Office of Chief Trial Counsel - Law Clerk (Summer 2025 Internship)

Job Description

Office of Chief Trial Counsel

Hourly Rate: $25.99

FLSA: Non-exempt / Non-union represented

This position allows for up to 4 days of remote work per week.

About the Office

The Office of Chief Trial Counsel (OCTC) is the enforcement arm of the attorney discipline system. OCTC handles intake, investigation, and prosecution in State Bar Court of allegations that attorneys have violated the State Bar Act or the Rules of Professional Conduct. The office also receives, reviews, and investigates complaints alleging unauthorized practice of law by non-attorneys.

Definition

The Law Clerk, under general supervision of a member of the State Bar, performs legal research, drafts legal documents and provides assistance in the timely processing of legal advice and or litigation.

Position Summary

The Law Clerk will review additional mail on cases previously closed in Intake and discuss with the assigned attorney regarding possible new action; review reciprocal discipline cases from other jurisdictions to identify California violations; and assist with review of complaints against disbarred/deceased attorneys.

Minimum Qualifications

Must be enrolled in an accredited law school with an academic standing of C or better.

The Ideal Candidate

• Commitment to the State Bar's values of clarity, excellence, respect, and a growth mindset.
• Interest in learning and working in the public sector.
• Ability to collaborate with various areas of the State Bar.
• Available to work 10 weeks full-time from Ma/June through early August 2025.
• Hybrid remote schedule, working 1 day per week in the Los Angeles office.
• Candidate must reside in CA and be able to go into the office at least once a week.

Letter of Interest (Required)

In addition to completing the State Bar application, include a letter of interest providing information about why you are interested in the role, and highlighting the knowledge, skills and abilities that you bring to the role. The letter of interest should be limited to one page.

Application Deadline: Application will close at 5 pm on January 31, 2025

Examples of Essential Duties

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Performs research and analyses of files, case laws, statutes and other relevant material pertaining to legal issues and prepares appropriate legal memoranda and draft reports.
• Screens, files, indexes and circulates legal documents and periodicals. In addition, prepares materials for the purpose of updating State Bar publications relating to the professional and ethical responsibilities of lawyers and develops other materials for the education of the bench, bar and public concerning the professional and ethical responsibilities of lawyers.
• Contacts complaining witnesses and respondents' attorneys to arrange for depositions, hearings and prepares summaries of lengthy depositions and transcripts.
• Responds to telephone inquiries from members of the State Bar and analyzes written inquires and prepares draft responses in accordance with policy, procedures and guidelines approves by the State Bar. In addition, may receive complaints in person or over the telephone regarding attorney misbehavior and analyzes written inquires and prepares draft responses in accordance.
• Destroys confidential materials after statutory period expires.
• May perform a number of other similar or related duties which may not be specifically included within this position description, but which are consistent with the general level of the job and the responsibilities described.

Employment Standards

Knowledge of:

• Basic legal research methods and procedures.
• Legal principles and their applications.
• Computerized communication and processing systems.
• Principles of effective legal writing and verbal presentations.
• Principles of problem identification, analysis and evaluation.
• Rules of evidence and conduct or proceedings in trial and appellate courts in California.
• Scope and character of federal and California statutory law and provisions of federal and California constitutions.

Ability to:

• Analyze legal issues and apply appropriate legal principles.
• Review and analyze complex written documents.
• Receive and relay detailed information through verbal and written communication.
• Possess visual capability and digital dexterity to operate a computer and other standard office equipment.
• Communicate clearly and effectively in person and in writing.
• Make fine visual distinctions upon proofreading written document and viewing information on a computer screen.
• Endure long periods of sitting.
• Digital dexterity to assemble, retrieve and replace files.
• Obtain and present material in oral and/or written form.
• Handle public contact by telephone.

What You Will Receive

• Access to professional development and wellness sessions.
• Working directly with leadership within the State Bar.
• Virtual events with other interns.
• Ability to network, gain experience, and contribute to work that protects all Californians.
• Gain relevant experience through projects and assignments.

About the State Bar

The State Bar of California's mission is to protect the public and includes the primary functions of licensing, regulation, and discipline of attorneys; the advancement of the ethical and competent practice of law; and support of efforts for greater access to, and inclusion in, the legal system.

Our Values

Clarity | Investing in Our People | Excellence | Respect | Growth Mindset

Learn more about our values.

DEI Statement

We are a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace where all of our employees and prospective employees experience fairness, dignity, and respect.

Learn more about our commitment to DEI.

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• The State Bar of California

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