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Internships

Internships are among the best avenues for students to better understand the legal profession and develop the skills necessary for success.

In the informational drawers below, you will find multiple internships within the San Diego community that focus on law, politics, and other professional sectors of the political science field.

Resource for working from home: Keys to a Successful Work From Home Internship

Have an Internship for Our Students? 

As part of the Krinsk-Houston Law and Politics Initiative, we are reaching out to our supporters, volunteers, and friends to identify internship opportunities and share with them with our students. Are you looking for bright, dedicated, and driven young professionals to help in your office? If so, please take 5 minutes to fill out this form so that we can list your opportunity on this internship page. Please feel free to forward to others in your network who may be looking to hire students.

The best way to promote job or internship opportunities to undergraduates is to post it on the central Career Center’s platform Handshake - https://ucsd.joinhandshake.com/login. Handshake is also a way for you to register for upcoming recruitment events, or request space for on-campus interviews or information sessions. If you would like to learn more about Handshake, please review the Handshake Employer Page. If you have technical difficulties or questions related to Handshake, please email hireucsd@ucsd.edu. Please also see the Handshake FAQ for Employers

If you are interested in developing a recruitment strategy at UC San Diego, please connect with the Career Services Center Team so they can direct you to a staff member who works with employers recruiting students in the Division of Social Sciences undergraduate programs. 


Calderon for Congress

Intern position available and it involves a weekly 10-15-hour commitment, and will include staffing events, block walking, and general office work.

The internship is unpaid and lasts through March 3rd. 

Please submit the following materials to Will Edwards-Thro at will@calderonforcongress.com

  • Resume
  • Cover Letter
  • Application Form
  • Reference Contact Information

The California Innocence Project

Legal Intern and Development Intern

The California Innocence Project offers two types of internships which are outlined below. Please note, we do not provide remote internship opportunities; interns must be available to work in our San Diego office for the duration of their internship. 

Legal Intern: We hire unpaid interns to work in our office during each trimester. This is a valuable experience for anyone interested in criminal law or post-conviction law. Hours are flexible (15-35 hours per week [preferred], Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm). If you are interested, please send a brief cover letter and updated resume to cipinterninquiry@gmail.com. First priority will be given to high school, college, law, and post-bar students.

Summer Deadline: March 1st
Fall Deadline: July 1st
Spring Deadline: December 1st

Development Intern: We offer unpaid development internships throughout the year. Our development interns assist our development team with database cleanup, research and follow-up, event planning, XONR8 gear sales, and various other fundraising efforts. This is an invaluable opportunity for anyone interested in learning about fundraising and development for nonprofits. If you are interested, select “Development Intern” when filling out the form to the right. Be sure attach your resume and cover letter. Rolling deadline.

Students must submit the following for consideration: Resume & Cover Letter

Name and email of contact person for submission of materials: Stephanie Benjamini and Rachelle Barr, cipinterninquiry@gmail.com

California Western School of Law

A special pipeline has been establish by which students can apply for internships to work alongside a nationally respected team of lawyers and law students. To find out more about, or to apply for one or more of these special internship opportunities, contact Drew Lautemann, Esq., CWSL Assistant Director of Probono & Public Service at dlautemann@cwsl.edu. The opportunities include:
  • The California Innocence Project: A clinical program working primarily in Southern California to review more than 2500 innocence claims each year from inmates now in prison. The Innocence Project has freed 27 people who have served more than 350 years in prison for crimes they did not commit.
  • The New Media Rights Center: A nonprofit program providing legal services, education, and advocacy for Internet users and creators. The Center specializes in a wide variety of copyright, trademark, software-licensing, and related business-planning issues.
  • The Community Law Project: A provider of free legal information in a variety of practice areas to low income and indigent communities in each of its five clinics spread throughout San Diego County. Specialty areas include criminal law, immigration law, consumer protection, family law, bankruptcy, trusts & estates, and personal injury. 

California Western School of Law - The Community Law Project

The Community Law Project is a provider of free legal information in a variety of practice areas to low income and indigent communities in each of its five clinics spread throughout San Diego County. Specialty areas include criminal law, immigration law, consumer protection, family law, bankruptcy, trusts & estates, and personal injury. 

