2026 Summer Law Clerk

POSITION TITLE: SUMMER LAW CLERK

Salary: $22/hr.

Job Snapshot

Law Clerk Program

Childrens Law Center of California (CLC) selects the top 20-25 candidates from law schools around the nation to participate in our full-time 10-week program. Summer clerks learn about the Los Angeles or Sacramento County dependency court systems while developing crucial legal skills and learning to think critically about a wide range of child and family welfare issues.

Law clerks are assigned to work one-on-one with licensed attorneys on matters involving children and families within the Los Angeles Sacramento and Placer County child welfare systems. This is a unique hands-on learning opportunity for law clerks to assist attorneys with both client engagement and trial preparation including witness interviews legal research and the preparation of motions and other court documents. Law clerks will attend juvenile court proceedings on a daily basis and witness how this system addresses the needs of families in crisis.

Qualified law clerks are also encouraged to become certified through the California State Bars Practical Training of Law Students (PTLS) program to make court appearances on behalf of young clients. The CLC Summer for Strengthening Families Law Clerk Program features a comprehensive orientation and training schedule including weekly internal and external opportunities and field trips to engage with our work beyond the courtroom.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Engaging directly with clients throughout the 10-week program including observing interviewing and supporting in the legal processes under attorney supervision.
• Attend daily juvenile court hearings depositions and other legal proceedings as needed.
• Communicate regularly with the attorneys both verbally and in writing regarding the status of caseloads and assignments and with all relevant information regarding the client.
• Collaborate with Social Work Investigators Attorneys and multidisciplinary team members.
• Maintain confidentiality and adhere to all ethical obligations in handling client information.
• Continuous learning: staying informed and adapting evolving social dynamics to better engage and support clients from all backgrounds.

The Assets You Possess/Essential Qualifications

• Have a California address at the time of onboarding
• Be able to come into their assigned office or physically in the field for in-person work full-time throughout the 10-week term.
• Current enrollment in an accredited law school/university.
• Highly adaptable demonstrating a strong willingness to assist with various tasks and possessing excellent teamwork skills.
• Exhibits professionalism patience and understanding when interacting with clients and caregivers.

The Summer Law Clerk position offers $22/hour and three paid sick days

About CLC

CLC is the largest childrens legal services organization in the nation advocating for tens of thousands of children and youth in Los Angeles Sacramento and Placer County foster care systems. We are a powerful voice for our clients fighting in and out of the courtroom for family reunification permanence educational opportunity health and mental health services self-sufficiency and overall well-being. We want all of Californias children to have the support they need to succeed. We work to accomplish this goal through direct legal representation for children multidisciplinary advocacy and support and public policy.

CLC recognizes the importance of bringing together a wide range of experiences perspectives and talents across all roles and we encourage candidates with varied backgrounds and lived experiences to apply. CLC is committed to fair and welcoming practices in recruitment hiring promotion and retention.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commitment : All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race color religion national origin sex gender gender identity gender expression age sexual orientation disability individual with disability medical condition marital status ancestry military status veteran status protected veteran status genetics or any other legally protected group status or non-job related characteristic of an individual as directed by law.

Equal Employment OpportunityReasonable Accommodation Assistance: Childrens Law Center of California is committed to maintaining an environment of equal opportunity. If you need a reasonable accommodation to access the information provided by this organization please contact further assistance regarding job postings.