Below are some common questions about our paralegal internship program.
Who is eligible?
- Students currently enrolled in an ABA approved paralegal studies program are eligible to participate in the City Attorney’s Office paralegal internship program.
What are the minimum requirements?
- Applicants must be enrolled in an accredited ABA approved paralegal studies program. Applicants must have completed their legal writing and research and civil litigation requirements before applying.
How do I apply?
- To apply, email a cover letter, resume, and brief legal writing sample to Beverly.Tovio@sfcityatty.org.
When is the application deadline?
- Be sure to check the deadlines on our Internships Page. We will review applications upon receipt and will fill open spots on a rolling basis.
What types of internships do you have? Do I get paid? Do I get credit?
- The San Francisco City Attorney’s Office offers unpaid internships to paralegal students during the spring, summer and fall. This volunteer internship is unpaid, but will qualify for class credit.
Do you offer internships to law school graduates waiting for bar results?
- No, the program is only open to current paralegal studies students.
What is the Internship Program Schedule?
- Each session is 10-weeks in length. Generally, the spring internship begins mid-January and ends mid-April. The summer internship begins in early June and ends in early August. The fall internship begins in early September and ends in early November. Be sure to check our Internships Page for important dates relating to our program.
How many interns does the office take?
- The number varies from semester to semester based on the office’s need.
Can interns work more than one semester?
- Yes. We allow interns to participate in up to two semesters.
What type of assignments do interns perform?
- Paralegal interns assist paralegals with various legal support projects including document review and redaction, preparing documents for service, factual research, and preparing materials for trial.
What type of training will I receive?
- All interns attend an office orientation, which explains our role in City government, office structure and procedures. Interns also receive training on how to use computer software. Each team provides interns with training to complete projects assigned. Additionally, the office’s continuing legal education seminars are open to interns.
What type of relationship can I expect to have with the paralegals?
- Interns typically work closely on projects with at least one, sometimes two paralegals. Additionally, mentors work to ensure the intern has a manageable workload, is learning from assignments, and is receiving feedback.
What type of activities will I be able to participate in and observe?
- When appropriate, interns are invited to trials, hearings and depositions. Additionally, each semester the office schedules lectures, events and tours of various City Departments. Events vary depending on the semester and have included: a tour of Pacific Bell Park, a ride on a Fireboat, a tour of the Animal Care and Control facility, a tour of the De Young Museum and an insider’s view of the courts.
What types of research materials will I have access to?
- The City Attorney’s Office has an extensive legal library, a librarian, and a full range of electronic research materials.
What are the teams that paralegal interns may be assigned to at the City Attorney’s Office?
- The City Attorney’s Office is organized into teams based on practice areas. Currently paralegal interns may be assigned to the following:
- Code Enforcement
- Complex Litigation
- Dependency & Mental Health
- Government
- Labor
- Litigation
- Workers’ Compensation
Will I be offered a job at the end of my internship?
- Interns are not usually offered a position in the office immediately after their internship. The office typically hires legal assistants and paralegals when there is a job opening.