Legal Clinic Administrator/Interpreter position - The Clinic Administrator serves as the front line face of the Community Law Project (CLP). CLP is a legal clinic project of California Western School of Law. CLP works to provide sustainable and competent legal services to low income and indigent members of the local community, while advancing the profession of law by instilling a commitment to public service in CWSL students.

As a Clinic Administrator, you will have the opportunity to work hand-in-hand with volunteer attorneys and law students.

Essential Functions and Duties (including but not limited to): 

  • Greet and sign in clients
  • Interpret for Spanish speaking clients and translate materials, as needed
  • Manage setting up and taking down of clinic each session
  • Regularly assess clinic supplies and forms
  • Maintain client files, clinic forms and all materials and data. 

Required Skills: Spanish and English language proficiency; basic computer skills; organizational, communication and customer service skills; significant understanding or willingness to learn about the legal and social issues affecting homeless and/or low-income clients. Six-month commitment required.

Openings: 

  • For the upcoming quarter, we will need interpreters at our Downtown and Solana Beach locations.

Please review attachments for information:

English Spanish Volunteer Info

District Attorney's Office

Part-time, paid student workers perform various clerical functions (data entry, scanning documents, filing, etc.), up to 20 hours per week between the hours of 8:00am and 5:00pm, Monday through Friday, at one of five locations in San Diego County. Informations on qualifications, pay rate, and other job aspects can be found here. Interested students should submit the following: (1) resume and (2) official or unofficial transcript in PDF form via email to: HRDirect@sdcda.org

Dorsee Productions

Intern Needed!

The intern will assist in events and development for federal, state and local political campaigns and non-profits, including the Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial. Dorsee Productions is looking self motivated individuals interested in the political process, where you will meet and interact with a diverse group of people.

This internship is unpaid and open until filled; students must submit a resume and references' contact information to Karolyn Dorsee at karolyn@dorseeproductions.com

Galuppo & Blake

Galuppo & Blake is a small transactional and litigation firm focusing on real estate law. The firm hires undergraduates for part-time assistant/secretarial positions. Job duties include answering phones, taking messages, helping with client intake, and performing miscellaneous office tasks.

The pay is around $15 per hour. Applicants can send a resume Daniel Watts at danielwatts@gmail.com

General Atomics

General Atomics has exciting summer and year-round internship opportunities for Undergraduate Interns to work within their Legal Department at their facility in La Jolla / Torrey Pines.

The right individual will be a hardworking, detail-oriented, flexible, and competitive person who routinely performs above expectations and has plans to attend a top law school 1-2 years after graduation.

Duties and responsibilities include the following: Participate in supervised practical training and provide support activity to the Law Department; maintains files for corporate litigation and other legal documents, which includes indexing, maintaining a central repository, maintaining logging systems, and transporting of documentation between legal and business departments; assists attorneys in closing files for all legal matters managed by the Law Department; performs other administrative tasks such as filing, copying, and answering phones for scheduling; corresponds with outside counsel and other departments regarding various legal matters for attorneys; utilizes interpersonal and communication skills to effectively interface with all levels of employees as well as internal and external contacts; utilizes MS Office Suite and other applications; performs other duties as assigned or required.

Qualifications include: enrollment as an undergraduate or graduate student at a recognized college or university; an undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.6 or above or an LSAT score of 165 of above is strongly preferred; the ability to maintain strict confidentiality of sensitive information. Applicants must possess: (1) the ability to understand new concepts and apply them accurately; (2) the ability to follow general and detailed instructions as well as organizational policies and procedures; (3) good communication and interpersonal skills to enable effective interface with internal professionals; (4) the ability to work independently or in a team environment; and (5) basic computer skills.

This is a paid opportunity. Interested students should submit the following: (1) resume and (2) cover letter to the General Atomics job board and Daniqua Brown, Talent Acquisition Sourcing Specialist, email: Daniqua.Brown@ga.com

The Grady Firm, P.C.

The Grady Firm, P.C seeks a Law Firm Marketing and Adminstrative Assistant Intern.

the intern will learn how a law firm works on a day to day basis at a small but busy international law firm in Beverly Hills, California. The intern assists with drafting blogs, following up with leads, booking appointments, booking speaking engagements, contacting clients, and other administrative tasks as needed.

