Summer Law Clerk – Youth Service Corps

Overview

The City of Riverside is accepting applications for two (2)
Summer Law Clerks - Youth Service Corps to establish an eligibility list that may be used to fill current and/or upcoming vacancies within this classification for up to six (6) months, but may be extended.

The Riverside City Attorney’s Office (RCAO) is comprised of the City Attorney, three Assistant City Attorneys, fourteen Deputy City Attorneys, four paralegals, and legal support specialists. The RCAO serves as corporate counsel to the City of Riverside, a charter city and municipal corporation. As such, the RCAO plays an integral role in the day-to-day operation of the City. In this regard, the RCAO serves as general counsel to the City Council and represents all City officers and employees in matters of law pertaining to their offices and appears for the City in actions or proceedings in which the City, its officers and employees are a party.

The RCAO also approves the form of all contracts made by, and all bonds and certificates of insurance given to the City and prepares any and all proposed ordinances and/or resolutions for the City and amendments thereto. The RCAO prides itself in being able to keep the majority of its legal work in-house. As in-house counsel, attorneys routinely practice in the areas of administrative law, environmental law, land use law, torts and civil rights law, employment law, public utilities law, public contracts law, and other areas unique to the public sector.

The City of Riverside is California’s 12th-largest municipality and serves as the county seat for Riverside County. Riverside is home to the Federal and state courts and various judicial districts.

This position will be part of our Youth Service Corps Internship Program. The Youth Service Corps Intern Program emphasizes three areas of service: food insecurity, climate change, and public service. It combines responsibilities, learning opportunities, and the chance to interact meaningfully with your community.

* The job classification being used is General Service Worker. Summer Law Clerk – Youth Service Corp is a working title to reflect the current, specific need.

The Riverside City Attorney’s Office (RCAO) established an internship program over 15 years ago. What distinguishes an internship at the RCAO from other legal internships? Practical experience. Our interns have told us time and again that the RCAO provides interns with real legal work and responsibility. Interns who have become Certified Law Students have written and argued motions in the Superior Court and have made other appearances under the supervision of an attorney.

Interns who are not Bar Certified may still prosecute or defend actions on behalf of the City in Small Claims Court. From a litigation perspective, interns also provide assistance in all phases of litigation including trial. However, the office does more than litigation. Interns also research and draft legal opinions regarding issues facing the City and help draft and revise provisions of the Riverside Municipal Code.

Interns also attend meetings involving City Council and the City’s various Boards and Commissions.

To qualify for the Youth Service Corps program, you must be between the ages of 16 and 30 years old and meet two or more of these criteria:

• Have not participated in an Ameri Corps program
• May have difficulty finding employment
• Are low income
• Are unemployed and/or out of school
• Are/ were justice involved
• Are in/or transitioning from foster care, and/or
• Are engaged with the mental health or substance abuse system

Note:

While we encourage all interested candidates to apply, the Youth Service Corps requires that 75% of all hires through the program meet two (2) or more of the eligibility requirements listed above. Candidates who do not meet all eligibility requirements are still welcome to apply, but their application may not be available for grant funding.

• Law clerks must be in good standing and enrolled at an ABA- or California State Bar-accredited law school.
• Participation in law review, moot court, trial advocacy, and other extracurricular activities…