SENIOR LAW CLERK

SENIOR LAW CLERK

Salary

$67,566.24 Annually

Location

Los Angeles County, CA

Job Type

Full time

Job Number

7-9243C-R

Department

ALTERNATE PUBLIC DEFENDER

Opening Date

09/01/2026

Closing Date

9/9/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position/Program Information

LAW OFFICES OF THE LOS ANGELES COUNTY

ALTERNATE PUBLIC DEFENDER

EXAM NUMBER

7-9243C-R

TYPE OF RECRUITMENT

We welcome applications from everyone.

WHEN TO APPLY

We will be accepting online applications from Wednesday, September 2, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. (PT) until Wednesday, September 9, 2026 (PT). All applications must be received before 5:00 p.m. (PT) on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.

Why work for us?

With almost 10 million residents, Los Angeles County is the most populous county in the nation! As the largest employer in Southern California with over 100,000 employees in 39 departments, we provide vital and diverse public services like law enforcement, property assessment, public health protection, water conservation, and cultural activities. The County has more than 2,100 different job types, offering a lifetime of opportunities and careers! We are dedicated professionals committed to preserving the dignity and integrity of the workplace as well as protecting the rights of each employee. Join us and discover one of the strongest public-sector benefits packages in the county with a rich selection of health care options, robust retirement plans and the flexibility to work, relax, and rejuvenate to reach your fullest personal and professional potential.

The Office of the Alternate Public Defender (APD) is the second-largest public defender's office in California, with 300+ attorneys and staff in more than 20 offices countywide! The Senior Law Clerk (SLC) is an outstanding 16-week paid internship performing legal research, assisting in various criminal cases, participating in hearings and trials and a pathway to advancing into permanent employment as a Deputy Alternate Public Defender (DAPD) I.

For more information about the amazing benefits offered by Los Angeles County, please visit us here: https://hr.lacounty.gov/benefits/

Essential Job Functions

• Researches, studies, interprets, and applies laws, court decisions, and other legal authorities for use in the preparation of cases, opinions, pleadings, briefs and other legal documents.
• Organizes extensive legal discovery, reports, documents and potential exhibits.
• Conducts pretrial review of case files for witness subpoenas and other necessary evidence for trial.
• Conducts preliminary interviews of potential complainants in criminal cases and reports on findings of facts to determine if cause of sufficient evidence is present to undertake prosecution.
• Reads, understands and analyses legal documents such as pleadings, affidavits, court orders, transcripts statutory codes and appellate decisions.
• Prepares a variety of legal documents including drafts and memoranda summarizing the results of examinations of court decisions, administrative board decisions, State statutes, ordinances and opinions.
• Provides information to judges, attorneys, and the public concerning the work of the department.
• Communicates with witnesses, experts, clients and other interested parties.
• Schedules witnesses and prepares witnesses and clients in courtroom procedures and appropriate protocol.
• Interviews clients to obtain factual, biographical and financial information.
• Performs other related work as required.

For more information, please visit the classification specification, please CLICK HERE.

Requirements

REQUIREMENTS TO QUALIFY:

Be eligible for certification through the California State Bar (Bar) Practical Training of Law Students (PTLS) program at the time of the appointment -AND- either:

OPTION I:

• Have a Juris Doctor degree from an approved or accredited law school*, -AND-
• Be registered to take the first available bar following your law school graduation date -OR-

OPTION II*:

• Be currently enrolled in law school*, -AND-
• Have successfully completed Second Year or equivalent of law school*
• To receive credit for a Juris Doctor degree or current academic standing, you must provide a legible copy of your official diploma, transcripts, or letter from an accredited institution that shows the area of specialization. Documentation must be submitted at the time of filing or within seven (7) calendar days of submitting your application.

If you cannot attach the required documents to your application, you must email them to ecervantes@hr.lacounty.gov. Please include the exam number and exam title in your email. Unofficial transcripts will not be accepted. Password-protected documents will not be accepted. Please ensure all documents are unlocked before attaching them to your application or emailing them to the exam analyst.

Applications received without proof of the required degree(s) or certificate will not be considered as meeting the stated requirements for either Option I or Option II.

For more information on our standards for educational documents, please visit:https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/dhr/070812_PPG123.pdf(Download PDF reader)

To be eligible for California State Bar certification (PTLS), applicants must:

• Have sat for or registered to sit for the first eligible bar exam. The results of the first eligible bar must not be published at the time of appointment, -AND-
• Register as a law student with the California State Bar.

Submit proof of bar registration and approval by logging into the Bar applicant community site and providing a screenshot with your Application and Examination Event Information details or a copy of your Admittance Ticket.

• Applicants who qualify under Option 2 will be permitted to participate in the exam. However, their names will be withheld from the list of candidates for hiring consideration until they can produce a copy of their diploma or a copy of official transcripts that clearly show when JD degree was conferred.

