Internship
Each summer, the Office of County Counsel offers law students from across the Country the opportunity to learn and experience working in one of the most prestigious government law organizations in the nation.
SUMMER 2025 INTERNSHIP PROGRAM
CHALLENGE YOURSELF.
TAKE IT TO THE NEXT LEVEL.
Program Information
The Office of the County Counsel for the County of Los Angeles is one of the largest public civil law firms in the United States. Additionally, the County of Los Angeles has a responsibility and aspires to become a region where every resident can thrive regardless of the color of their skin, gender, religion or national origin.
This summer, the Office is offering flexible both remote and in-person internship positions, as described more fully below. The following divisions within the Office are currently interviewing candidates for the Program:
Compensation
This is an unpaid governmental internship for Summer 2025. Check with your school to see if grant or scholarship opportunities are available.
Application Period
Accepting applications on a rolling basis beginning in December 2024, until all positions are filled
TYPES OF LEGAL
INTERNSHIPS
This summer, the Office is offering flexible both remote and in-person internship positions, as described more fully below. The following divisions within the Office are interviewing candidates for the Program. Please click on each division below to obtain further information regarding the types of assignments offered by each division to the interns.
DIVISIONS
Affirmative Litigation and Consumer Protection
Appeals
Board Liaison
Dependency
General Litigation
Government Services
Health Service
Justice & Safety
Labor and Employment
Litigation Monitoring
OCHO
Peace Officer Records
Probate
Property
Public Works
Social Services
Transportation
Workers' Compensation
Click on the buttons
on the left to learn
more about each Division
Affirmative Litigation and Consumer Protection
In the Affirmative Litigation and Consumer Protection Division, interns will work with attorneys on consumer protection-related matters, environmental justice/public nuisance issues and code enforcement cases. The assignments may include advising the Department of Consumer and Business Affairs on wage enforcement matters, drafting and preparing civil rights amicus briefs, attending court hearings as well as conducting legal research and preparing legal memoranda and briefs.
Appeals Division
In the Appeals Division, interns will work with attorneys representing the Department of Children and Family Services at the appellate level. Interns will have the opportunity to research dependency and appellate issues, read opening briefs, help prepare responsive briefs and other legal memoranda, assist with client communication, attend oral arguments held in the Court of Appeal, and draft summaries of recently published cases.
Board Liaison Division
In the Board Liaison Division, interns will conduct legal research and draft memoranda on diverse topics, including federal immigration policy, governmental ethics and conflicts of interest. Interns will review and track pending federal and state legislation of importance to the County. Interns will also have the opportunity to observe board and commission meetings subject to the Ralph M. Brown Act and assist with research and responses to Public Records Act requests.
Dependency Division
In the Dependency Division, interns will assist trial attorneys representing the Department of Children and Family Services in child abuse and neglect cases. Interns will have the opportunity to attend court hearings, research legal issues, prepare legal memorandum and briefs, and assist with trial preparation and client communication.
General Litigation Division
In the General Litigation Division, interns will assist attorneys representing various County departments in litigation matters, including appellate matters. Interns will have the opportunity to research legal issues, prepare legal memoranda and briefs, attend court hearings and mediation, and argue before the Court of Appeal.
Government Services Division
In the Government Services Division, interns will assist attorneys in conducting legal research on various areas of government law, including elections, public finance, government contracts and the California Public Records Act. Interns may be called to assist in drafting local ordinances.
Health Service Division
The Health Service Division (HSD) advises the Los Angeles County Health Agencies, including the Departments of Health Services, Mental Health, Public Health, and Medical Examiner (formerly the Coroner), addressing some of the most pressing concerns facing the County including homelessness, diverting individuals with mental health needs from jail to community-based treatment, public health and sanitation, and ensuring the neediest of the county have access to medical and mental health care. Interns will be exposed to litigation, assisting with providing legal advice, legal research, attending client meetings and responding to Public Records Act requests.
Justice & Safety Division
In the Justice & Safety Division, interns will assist attorneys in conducting legal research, preparing legal memoranda, and will have the opportunity to attend mediations and roundtable discussing pending lawsuits. Interns may also be called to assist with settlement agreements and responding to requests pursuant to the California Public Records Act.
