What are the responsibilities and job description for the LAW CLERK-EMERGENCY APPOINTMENT/HOMELESS INITIATIVE position at LOS ANGELES COUNTY?
Position/Program Information
RECRUITMENT TYP E :
We welcome applications from anyone.
FILING DATES :
The application filing period will begin on Monday, May 11, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. (PT) - Continuous. We will keep accepting applications until the position is filled. The application window may close unexpectedly once we have enough qualified candidates.
EXAM NUMBER:
L9240A-EA
REPOSTING INFORMATION:
This announcement is being reposted to reopen the filing period.
The LA County Board of Supervisors recently declared a local state of emergency for homelessness, and the County is working to revise and expand our response to help all who are affected. We are looking for qualified and passionate individuals to help us in the mission of addressing issues like housing, mental health, and substance use. If you are looking for a new career that will directly benefit the population of LA County, this may be the opportunity for you.
We are an essential contributor to Los Angeles County’s homelessness emergency response. Through its legal services, the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office works to facilitate the diversion of thousands of low-income community members annually from LA County’s jails and into treatment services and works to reduce the collateral social and economic impacts of contact with the criminal legal system, such as losing employment, social services, and housing. The collective services provided and supported by our workforce have a direct and indirect positive impact on our local homelessness crisis.
POSITION INFORMATION:
The Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office Law Clerk Program introduces select students to the operations of the office, the court system, and related agencies within the criminal justice system. Law Clerks are mentored by experienced criminal defense attorneys and gain meaningful, real-world legal experience.
Law Clerks play an important role in supporting attorneys who provide legal assistance to homeless clients seeking mental health and substance use disorder treatment and services, helping ensure that unhoused clients receive appropriate legal support and access to critical care.
Participants have the opportunity to observe and take part in client interviews, case strategy discussions, and court proceedings. They may also complete research and writing assignments, including briefs, investigation requests, and motions for court filing. In addition, Law Clerks may accompany attorneys to jail interviews and attend Public Defender training sessions.
The Law Clerk internship program follows the academic calendar and is offered during the summer (10 weeks) and in the spring and fall (16 weeks).
Essential Job Functions
Requirements
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS :
You MUST meet ONE of the requirements listed below in order to be appointed to fill any vacancies related to this recruitment:
Option 1:
Under Option 1:
A copy of your official or unofficial transcripts or an official letter from the ABA or CALS-approved, or accredited institution that clearly shows your current enrollment and grade level at the time of filing or within seven (7) calendar days from the date of filing your application. Submit your documentation to Exams@pubdef.lacounty.gov , and indicate the exam name and number in the subject field of your email. If you do not provide the required documentation within the specified time frame your application may be rejected.
Accreditation Information :
Accredited institutions are those listed in the publications of regional, national, or international accrediting agencies that are accepted by the Department of Human Resources. Publications such as American Universities and Colleges and the International Handbook of Universities are acceptable references. Also acceptable, if appropriate, are degrees that have been evaluated and deemed to be equivalent to degrees from United States-accredited institutions by an academic credential evaluation agency recognized by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services or the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE). More information is available at the Department of Human Resources - Accredited College Education Resource Guide.
Under Option 2:
A copy of your FYLSX exam results letter from the State Bar of California at the time of filing or within seven (7) calendar days from the date of applying. Submit your documentation to Exams@pubdef.lacounty.gov , and indicate the exam name and number in the subject field of your email.
If you do not provide the required documentation within the specified time frame your application may be rejected.
**FYLSX or "baby bar" is designed and required for Law students after completing their first year of law study in a juris doctor degree program at a State Bar-unaccredited registered law school or through the Law Office Study Program, or those without two years of college work attending a California-accredited or an ABA-approved law school. More information is available at The State Bar of California website or the Admissions and Education Standards Rule 4.25 - 4.31.
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 II - 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.
VACANCY INFORMATION :
Applicants under this Emergency Appointment recruitment effort will be appointed to fill vacancies within the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office.
Additional Information
APPLICATION AND FILING INFORMATION:
Applications must be filed online only and will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. If you have not been contacted within 60 days and the recruitment remains open or reopens for filing, we encourage you to submit a new application. This will allow you to reaffirm your interest and update any relevant information. Many important notifications will be sent electronically to the email address provided on the application, so it is important that you provide a valid email address. Please add the following email addresses to your list of approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered as spam/junk/clutter mail.
