FAQs • Contra Costa County, CA • CivicEngage

What types of assignments do your law clerks work on?: Law clerks are given a range of assignments. They do legal research and write motions and memoranda on issues ranging from the Fourth Amendment to juvenile delinquency law.
If a law clerk is interested in one aspect of our practice, we try to accommodate that in the types of assignments given to that clerk. Law clerks also do client intake interviews and, if they are interested, have the opportunity to watch our attorneys in court, argue their own motions (if certified), and do some investigation.

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Public Defender Employment

1. Do I have to be eligible for work-study to paid for working in your department?: Yes. Students must be eligible for work-study funding. We have work-study contracts with UC Berkeley, Hastings, Golden Gate, and USF law schools. However, students from other law schools who are willing to volunteer, or who can obtain alternate sources of funding, are encouraged to apply also.

2. Do you allow law students to split their summer between your Department and another firm?: No.

3. Do you hire first year law students?: Yes. We do hire first year law students. Students may want to wait to apply however, until they are able to be certified.
Our certified law clerks are frequently given opportunities to argue motions in court and even to conduct some trials, under the supervision of an experienced attorney.

4. What types of assignments do your law clerks work on?: Law clerks are given a range of assignments. They do legal research and write motions and memoranda on issues ranging from the Fourth Amendment to juvenile delinquency law.
If a law clerk is interested in one aspect of our practice, we try to accommodate that in the types of assignments given to that clerk. Law clerks also do client intake interviews and, if they are interested, have the opportunity to watch our attorneys in court, argue their own motions (if certified), and do some investigation.

5. Will I be working for one specific attorney?: No. Law clerks receive research assignments from a variety of attorneys. Each law clerk is, however, assigned a mentor attorney who will supervise them, answer questions, offer feedback, and, if the law clerk is certified, supervise them in court.

6. Is there training for law clerks?: Yes. There is an initial training session, familiarizing the law clerks with the types of research they will be doing and the most helpful research tools. Law clerks are also assigned a mentor attorney, who they can go to with questions as they arise.

7. Who should I contact about employment as a law clerk?: Summer law clerks and interns should contact:
Jonathan Laba - jonathan.laba@pd.cccounty.us

Graduate law clerks interested in a position with the department should contact:
Robin lipetzky - robin.lipetzky@pd.cccounty.us