Attorney's Office Internship Program

Our diverse and inclusive workforce of more than 7,000 employees play a key role in the success of San José, the heart of the Silicon Valley. All City of San José employees work together as one team to make San José a vibrant, innovative, and desirable place to live and work. Visit here to learn more about our One Team Leadership Values and Expectations, including quality and excellent customer service and here to learn more about San José.

The City of San José is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state or local laws. The City of San José is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at 408-535-1285, 711 (TTY) , or via email at CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov .

About the Department

The City Attorney's Office is committed to providing excellent legal services to its clients and supporting their efforts to better serve the citizens of the City of San José. It has a diverse staff of highly talented professionals with the expertise to provide comprehensive legal services for a wide range of issues facing a dynamic city. The Office strives to efficiently manage resources to meet the daily operational needs of its clients in a cost-effective and timely manner, while building the internal capacity to flexibly respond to the City’s ever changing legal needs.

Position Duties

Interns in the City Attorney’s Office may receive assignments from both the Litigation and Transactional Divisions, providing exposure to a broad range of municipal legal work. This cross-divisional experience allows interns to develop a well-rounded understanding of public agency legal practice.

Assignments will be based on office needs, intern interests, and background. Descriptions can be found in the Division pages of the City Attorney's Office website.

Litigation Division
Interns assist attorneys with various stages of litigation Typical assignments may include:

• Conducting legal research and drafting memoranda
• Drafting pleadings, motions, and discovery responses
• Participating in litigation strategy meetings
• Attending mediations, depositions, arbitrations, and trials
• Certified law students may also have the opportunity to appear in court or administrative hearings under attorney supervision.

Transactional Division
Interns assist attorneys serving as counsel to City departments. Typical assignments may include:

• Researching legal issues and drafting legal memoranda
• Drafting ordinances, resolutions, contracts, and other legal instruments
• Analyzing pending state legislation
• Participating in meetings with City departments and Council agenda review sessions

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must be currently enrolled in an accredited law school to be eligible for the City Attorney’s Law Student Intern Program. Preference will be given to students entering their second or third year of law school; however, qualified rising 2Ls will also be considered. Completion of coursework in Evidence, Civil Procedure, and Constitutional law is desirable.

Interns must be willing to work a minimum of 20 hours per week during the school term, 40 hours per week for summer interns. Office hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Work schedules are flexible based on the intern’s class schedule as well as the operational needs of the office. Once a schedule has been agreed upon, interns are expected to maintain the schedule on a consistent basis.

The Summer Program will run from Tuesday, May 26, through Friday, August 7, 2025. Requests for schedule exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Other Qualifications

To apply, please submit the following materials with your application:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• Writing sample
• Law School transcript (electronic copy)
• Completed supplemental questions

In your cover letter, please indicate your interest in a litigation, transactional, or combined internship placement.

Additional Information:

Employment Eligibility: Federal law requires all employees to provide verification of their eligibility to work in this country. Please be informed that the City of San Jose will NOT sponsor, represent or sign any documents related to visa applications/transfers for H1-B or any other type of visa which requires an employer application.

You must answer all job-specific questions to be considered for this vacancy or your application will be deemed incomplete and withheld from further consideration. Applicants are expected to write their own essays/responses.

Please note that applications are currently not accepted through CalOpps or any other third party job board application system.

This recruitment may be used to fill multiple positions in this, or other divisions or departments. If you are interested in employment in this classification, you should apply to ensure you are considered for additional opportunities that may utilize the applicants from this recruitment.

Please allow adequate time to complete the application and submit before the deadline or the system may not save your application. If your online application was successfully submitted, you will receive an automatic confirmation email to the email address you provided. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE THE CONFIRMATION, please email CityCareers@sanjoseca.gov and we will research the status of your application.

AI and the Hiring Process

We recognize that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming part of daily life and can be a valuable tool for learning, research, and professional growth. We encourage candidates to use AI responsibly as a support in preparing application materials, live assessments, and interviews. However, we value authenticity, accuracy and truthfulness. Application responses and interview answers must reflect your own knowledge, skills, and experiences. While AI can supplement preparation, it cannot replace the originality and judgment we look for in our employees. This ensures fairness, transparency, and equity for all applicants in the hiring process.

Part-time positions(less than 40 hours per week) are required to participate in the City’s PTC 457 Deferred Compensation Plan per Federal regulations. Employees are required to contribute 3.75% of gross earning and the City contributes a matching amount of 3.75%. The funds contributed by the City are 100% vested upon initial deferral and will be held in a stability of principal investment. This plan is in lieu of social security and does not include any healthcare benefits or contributions.

Part-time employees may elect to contribute additional retirement savings through the City’s Voluntary 457 Deferred Compensation Plan. Additional Information on both plans can be found on the City’s website.

Closing Date/Time: 1/9/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

• 

• City of San Jose

• 408-535-1285

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