The pay is minimum wage. The internship opportunity is indefinite, as long as the intern continues to meet job qualifications and standards. Please contact Jennifer Grady, at jgrady@gradyfirm.com, for more information and to submit a resume, cover letter, reference contact information, and reference letters.

Huston McCaffrey, LLP

The firm seeks a legal intern; the job duties would include attending court with attorney, research and drafting motions under attorney supervision, miscellaneous case management activities, and sit in on client meetings and consults.

The position is upaid, and can last for a quarter or longer. Please contact Shawn Huston, at ShawnH@HustonMcCaffrey.com, for more information and to submit a resume and cover letter.

Jewish Family Service (JFS) - Immigration Student Intern/Volunteer

Title/Position: Immigration Student Intern/Volunteer

PDF of Student Intern/Volunteer Position Description

Department: The Immigration Services Department at Jewish Family Service (JFS-ISD) provides quality, low-cost immigration services to refugees, asylees, lawful permanent residents (green card holders) and undocumented immigrants within the community. The Higher Education Legal Services (HELS) program, through JFS-ISD, is a unique opportunity for students, staff, and faculty at local colleges to access personalized Immigration Legal Services from highly qualified legal practitioners. JFS-ISD Immigration Attorneys and Department of Justice Accredited Representatives are available at local schools to provide culturally-competent, trauma-informed, and reliable expertise to the campus community.

Goal of Position: Internships and volunteer opportunities are a unique way for students to better understand the legal profession and develop the skills necessary for success through hands-on experience. The Immigration Student Inter/Volunteer supports JFS-ISD’s work in educating campus community about Immigration Legal Services through Education and Outreach services. Secondarily, the Inter/Volunteer will provide general administrative support to staff as it pertains to initial consultations, case work, and filings with U.S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Benefits:

· Strengthen knowledge and understanding of the immigrant community in San Diego & learn about the U.S. immigration system

· Gain first-hand experience working in an immigration office setting while also experiencing a unique and diverse environment

· Work with and receive ongoing training from a group of knowledgeable, professional, and passionate staff dedicated to assisting immigrants

· The opportunity to advocate for immigrant rights and create meaningful change

· Efforts will be made to match the interests and skills of the individual to projects they find interesting and helpful to their studies or professional development

Tasks/Responsibilities:

· Participate in Education and Outreach on campus

· Assist prospective clients with checking in and completing initial biographical forms

· Schedule clients for further consultations and appointments with accredited representatives and attorneys

· Prepare and assemble case files to be filed with USCIS

· Provide general administrative support for the HELS program as needed

Qualifications:

· Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills, show strong attention to detail, and exhibit a professional demeanor in the office and in the community

· Self-motivated and organized, comfortable with developing and building relationships, and public speaking

· Able to work respectfully with people of all cultural and socio-economic backgrounds

· Have an interest in working with college students, faculty, and staff on a professional level

· Have prior experience and/or desire to work with and empower marginalized communities including immigrants, LGBTQI, the indigent, etc.

· Have strong interest in issues relating to immigration law, immigrant rights, advocacy and non-profits a plus

· Multiple language skills are a plus (e.g. Spanish, Arabic, Indigenous language fluency; ability to speak, read and write in the necessary language)

Requirements:

1. Must be at least 18 years of age

2. Complete an internship/volunteer application at www.jfssd.org/volapp

3. Attend a JFS volunteer interview with Immigration Services Volunteer Coordinator

4. Attend a JFS orientation with the Immigration Services Volunteer Coordinator and/or Immigration staff

5. Must honor confidentiality of client records and sign confidentiality agreement

6. Must follow all JFS-ISD procedures and policies

Time Commitment: Ideal candidates are able to commit to a minimum of 10 hours per week for 3 months or more.

Worksite/Department: CSU San Marcos or San Diego State University, depending on interest and availability (or other Community College)

Immediate Supervisor: Lead DOJ Accredited Representative

If interested, please email Marisa Garcia Perez at marisag@jfssd.org with the subject head as HELS_UCSD Student Inter_Last name, First. Please include a cover letter and resume.

Joel Anderson for Supervisor

Canvassing Team Leader & Data Management Intern needed!


