2026 Summer Law Clerk at Public Law Center

Public Law Center•Santa Ana, CA

34d•Hybrid

About The Position

2026 Summer Law Clerk at Public Law Center General Job Duties Client Interaction: Perform new case intake interviews; contact clients for follow-up through interviews and telephone calls; perform fact gathering; present new cases at weekly Case Acceptance meetings. Legal research & writing: Prepare opening case memos; draft correspondence, pleadings, and motions. Pro Bono Support: Assist in drafting manuals, samples, and educational presentations to support pro bono attorneys working on PLC cases. Prepare cases for placement. Community Education and Outreach: Research legal issues; prepare client education materials; assist in conducting presentations to clients. All positions will be on a hybrid schedule in Santa Ana, California. Special Project Duties In addition to the general duties described above, each law student will be assigned to one of the following available projects. Family Law Assist with providing trauma-informed legal services to litigants with domestic violence, custody, divorce, child & spousal support, guardianship, and dependency adoption matters. Work includes interviewing clients, attending legal clinics, preparing pleadings and legal briefs, writing letters, and providing advice and counsel to clients. Students who have completed Evidence and Civil Procedure may be eligible to make court appearances. SPANISH SPEAKER REQUIRED. Health Law Assist indigent persons with issues involving health insurance eligibility and coverage. PAID POSITION AVAILABLE Housing & Homelessness Prevention Assist individuals and families with housing-related issues, such as evictions, hazardous living conditions, rent increases, landlord-tenant disputes, reasonable accommodations for tenants with disabilities, and housing voucher/subsidy terminations. Work includes interviewing clients, attending legal clinics, drafting pleadings and motions, writing demand letters, providing advice and counsel to clients under attorney supervision, and assisting attorneys in preparing for court hearings. There may be opportunities to assist with our affordable housing and impact litigation work as well. SPANISH SPEAKER PREFERRED. PAID POSITION AVAILALBLE. Immigration Assist victims of human trafficking, asylum seekers, victims of domestic and other forms of violence, unaccompanied minors, individuals facing deportation proceedings, and others who need assistance completing and following up on pending immigration applications. Complete intakes and assist individuals in completing applications at DACA, naturalization, and consultation clinics. Attend community and collaborative meetings. Shadow attorneys representing clients in immigration and state court proceedings. SPANISH SPEAKER PREFERRED. PAID POSITION AVAILBLE. Impact Litigation and Policy Advocacy Students will focus on impact litigation cases and policy issues affecting low-income communities. Students will assist in the preparation of pleadings, motions, and discovery requests. Students will also gain experience in policy advocacy, including drafting regulatory comments and letters, and researching legal issues and proposed legislation.

Requirements

First, second, or third year (part-time) law student
Demonstrated commitment to serving low-income or disadvantaged individuals, families, and communities
Excellent research and writing skills
Sensitivity and ability to work with victims of domestic violence and other sensitive populations

Responsibilities

Perform new case intake interviews
Contact clients for follow-up through interviews and telephone calls
Perform fact gathering
Present new cases at weekly Case Acceptance meetings
Prepare opening case memos
Draft correspondence, pleadings, and motions
Assist in drafting manuals, samples, and educational presentations to support pro bono attorneys working on PLC cases
Prepare cases for placement
Research legal issues
Prepare client education materials
Assist in conducting presentations to clients