Law Clerk II – Post-Bar

Job Description

District Attorney Post-Bar Law Clerk: February or July 2027 Bar Exam (Law Clerk II) | County of Riverside

The Tone:
This is a full-time role at County of Riverside, located in Riverside County, CA, with special consideration given to vacancies in the Coachella Valley and Colorado River Offices. The County of Riverside Office of the District Attorney is a public prosecutor’s office, comprising over 700 dedicated staff, committed to vigorously enforcing the law, pursuing truth, protecting victims, and ensuring justice for the community. This Law Clerk II position provides essential legal research and assistance to licensed attorneys, serving as a crucial stepping stone for individuals aspiring to become entry-level prosecutors upon successfully passing the California Bar Exam. Incumbents are expected to promote to the Deputy District Attorney I classification.

The TL;DR
• Role: Early Career
• Type: Full-time
• Location: In-person, Riverside County, CA

• Mission: Provide legal research and assistance in support of licensed attorneys, with the potential to transition into an entry-level prosecutor role.

What You’ll Actually Do
• Perform: Legal research in the preparation of legal briefs, opinions, and similar documents.
• Prepare: Drafts of legal memoranda summarizing studies of court decisions, state statutes, and County Ordinances.
• Assist: With case preparation, including witness contact, victim contact, and evidence preparation.
• Attend: And appear on the record in court to support legal proceedings.
• Work: In the case management system, prepare motions, and assist with other case-related duties.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Enrolled in final year or graduated no earlier than 2025 from an accredited Juris Doctorate (JD) or Master of Law (LLM) program. Must have knowledge of principles of civil and criminal law, legal research methods, trial/hearing procedures, rules of evidence, and county government functions.
• Experience: Must be a first-time tester expecting to take or awaiting results for the California State Bar Exam in February or July 2027. Alternatively, candidates may have previous intern or Law Clerk experience with the County of Riverside Office of the District Attorney, or a current active bar license in another jurisdiction. Must be eligible to obtain a Certificate for Practical Training of Law Students from the California Board of Bar Examiners.
• Skills: Ability to perform legal research, analyze legal problems, prepare drafts of legal documents, present states of fact, law, and argument clearly and logically in written and oral form, and work cooperatively with others. Must be eligible to obtain a valid California Driver’s License.
• Bonus: Knowledge of discovery obligations and timely disclosure. Ability to prepare and organize extensive legal discovery, evidence, and exhibits. Ability to prepare and conduct preliminary hearings, present misdemeanor trials, argue contested motions, devise trial strategy, and negotiate with defense attorneys.