The Joel Anderson for Supervisor campaign in El Cajon is looking for capable, politically interested students who can lead a team of high-school students in voter engagement for the next several months. Self-transport is required, and compensation for gas is available. Should you complete the program, you will receive a personalized letter of recommendation from California State Senator Joel Anderson. This opportunity also qualifies as an internship.

Students are required to commit a minimum of six hours/week to the internship. The intership is unpaid, and is available for 2-4 months.

Students must submit their resume to Thaddeus Tague at thaddeus@aresinc.org

Judge John A. Houston - Externship

College students who extern (the court uses the term "extern" rather "intern" they refer to the same thing) in Judge Houston's chambers perform primarily administrative duties, including filing, sorting mail and preparing Judge Houston's files for use during hearings. College externs also prepare short memoranda to Judge Houston for sentencing hearings. If interested, they have an opportunity to receive additional simple legal writing assignments, All externs also observe proceedings conducted before Judge Houston and participate in discussions about the various legal proceedings.It is a great opportunity to observe and learn about federal court and legal proceedings.

All positions are unpaid; hours vary depending on a student's schedule, but a minimum of 10 to 12 hours works best. Interested students can email their resume and cover letter to Tara Velez at tara_velez@casd.uscourts.gov or send them by mail to United States District Court, Chambers of John A. Houston, 333 W. Broadway, Suite 1380, San Diego, CA 92036.  

Murphy Jones APC, San Diego Office

The office seeks an energetic and organized practice assistant/intern/law clerk with a desire to work in a firm prior to passing the Bar with the anticipation that the employee would transition into an full-time employee.

The position assists Partners and staff with our busy legal practice focused on professional license defense proceedings in various industries, business development activities, and practice management responsibilities.

Hours are Monday-Friday, 9:00 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. Competitive salary and benefits available if no course credit is being given for the internship. Please include cover letter, transcripts, salary history (if seeking monetary compensation), and a writing sample when submitting your resume. A full job description can be found here

Please visit their website for more information: https://murphyjoneslaw.com/

Nicholas & Tomasevic, LLP

The firm has a position open for a file clerk. Job duties include working with an environmental team regarding products that violate California law requirements for toxic exposure, evaluating and testing products, tracking those products through the notice requirements, and other responsibilities.

The position is between 16-24 hours per week; work days are flexible and they pay for a trolley pass to get downtown. For more information, please contact Craig Nicholas at craig@nicholaslaw.org

Office of Senate President Pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins

This office has a District Internship opportunity open. As an intern, you will be prepared to provide support to staff with special events, constituent services, and general administrative duties of the district office. Essential duties include: Ability to manage multiple tasks; proficient in using Microsoft Word and Excel; assist in research and planning of upcoming events and projects; develop clear knowledge and understanding of functions of the California State Legislature; assist with responding to a variety of constituent inquiries and issues; staffing booths at weekend community events; attending events with district staff; other tasks as assigned.

The internship is unpaid; it is flexible in duration, but typically three (3) months long. Students must submit the following for consideration: resume, cover letter, and completed application form. For more information, please contact Chevelle Tate, District Representative and Internship Manager, at Chevelle.Tate@sen.ca.gov 

Stephen Houlahan for Congress 2022

Intern Position; Unpaid

Stephen Houlahan, a registered nurse and previous Councilman of the city of Santee, is a Democratic Congressional Candidate for the 2022 Congress election. Stephen stands for transparency, accountability of government, job creation, and affordability for everyone. He wants to lay the foundation of a society where justice and opportunities are equal for everyone, and fundamental rights are protected so that every American can progress.
   
This campaign is a great opportunity for students to delve into the political world and play a critical role in the future of the United States. Depending on their interests, the students will have the options to volunteer or commit to an internship, allowing them to gain campaign experience from an operational perspective. Our team is asking for a minimum commitment of 6 hours a week. Due to COVID-19 precautions this internship will be completely remote, allowing students flexibility in schedule. This is an opportunity that could potentially open doors to new connections and students will have the opportunity to meet with Stephen Houlahan to discuss campaign strategy and ask questions. For more information about Stephen, students can visit www.stephenhoulahanforcongress.com.