Additional information on the PTLS program can be found at Practical Training of Law Students -State Bar of California.

PROVISIONAL LICENSEES ARE NOT ELIGIBLE TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS EXAMINATION.

LICENSE:

A valid California Class C Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.

PHYSICAL CLASS:

Physical Class 2 - Light: This class includes administrative and clerical positions requiring light physical effort that may include occasional light lifting to a 10-pound limit and some bending, stooping, or squatting. Considerable ambulation may be involved.

Additional Information

OUR ASSESSMENT PROCESS:

This exam will consist of a structured interview test weighted at 100%, measuring:

• Professional/Technical Knowledge (General Criminal Case & Statutory Law and Constitutional Principles of California Rules of Professional Conduct as they pertain to Criminal Defense)
• Critical Thinking
• Decision Making Skills
• Client Focus
• Oral Communication Skills
• Listening Skills
• Fact Finding
• Ethics & Integrity
• Cultural & Individual Sensitivity

APPLICANTS MUST MEET THE REQUIREMENTS AND ACHIEVE A PASSING SCORE OF 70% OR HIGHER ON THE EXAMINATION IN ORDER TO BE PLACED ON THE ELIGIBLE LIST.

ELIGIBILITY INFORMATION:

The names of candidates receiving a passing score in the examination will be placed on the eligible list for a period of six (6) months from the date the list is created.

VACANCY INFORMATION:

The resulting eligible list will be used to fill vacancies at the Alternate Public Defenders Office.

APPLICATION AND FILING INFORMATION:

We only accept applications filed online. Applications submitted by U.S. mail, fax, or in person will not be accepted. Apply online by clicking on the "Apply" green button at the top right of this posting. This website can also be used to get application status updates.

Please fill out the application completely and provide relevant information, including the employers name and address, job title, beginning and ending dates, number of hours worked per week, and description of work performed.

We may verify information included in the application at any point during the examination and hiring process, including after an appointment has been made. Falsification of information could result in refusal of application or rescission of appointment. Copying verbiage from the Requirements or Class Specification as your work experience will not be sufficient to demonstrate meeting the requirements. Doing so may result in an incomplete application and you may lead to disqualification.

We will send notifications to the email address provided on the application, so it is important that you provide a valid email address. If you choose to unsubscribe or opt out from receiving our emails, it is possible to view notices by logging into governmentjobs.com and checking the profile inbox. It is every applicants responsibility to take steps to view correspondence, and we will not consider claims of missing notices to be a valid reason for re-scheduling an exam part. Register the below domains as approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered as spam/junk mail.

ecervantes@hr.lacounty.gov

info@governmentjobs.com

talentcentral@shl.com

donot-reply@amcatmail.com

New email addresses need to be verified. This only needs to be done once per email address and can be done at any time by logging in to governmentjobs.com and following the prompts. This is to enhance the security of the online application and to prevent incorrectly entered email addresses. Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number, so include yours when applying.

For those who do not have access to a computer or the internet, we provide access to complete an application at public libraries throughout the county.

All applicants must file their application online using their own user ID and password. Using a family members or friends login information may erase a candidates original application record.

ANTI-RACISM, DIVERSITY, AND INCLUSION (ARDI):

The County of Los Angeles recognizes and affirms that all people are created equal and are entitled to all rights afforded by the Constitution of the United States. The Office of the Alternate Public Defender (APD) is committed to promoting Anti-racism, Diversity, and Inclusion efforts to address the inequalities and disparities amongst race. We support the ARDI Strategic Plan and its goals by improving equality, diversity, and inclusion in recruitment, selection, and employment practices.

TESTING ACCOMMODATION:

If you require an accommodation to fairly compete in any part of the assessment process, you will be given the opportunity to make a request when completing your application. Please note, you may be required to submit documentation from a qualified medical provider or other qualified professional to support your request for a testing accommodation.

Testing Accommodations Coordinator: TestingAccommodations@hr.lacounty.gov

Teletype Phone: (800) 899-4099

Alternate Teletype Phone:(800) 897-0077

California Relay Services Phone: (800) 735-2922

Department Contact Name: Elia Cervantes

Department Contact Phone: (213) 441-2090

Department Contact Email: ecervantes@hr.lacounty.gov

Exam Number: 7-9243C-R

COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES

Employment Information

Any language contained in the job posting supersedes any language contained below.

This document is intended to provide general information about the recruitment process of the County of Los Angeles. Applicants with questions about a specific job posting should contact the exam analyst listed on the posting.

Equal Employment Opportunity/Non-Discrimination Statement:

The County of Los Angeles is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer and is committed to non-discrimination in the County workforce, regardless of age (40 and over); ancestry; color; ethnicity; religious creed; protected family or medical leave status; disability; marital status; medical condition; genetic information; military and veteran status; national origin; race ; sex; gender; sexual orientation; or any other characteristic protected by State or federal law. For more information, please visit: https://employee.hr.lacounty.gov/eeo-programs/.

