Post Bar Fellowship (District Attorney's Office)

County of Santa Barbara • Santa Barbara, CA

4d

About The Position

The County of Santa Barbara District Attorney’s Office is seeking Post Bar Fellows to contribute to meaningful work that supports justice in our community. A Post-Bar Law Clerk is a law school graduate who has completed legal education and has sat for the California State Bar Examination but is not yet licensed to practice law. Post-Bar Law Clerks work under the supervision of licensed Deputy District Attorneys and perform legal research, drafting, and courtroom-related duties as permitted by the California State Bar. Post Bar Fellowship positions generally run during two cohorts: the first from March through mid-May (for those who take the Bar in February), and again from August through mid-November (for those who take the Bar in July). Work locations are assigned by the District Attorney and subject to change based on workload demands. This position is classified as Extra-Help Appointment (Civil Service Rule 905) and is defined as a special appointment made to a non-regular, non-permanent position(s) established on a temporary basis to meet peak loads, unusual work situations, seasonal and recurrent work, intermittent assignments, or emergencies. These positions are exempt from the Provisions of the Civil Service Rules. On the employment application, please select the location(s) you would like to be considered for current and future Extra-Help vacancies. If you meet the Employment Standards for this position, you will be placed on the employment list for consideration. BENEFITS will be offered once EXH employees reach Affordable Care Act (ACA) eligibility. DEFINITION : Under direct supervision of a Deputy District Attorney, the incumbent will perform a variety of work on criminal cases including but not limited to, drafting motions, assisting with and observing court hearings, and assisting with trial preparations, and prosecutions. DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS : Post Bar Fellowship Extra-Help Special is the entry level class of Deputy District Attorney I. Incumbents receive orientation and training. Post Bar Law Fellows must abide by all applicable State Bar of California rules and guidelines, including certification with the State Bar. ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT : The mission of the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office is to pursue truth and justice by employing the highest ethical standards in vigorously prosecuting the guilty, protecting the innocent, and preventing crime. The District Attorney has offices in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria, and Lompoc. The Office embodies a team approach to fighting crime, wherein Deputy District Attorneys, Investigators, Victim Witness staff, and support staff work closely together at all stages of a case. The Office is also dedicated to ongoing training and skill development, as well as fostering the development of new technologies to fight crime and achieve justice. Specialized prosecution units exist for areas of great concern to the County including gangs, vulnerable victims, and white-collar crime. The Office also participates in diversion and collaborative justice programs, including Mental Health Diversion, Veterans Treatment Court, Military Diversion, and the Neighborhood Restorative Justice Program. To learn more about the Santa Barbara County District Attorney's Office, visit: https://da.countyofsb.org/ . You can also watch our video at https://youtu.be/z8hEhSA4T-A?si=oO3w23lOpEsBLBni

Requirements

• Current third-year law student (3L) in good standing, or recent graduate, of an American Bar Association (ABA) or California-accredited law school
• Eligible to take the California State Bar examination in July 2026, February 2027, or July of 2027
• Eligible to be certified under the State Bar of California’s Certified Law Student (CLS) Program
• Must not have previously taken the California State Bar Examination.
• Continued employment is contingent upon successful law school graduation, sitting for the California Bar Examination as planned, and maintaining eligibility to perform assigned duties under applicable State Bar of California rules and requirements.
• Knowledge of the principles of criminal and civil law and their applications; legal research methods; rules of evidence; organization, powers, and limitations of county governmental functions, civil and criminal codes, and the California Constitution; trial procedures and the rules of evidence; administrative law.
• Ability to perform legal research; analyze and apply legal principles, facts, evidence, and precedents in legal problems; present statements of law, facts, and arguments clearly, logically, and forcefully, both in written and oral form; work effectively with others.

Nice To Haves

• Possession of a valid California Class C Driver’s License may be required.

Responsibilities

• Conducts legal research and analyzes statutes, case law, and legal authorities relevant to criminal prosecutions.
• Assists with the preparation of pleadings, motions, briefs, legal memoranda, discovery, correspondence, and other legal documents.
• Assists attorneys in the prosecution of criminal cases, including case review, witness preparation, courtroom proceedings, and trial preparation.
• Participates in victim and witness interviews and assists in evaluating evidence and legal issues.
• Observes court hearings, motions, preliminary hearings, jury trials, and other criminal proceedings.
• Prepares reports, recommendations, and written analyses regarding legal and factual issues.
• Participates in office training programs and actively seeks professional development through research, observation, mentorship, and continuing legal education opportunities.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• BENEFITS will be offered once EXH employees reach Affordable Care Act (ACA) eligibility.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed