts & Construction*
• Complex Litigation*
• Energy and Telecommunications
• Ethics & Elections
• Finance and Real Estate
• Government*
• Health & Human Services
• Labor*
• Land Use*
• Litigation*
• Port (located at Pier 1 in San Francisco)
• Public Utilities
• Taxation
• Transportation
• Workers' Compensation*

* Teams that handle litigation matters

Will I be offered a job at the end of my internship?

Interns are not usually offered a position in the office immediately after their internship. The office typically hires attorneys with two to three years of experience.

What have past participants in the City Attorney's Internship Program had to say about it?

Not only do our interns gain great legal experience while interning with our office, they have a great time too.  Our past interns have had a lot of great things to say about our program.

• "I went in to my summer at the City Attorney's office expecting that it would be an incredibly interesting and exciting experience. My summer exceeded those expectations. I was able to help the office advocate for SRO tenants in federal court, define the effects of proposed legislation, research solutions to problems facing small business owners, and even got to explain case law to an elected official. And I did it all under the supervision of incredibly talented, interesting, and dedicated attorneys and alongside the most engaging group of fellow interns I could have asked for. I cannot think of a better way for anyone interested in municipal law, public interest law, or the intersection of law and policy to spend the summer than at the San Francisco City Attorney's office."
  
  

  -- Diego, Harvard Law School
  

   
• "Interning at the City Attorney's Office affords students the incredible opportunity to work on key issues that truly impact the lives of San Franciscans. From policy research to legislative drafting, litigation and advice meetings, interns dive right into the heart of the City Attorney's robust practice. My internship helped me gain an understanding of the complex and interesting work public sector attorneys do, particularly those who work for a city as exciting as San Francisco. The experience is invaluable!"
  
  

  -- Kristen, Boston University School of Law
  
  
• Spending my summer at the City Attorney’s office with the Elections and Ethics team gave me valuable insight into what it means to be a municipal lawyer. I had the chance to research and write on cutting edge issues, including the proposed ban on circumcision, which involved free exercise and equal protection implications. My supervising attorneys invited me to court appearances, commission meetings, and other proceedings as well as team lunches. It was an invaluable hands-on experience where I was given increasing responsibility including the opportunity to write a brief. I would recommend the program to anyone interested in the role local government plays in ensuring the rights of its citizens."
  
  
  -- Mary, UC Hastings College of the Law
  
  

• "My summer internship with the SF City Attorney was invaluable. From Day 1, I was included on substantive research, writing, and other trial team projects. I had an opportunity to draft a complaint that resulted in a settlement for the City, conduct research for a cert petition, and represent the City in Small Claims Court. Everyone on the team was friendly and welcoming, making it fun as well as informative to observe trials and depositions. Our supervisor was especially responsive in alerting interns to new opportunities and providing advice on navigating our legal careers. The program manager was also helpful in organizing relevant luncheons and tours. Whether you are interested in working at a law firm or a public sector organization, I highly recommend applying to the City's internship program!"
  
  

  -- Mia, Columbia Law School
  
  
  

Internship Program Schedule

The following is the most up-to-date schedule of deadlines and other key dates for the San Francisco City Attorney Internship Program.