Testing Accommodations for Applicants:

The County of Los Angeles complies with all federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application process, please contact the testing accommodation coordinator listed on the job posting. Hearing impaired applicants with telephone teletype equipment may leave messages by calling the teletype phone number on the job posting. For more information on accommodations, please visit: https://hr.lacounty.gov/accessibility/.

Fair Chance:

The County of Los Angeles is a Fair Chance employer. Except as otherwise permissible under applicable laws, you will not be asked to provide information about conviction history unless you receive a conditional offer of employment. The County will make an individualized assessment of whether your conviction history has a direct and adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job, and will also consider potential mitigating factors, which may include, but is not limited to, evidence and extent of rehabilitation, recency of the offense(s), and age at the time of the offense(s). If asked to provide information about conviction history, any convictions or court records which are exempted by a valid court order do not have to be disclosed. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with County Fair Chance Policies and the Fair Chance Act (Gov. Code Section 12952).

Employment Eligibility:

Final appointment is contingent upon verification of U.S. citizenship or the right to work in the United States.

Career PathFinder:

Resources to help current and prospective employees plan a career with Los Angeles County are available. To explore career paths to and from nearly all job titles, please visit our interactive Career PathFinder application at http://career-pathfinder.hr.lacounty.gov.

Veteran's Credit:

Pursuant to the County Charter and County policy, in all open competitive examinations (i.e., examinations open to everyone), the County of Los Angeles will add a credit of 10 percent of the total credits specified for such examination to the final passing score of an honorably discharged veteran, as well as the spouse of a deceased or disabled veteran, who served in the Armed Forces of the United States under specific conditions.

For more information on veteran's credit, please visit: https://file.lacounty.gov/SDSInter/dhr/205102_PPG_115.pdf

Revised September 2025

For detailed information, please click here

01

The information you provide on this supplemental questionnaire will be evaluated and used to determine your eligibility to participate in the next phase of the examination process. CHECK YOUR ANSWERS CAREFULLY.

Any mistakes you make and/or any incomplete responses you provide in completing these questions will be used to disqualify your application even if you possess the qualifying education. Be specific as possible and include all information requested. Comments such as "see resume or application" will not be considered as a response.

All information is subject to verification at any time in the examination and hiring process. Falsification of any information may result in disqualification or dismissal.

• I understand the above information and instructions.

02

Many important notifications including invitation letters will be sent to the email address provided on the application.

It is important that you provide a valid email address. Add the following email address to your list of approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered as spam/junk/clutter mail:

ecervantes@hr.lacounty.gov info@governmentjobs.com talentcentral@shl.com donot-reply@amcatmail.com

The County of Los Angeles will not consider allegations of not receiving the email notification as an acceptable reason to authorize a reschedule or late exam administration.

• I understand the above information and instructions.

03

What is your current academic standing for Law School?

• I graduated and possess my Juris Doctor Degree
• I am currently enrolled in Law School
• I am not currently enrolled in Law School and do not currently possess a Juris Doctor Degree

04

Do you have a Juris Doctor Degree from an approved or accredited law school?

• Yes, I have a Juris Doctor Degree from an approved or accredited law school
• I do not possess a Juris Doctor Degree or my Juris Doctor Degree is not from an approved or accredited law school

05

If you are currently enrolled in law school, what year of law school have you completed?

• Less than first year or equivalent of Law School
• At least first year or equivalent but less than second year or equivalent of Law School
• At least second year or equivalent but not yet obtained Juris Doctor Degree
• I have obtained my Juris Doctor Degree

06

Have you registered to take the first available bar following your law school graduation date?

• I am not yet eligible to take the bar
• I graduated but did not register to take the first available bar following my graduation
• I registered for the first available bar following my law school graduation.
• I previously completed the bar exam

07

Are you eligible for certification through the California State Bar (Bar) Practical Training of Law Students (PTLS) program at the time of the appointment?

To be eligible for California State Bar certification (PTLS), applicants must:

Have sat for or registered to sit for the first eligible bar exam. The results of the first eligible bar must not be published at the time of appointment, AND Register as a law student with the California State Bar.

• Yes, I am eligible
• No, I am not eligible

08

Have you submitted a legible copy of your official diploma, transcripts, or a letter from an accredited institution verifying your Juris Doctor degree or current academic standing (showing area of specialization) at the time of filing or within seven (7) calendar days of submitting your application?

• Yes, I have attached the required official document(s) to my application.
• Yes, I will email the required official document(s) to ecervantes@hr.lacounty.gov within seven (7) calendar days from application submission, including the exam number and exam title.
• No, I have not submitted the required documentation and understand that my application will not be considered.

Required Question

Employer County of Los Angeles

Address

Los Angeles, California, 90010

Website http://hr.lacounty.gov