If you have questions, please contact Gali Rodriguez, Internship Coordinator, at gali@stephenhoulahanforcongress.com

Student PIRGs

Available position - Campus Organizer

Take your first step towards a career in advocacy by applying for a full time position with the Student PIRGs. 

Scrolling through our feeds it seems there's no limit to the problems facing our country. The good news is we have the solutions: we can power our country with 100% renewable energy, move beyond plastics, and ensure a healthy democracy. Watch the video to learn more!

Students have been, and continue to be at the forefront of movements to build a better future for our country. But students only make real progress when they’re organized, have the skills to be effective, and have a strategic plan to get things done. That’s where we come in: For almost 50 years, the Student PIRGs have been working to amplify the power of student activism. We help students make real change, right now.

As a full-time organizer with the Student PIRGs’, your responsibilities will include:

  • Inspiring and recruiting hundreds of students to take action on important issues.

  • Training students to be effective social change leaders so they can run strategic campaigns, using skills like organizing news conferences, building strong coalitions, generating grassroots support, and coordinating lobby days.

  • Building a strong, sustainable, student-funded, and student-run organization on campus by fundraising, building relationships with key players on campus, and building our brand. 

  • Building relationships with other student groups, faculty and administrators.

  • Working alongside students to win real reforms for the public.

  • Running a citizen outreach office during the summer, where you’ll recruit and lead a team of canvassers to fundraise for important issues.

We’re hiring campus organizers to help recruit and train the next generation of activists to tackle climate change, single use plastics, hunger and homelessness and more. If you want to help students get organized, mobilized, and energized apply today

To Apply: Apply today at https://jobs.studentpirgs.org/  We are hiring for positions starting in August 2022. Immediate positions also available.

US Attorney’s Office

Alumna, Alana Robinson ’85, has opened her doors to undergraduate students to shadow US Attorneys, participate in open houses, and apply for the robust internship program.  Learn more about the internship here: US Attorney's Office Internship

US Department of Justice

The US Department of Justice has various internship opportunities available, and the Civil Division has a limited number of vocational/technical school and college undergraduate volunteer student internship positions available within its branches.
   
A volunteer student internship with the Civil Division offers a unique experience for highly motivated students. The specific duties and responsibilities associated with all student intern positions will vary day-to-day and be based on branch needs. Student volunteers will perform a wide variety of administrative support duties, such as:
   
   1. Conducting research and assisting with special projects and day-to-day operations;
   2. Preparing and analyzing reports;
   3. Drafting memoranda, correspondence, or other documents;
   4. Proofreading, editing, and assisting with manual revision;
   5. Maintaining case files; and
   6. Performing general office tasks, such as answering telephones, copying and filing.
   
The internship is unpaid, but may be eligible for academic or work-study credit

Internships are six weeks long and students must submit a resume, cover letter, and referece letters to Lisa Mitzelfeld; lisa.mitzelfeld@usdoj.gov

Voterfied - Digital Campaigner

Available Position Title: Digital Campaigner 

The Graphic Design / Digital Campaigner Intern will be working within our Political Affairs Department. This unpaid internship opportunity consists of developing digital political marketing pieces.

- Must be proficient in Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, & Photoshop and/or other common design and layout Applications
- Email template creation 
- Social Media savvy 
- Having a computer and access to graphic design and layout software is required
- Proficient command of English grammar and spelling 
- Ability to work independently  
- Some knowledge of politics preferred 
    
Pay Rate:Unpaid - with the potential to become paid 

Duration of internship opportunity: 1 year 

Please submit a resume to Garrett Hernandez Rimer, VP of Political Affairs, at garrett@voterfied.com 

Any comments, questions, or concerns, please visit Voterfied.com

Voterfied - Political Consulting

Available Position Title: Political Consulting Internship 

The Political Consulting Intern will work directly with the VP of Political Affairs to help manage our candidates and elected officials using Voterfied.
 
- Be willing to work in a non-partisan manner
- Political Research 
- Voter Targeting
- Press Releases
- Opposition Research
- Social Media
- Graphic Design abilities preferred 


Pay Rate: Unpaid 

Duration of internship opportunity:1 year

Please submit a resume to Garrett Hernandez Rimer, VP of Political Affairs, at garrett@voterfied.com 

Any comments, questions, or concerns, please visit Voterfied.com