AEbrahimi@pubdef.lacounty.gov
ABatungbacal@pubdef.lacounty.gov
MHerrera@pubdef.lacounty.gov
Exams@pubdef.lacounty.gov
Personnel@pubdef.lacounty.gov
noreply@governmentjobs.com
info@governmentjobs.com
You have the ability to opt out of emails from LA County. If you unsubscribe, you will not receive any email notification for any examination for which you apply with Los Angeles County. Regardless of whether you choose to unsubscribe, you can always check for notifications by logging into governmentjobs.com and viewing your profile inbox, which saves a copy of all emailed notices.
Plan to submit your online application well in advance of the deadline as you may be required to verify your email address. This only needs to be done once per email address, and if you already have a job seeker account on www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacounty , you can verify at any time by logging in and following the prompts. This is to enhance the security of your online application and to ensure you do not enter an incorrect email address.
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER:
Please include your Social Security Number for record control purposes. Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number.
COMPUTER AND INTERNET ACCESS AT PUBLIC LIBRARIES: For candidates who may not have regular access to a computer or internet, applications can be completed on computers at public libraries throughout Los Angeles County.
NO SHARING OF USER ID AND PASSWORD: All applicants must file their application online using their user ID and password. Using a family member's or friend's user ID and password may erase a candidate's original application record.
Department Contact Name: Minoja Herrera
Department Contact Phone: (213) 460-8075
Department Contact Email: Exams@pubdef.lacounty.gov
California Relay Service Phone (Voice Carry Over [VCO]): (800) 735-2922
For detailed information, please click here
RECRUITMENT TYP E :
We welcome applications from anyone.
FILING DATES :
The application filing period will begin on Monday, May 11, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. (PT) - Continuous. We will keep accepting applications until the position is filled. The application window may close unexpectedly once we have enough qualified candidates.
EXAM NUMBER:
L9240A-EA
REPOSTING INFORMATION:
This announcement is being reposted to reopen the filing period.
The LA County Board of Supervisors recently declared a local state of emergency for homelessness, and the County is working to revise and expand our response to help all who are affected. We are looking for qualified and passionate individuals to help us in the mission of addressing issues like housing, mental health, and substance use. If you are looking for a new career that will directly benefit the population of LA County, this may be the opportunity for you.
We are an essential contributor to Los Angeles County’s homelessness emergency response. Through its legal services, the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office works to facilitate the diversion of thousands of low-income community members annually from LA County’s jails and into treatment services and works to reduce the collateral social and economic impacts of contact with the criminal legal system, such as losing employment, social services, and housing. The collective services provided and supported by our workforce have a direct and indirect positive impact on our local homelessness crisis.
POSITION INFORMATION:
The Los Angeles County Public Defender’s Office Law Clerk Program introduces select students to the operations of the office, the court system, and related agencies within the criminal justice system. Law Clerks are mentored by experienced criminal defense attorneys and gain meaningful, real-world legal experience.
Law Clerks play an important role in supporting attorneys who provide legal assistance to homeless clients seeking mental health and substance use disorder treatment and services, helping ensure that unhoused clients receive appropriate legal support and access to critical care.
Participants have the opportunity to observe and take part in client interviews, case strategy discussions, and court proceedings. They may also complete research and writing assignments, including briefs, investigation requests, and motions for court filing. In addition, Law Clerks may accompany attorneys to jail interviews and attend Public Defender training sessions.
The Law Clerk internship program follows the academic calendar and is offered during the summer (10 weeks) and in the spring and fall (16 weeks).
Essential Job Functions
- Provides support to attorneys in a wide variety of legal tasks including research, interpretation, and application of laws, court decisions, and other legal authorities for use in the preparation of cases, pleadings, briefs, and other legal documents.
- Assists in reviewing and preparing case file discovery related to clients' mental health and substance use disorders.
- Analyzes medical records, psychiatric evaluations, and other relevant documents to identify key factors contributing to mitigation.
- Interviews clients to obtain factual, biographical and financial information and assists in the scheduling of witnesses and prepares witnesses and clients in courtroom procedures and appropriate protocol.
- Collaborates with the assigned attorney in drafting legal briefs and motions presented in court for mitigation, trial preparation, or hearings.
- Performs clerical and enters data into computer system.
