Community Legal Aid SoCal is committed to creating and cultivating an exceptional and diverse cohort of summer law clerks. We welcome applicants who bring a variety of perspectives, lived experiences and competencies. CLA SoCal will ensure that each summer clerk receives a minimum summer stipend amount of $10,000 either from their law school, our organization or a combination of sources. The CLA SoCal summer program is 10 weeks, full-time (35 hours a week) and is scheduled to begin on May 27, 2025. Our 2025 program will be hybrid with flexible in-person and remote options depending on space and unit needs.
CLA SoCal is dedicated to meeting the legal needs of the greatest number of low-income people throughout Orange and Los Angeles Counties. With an emphasis on innovation, language access, and a holistic approach to client care, we deliver services in the following practice areas: family, housing, health, expungement, immigration, public benefits, consumer defense, domestic violence, seniors and complex litigation.
Summer law clerks will develop a broad understanding of the issues facing low–income and underserved communities in and around Southeast Los Angeles and Orange Counties. Law clerks will have client contact and a heavy emphasis will be placed on housing, family safety related case work.
Summer clerks will be placed in one of our legal units to work the entirety of the summer program. The law clerks will work under the direct supervision of one attorney and gain in-depth experience in a specific legal area and exposure to additional areas if desired. Law clerks will complete at least one assignment that can be used as a writing sample and participate in weekly lunch time group learning activities, a live client clinic and several in-person social activities throughout the summer. Opportunities for placement in our legal units may include: housing, family law, expungement, seniors, health access, immigration, consumer law, complex litigation and public benefits. Please indicate in you cover letter which unit(s) you are interested in for the summer placement.
CLA SoCal will be conducting all local interviews virtually through the Southern California Public Interest Public Sector Career Day on February 8, 2025. If you are a student at a member school, you should apply for a summer law clerk position through this method. Contact your career center for more information.
Beginning January 13, 2025, CLA SoCal will accept summer law clerk applications from out of state and non-local law students. To apply please send your cover letter and resume to Attn: Director of Pro Bono, Monica Mar, at . Students with ties to our service areas (Orange County and Southeast Los Angeles) and/or bi-lingual Spanish or Vietnamese fluency are encouraged to apply.