Labor and Employment Division
In the Labor and Employment Division, interns will have the opportunity to attend court hearings, mediations, depositions, and roundtables discussing pending lawsuits against the County involving alleged unlawful employment and labor practices. Interns will have the opportunity to research legal issues and prepare legal memoranda and briefs.
Litigation Monitoring Division
The Litigation Monitoring Team routinely reviews and maintains office policies and practices that impact County litigation and is responsible for updating the office's Litigation Management Handbook. The Team also collaborates with other County Counsel divisions, County Departments, and third-party partners to problem-solve and address issues unique to County litigation. Interns will observe case roundtables across all departments and have the opportunity to discuss the roundtables as a group upon their conclusion.
Peace Officer Records Division
In the Peace Officer Records Division, interns will work with attorneys and paralegals to review and analyze redacted peace officer records and audio/video recordings to ensure compliance with the California Public Records Act and the County Code. Assignments may also include drafting responses to requests for peace officer records, conducting legal research, and assisting paralegals in researching and tracking legislation that affects the release of peace officer personnel records.
Probate Division
In the Probate Division, interns will assist attorneys on a breadth of probate-related matters involving conservatorships for the Public Guardian and decedent estates for the Public Administrator, including matters involving personal property, elder abuse, self-neglect, homelessness, mental illness, heirship determinations, civil litigation, and discovery. Interns will have the opportunity to attend court hearings, research legal issues, prepare legal memoranda and briefs, and assist with trial preparation and client communication.
Property Division
In the Property Division, interns will assist attorneys who advise numerous departments on both advisory and litigation matters involving Land Use, Real Estate, Contracts, Writs of Mandate and the Americans with Disabilities Act. Interns will have the opportunity to attend court hearings, research legal issues, prepare legal memoranda and briefs, and assist with trial preparation and client communication.
Public Works Division
In the Public Works Division, interns will assist attorneys in a vast array of assignment areas, including construction, storm water quality, water rights and distribution, solid waste and management, traffic and road matters, environmental law, eminent domain, inverse condemnation, and emergency/disaster management. Interns will have the opportunity to research legal issues and prepare legal memoranda and briefs. Interns may be called upon to assist in drafting local ordinances.
Transportation Division
In the Transportation Division, interns will assist attorneys who provide legal advice to the Board of Directors and executive management of the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro). The Transportation Division is co-located in the Metro headquarters building and provides day to day advice on a wide range of issues, including, procurement, real estate, civil rights, construction, Brown Act, public records, and environmental law.
Workers' Compensation Division
In the Workers' Compensation Division, the interns will research legal issues, assist with drafting memoranda and communication with the third party administrator and opposing counsel. Additionally, the interns will assist with hearing preparation, and attend hearings anddepositions with supervising attorneys.
OCHO
The Office of County Hearing Officer (OCHO) is a unit established with the County Counsel’s Office to independently conduct administrative hearings on matters within the jurisdiction of Los Angeles County. Interns assigned to OCHO will assist with legal research involving a multitude of issues that impact the county for formal hearing officer opinions and decisions, as well as draft notices, review and organize evidence, and review requests for reconsideration. Interns will also attend administrative hearings, mediations, and various other conferences.
Hear from our Interns
Our Interns love working with us, just read what they have to say!
INCLUSION, DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND ANTIRACISM (IDEA):
The Office of County Counsel is committed to inclusion, diversity, equity and antiracism (IDEA) and we believe that these principles are necessary to build a culture of belonging for all employees, volunteers and summer interns. Our commitment is to deliberately and intentionally advance IDEA and through these efforts better serve the County of Los Angeles.
LA COUNTYWIDE GUIDING EQUITY PRINCIPLES:
The Board of Supervisors approved principles that helps County departments weigh
considerations and ensure that program, policy, and funding decisions align with the Board’s
anti-racism agenda. To learn more about the equity principles, please visit
Racial Equity Strategic Plan – Los Angeles County
APPLICATION INFORMATION:
Applications must include a resume, a cover letter, and writing sample that is no longer than 10 pages. The cover letter should indicate the following: the applicant’s interests, any relevant
experience, and the division(s) within the Office the applicant is applying for.