Requirements
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS :
You MUST meet ONE of the requirements listed below in order to be appointed to fill any vacancies related to this recruitment:
Option 1:
- Currently enrolled in and have completed the first year or equivalent of study* in a school accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) or a California-accredited law school (CALS).
*Program of study includes full-time, part-time, or distance learning programs. Completion of the first year or equivalent means the completion of the expected coursework during the first year (1L) of law school.
- Currently enrolled in an unaccredited law school registered with the State Bar of California (CALS) or currently participating in a law office study (LOS) program -AND- have passed the State Bar of California First Year Law Student's Examination (FYLSX)**
Under Option 1:
A copy of your official or unofficial transcripts or an official letter from the ABA or CALS-approved, or accredited institution that clearly shows your current enrollment and grade level at the time of filing or within seven (7) calendar days from the date of filing your application. Submit your documentation to Exams@pubdef.lacounty.gov , and indicate the exam name and number in the subject field of your email. If you do not provide the required documentation within the specified time frame your application may be rejected.
Accreditation Information :
Accredited institutions are those listed in the publications of regional, national, or international accrediting agencies that are accepted by the Department of Human Resources. Publications such as American Universities and Colleges and the International Handbook of Universities are acceptable references. Also acceptable, if appropriate, are degrees that have been evaluated and deemed to be equivalent to degrees from United States-accredited institutions by an academic credential evaluation agency recognized by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services or the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE). More information is available at the Department of Human Resources - Accredited College Education Resource Guide.
Under Option 2:
A copy of your FYLSX exam results letter from the State Bar of California at the time of filing or within seven (7) calendar days from the date of applying. Submit your documentation to Exams@pubdef.lacounty.gov , and indicate the exam name and number in the subject field of your email.
If you do not provide the required documentation within the specified time frame your application may be rejected.
**FYLSX or "baby bar" is designed and required for Law students after completing their first year of law study in a juris doctor degree program at a State Bar-unaccredited registered law school or through the Law Office Study Program, or those without two years of college work attending a California-accredited or an ABA-approved law school. More information is available at The State Bar of California website or the Admissions and Education Standards Rule 4.25 - 4.31.
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 II - 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.
VACANCY INFORMATION :
Applicants under this Emergency Appointment recruitment effort will be appointed to fill vacancies within the Los Angeles County Public Defender's Office.
Additional Information
APPLICATION AND FILING INFORMATION:
Applications must be filed online only and will be reviewed on an ongoing basis. If you have not been contacted within 60 days and the recruitment remains open or reopens for filing, we encourage you to submit a new application. This will allow you to reaffirm your interest and update any relevant information. Many important notifications will be sent electronically to the email address provided on the application, so it is important that you provide a valid email address. Please add the following email addresses to your list of approved senders to prevent email notifications from being filtered as spam/junk/clutter mail.
AEbrahimi@pubdef.lacounty.gov
ABatungbacal@pubdef.lacounty.gov
MHerrera@pubdef.lacounty.gov
Exams@pubdef.lacounty.gov
Personnel@pubdef.lacounty.gov
noreply@governmentjobs.com
info@governmentjobs.com
You have the ability to opt out of emails from LA County. If you unsubscribe, you will not receive any email notification for any examination for which you apply with Los Angeles County. Regardless of whether you choose to unsubscribe, you can always check for notifications by logging into governmentjobs.com and viewing your profile inbox, which saves a copy of all emailed notices.
Plan to submit your online application well in advance of the deadline as you may be required to verify your email address. This only needs to be done once per email address, and if you already have a job seeker account on www.governmentjobs.com/careers/lacounty , you can verify at any time by logging in and following the prompts. This is to enhance the security of your online application and to ensure you do not enter an incorrect email address.
SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER:
Please include your Social Security Number for record control purposes. Federal law requires that all employed persons have a Social Security Number.
COMPUTER AND INTERNET ACCESS AT PUBLIC LIBRARIES: For candidates who may not have regular access to a computer or internet, applications can be completed on computers at public libraries throughout Los Angeles County.
NO SHARING OF USER ID AND PASSWORD: All applicants must file their application online using their user ID and password. Using a family member's or friend's user ID and password may erase a candidate's original application record.
Department Contact Name: Minoja Herrera
Department Contact Phone: (213) 460-8075
Department Contact Email: Exams@pubdef.lacounty.gov
California Relay Service Phone (Voice Carry Over [VCO]): (800) 735-2922
For detailed information, please click here