Legal Intern - District Attorney's Office Unpaid (Spring 2027 Placement)

Legal Intern - District Attorneys Office Unpaid (Spring 2027 Placement)

Location

Santa Ana

Job Type

Unpaid Intern

Job Number

0000IN-0723-026 (O)

Department

District Attorney

Opening Date

09/28/2022

Closing Date

Continuous

• Description
• Benefits

CAREER DESCRIPTION

Position

Legal Intern

Office of the District Attorney

Applications are currently being accepted for Fall 2026 placement through June 30, 2026. Students who apply will be placed on a waiting list and may be contacted for an interview by the Department at a future date. Applications for Spring 2027 placement will be accepted from July 1, 2026 through October 31, 2026.

DISTRICT ATTORNEYS OFFICE

The Office of the District Attorney represents the People of the State of California in some civil and in all criminal proceedings. The mission of the Office of the District Attorney is to enhance public safety and welfare and to protect and respect crime victims and create security in the community through vigorous enforcement of criminal and civil laws in a just, honest, efficient and ethical manner.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Duties will vary depending upon qualifications and academic level of the applicant. Interns will work with trial attorneys, investigators, investigative assistants and paralegals. Assignments may include the following:

• Organize discovery and index information
• Assist with research projects, utilizing library resources and the Internet
• Gather and analyze data and facts as needed to support investigations
• Completion of assignments that require faxing, photocopying, typing, etc.

Internship positions with the District Attorneys Office require a high degree of confidentiality and discretion due to the sensitivity of the cases.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must currently meet the following requirements:

• Be 18 years of age or older
• Can neither be enrolled in nor graduated from law school
• Can neither be enrolled in nor received a certificate from a paralegal program

SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Excellent written and oral communication skills. Strong organizational skills and ability to work independently and use good judgment. Ability to carry out projects and responsibilities to completion. Good computer skills.

TIME COMMITMENT

The nature of the work being handled by the Office of the District Attorney necessitates that the volunteers come into the office. Remote work is not available.

Students who apply will only be considered for Fall 2026 placement. Placement prior to Fall 2026 cannot be accommodated at this time.

Minimum of 12 hours per week for 3 - 4 months. Hours must be scheduled during regular business hours (Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.). Applicants able to schedule the maximum hours/duration listed for this internship typically gain a more in-depth experience.

• NOTE: While being engaged with the OCDA Law Clerk-Intern Program, students cannot fulfill clerkships or other legal employment without prior approval from OCDA.*

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Please apply by submitting a cover letter, resume, and unofficial transcripts in PDF format via email to director-lciprogram@ocdistrictattorney.gov.

In your cover letter, please include five units you may be interested in being assigned to. OCDA unit description for reference.

While unit preferences are taken into consideration, assignments will be made based on department staffing needs.

The cover letter is an opportunity for students to describe career and academic goals, to elaborate upon personal and academic accomplishments, and to identify what type of internship experience they are seeking. Learn more about what to include in a cover letter on our website here.

Students who meet the above requirements will be placed on a waiting list and may be interviewed by the Department at a future date.

Applications that do not include a cover letter, resume, and unofficial transcripts will not be considered. Only submit one application per term.

Internship recruitments may close at any time. Students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

REQUIRED BACKGROUND SCREENING/REFERENCE CHECK

Applicants must pass a background investigation and conflict of interest screening to the satisfaction of the agency prior to placement. If selected for applicants must provide a copy of their state-issued drivers license and Social Security card with their background material. Since background investigations take time to complete (approximately 4 weeks), applicants are encouraged to apply early.

BENEFITS AVAILABLE TO INTERNS

Although the position is unpaid and does not lead to permanent employment or include employee benefits, it is an excellent opportunity for students or recent graduates to gain knowledge in the fields of criminal and civil law, and insight into the internal workings of law enforcement and the California justice system. This is a great opportunity to enhance skills, build resumes, apply academic knowledge and explore career options.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Internship recruitments may close at anytime. Students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

EMAIL NOTIFICATION

Email is the primary form of notification during the recruitment process. Please ensure your correct email address is included in your application and use only one email address.

Candidates will be notified regarding their status as the recruitment proceeds via email. Please check your email folders, including spam/junk folders, and/or accept emails ending with "ocdistrictattorney.gov."

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

For additional internship postings, please check our Web site at the following link: https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/oc/internships

Click here for additional Frequently Asked Questions.

For specific information pertaining to this recruitment, please contact director-lciprogram@ocdistrictattorney.gov.

EEO INFORMATION

Orange County, as an equal employment opportunity employer,

encourages applicants from diverse backgrounds to apply.

This position does not offer any benefits.

If you have any questions, please contact the recruiter for this position. The recruiter should be listed on the Job Posting.

Employer County of Orange

Address 400 W CIVIC CENTER DRIVE

Santa Ana, California, 92701

Phone 714-834-2555

Website https://hrs.oc.gov