All internships are unpaid
Accordingly, interns must secure their own financing for the summer. Please check with your respective law school to determine if you are eligible for grants, scholarships, and/or law school credit.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The interns will participate in the summer internship program remotely from their respective locations. The remote location must be within the United States. Participation in the program from outside of the United Stated is not permitted under any circumstances. The Office will accommodate interns who are interested in participating in the internship program in-person. Second-year and third-year law students who have satisfactorily completed a course in Evidence are eligible to obtain “certification” through the State Bar and make court appearances, take depositions, and participate in active litigation under the close supervision of County Counsel attorneys in applicable programs. Certification for each intern is subject to approval by the State Bar. Interns are responsible for applying to the State Bar for the Certification and paying for the Certification
CONTACT INFORMATION
Please submit required documents via email to: InternProgram@counsel.lacounty.gov.
DESIRED CLASS LEVEL
The summer internship program is open to first, second, and third- year law students.
Frequently Asked Questions
(FAQ)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the duration of the internship?
The internship is a 10-week program. It begins on May 27, 2025 and ends on August 1, 2025
Is the internship paid?
Our internships typically last the Summer. The start and end dates will be specified in the job listing. We offer both full-time and part-time options depending on your availability and academic schedule.
What should be included in my application?
Applications must include a resume, a cover letter, and writing sample that is no longer than 10 pages. The cover letter should indicate the following: the applicant’s interests, any relevant experience, and the division(s) within the Office the applicant is applying for. Please review a description of each of our divisions and the work interns are expected to perform in each division here (link to the division description). The candidates are encouraged to apply for several divisions.
Where should I submit my application?
Please submit required application documents via email to: InternProgram@counsel.lacounty.gov.
What qualifications do I need to have in order to apply for the internship?
The summer internship program is open to first, second, and third- year law students.
Is the internship remote or in person?
The interns will participate in the summer internship program remotely from their respective locations. The remote location must be within the United States. Participation in the program from outside of the United Stated is not permitted under any circumstances. The Office encourages in-person participation and will accommodate interns who are interested in working from the Office.
As an intern, would I be able to make court appearances, take depositions and participate in active litigation?
Second-year and third-year law students who have satisfactorily completed a course in Evidence are eligible to obtain “certification” through the State Bar and make court appearances, take depositions, and participate in active litigation under the close supervision of County Counsel attorneys in applicable programs. Certification for each intern is subject to approval by the State Bar. Interns are responsible for applying to the State Bar for the Certification and paying for the Certification.
How is the internship structured and what type of assignments will I be working on as an intern?
Each division with the Office takes one or more interns. Each intern will be placed in one division and will be working on assignments provided by that division. The type of assignment will depend on the division’s nature of work and practice area. Please review a description of each of our divisions and the work interns are expected to perform in each division here (link to the division description). During the internship, there will be multiple presentations for the interns as a group. This will be an opportunity for the interns to all be together (virtually) and participate in the presentations given by County Counsel attorneys, department heads, judges and other presenters. The interns will also have the opportunity to attend several in-person meetings and tours, to the extent the interns are able to participate in those. The tours will include visiting the Natural History Museum and the Los Angeles County Music Center. Interns will also have the opportunity to visit courtrooms, attend hearings, and other administrative meetings, including the meetings of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.
Do I need to complete the Livescan background check if I receive an offer?
Any offer is contingent upon the candidate’s successful completion of a Livescan background check, per standard County protocol. Livescan results must be received and approved before the start of the internship program. Our Human Resources Division (HR) will reach out to the candidate to schedule the Livescan. If the candidate is unable to complete the Livescan at our Offices, HR will provide the candidate further information regarding completion of the Livescan at another location. Livescans that are completed out of our Office take several weeks longer to process, and therefore, it is critical that the candidate begin the Livescan process early. Candidates who complete the Livescan outside of our Office are responsible for paying for the Livescan. Livescans completed at our Office are free of charge.
Social Services Division
In the Social Services Division, interns will assist attorneys representing a variety of County departments and entities that administer public benefits and social services, such as the Department of Children and Family Services, Department of Public Social Services, and the Department of Animal Care and Control. Interns will have the opportunity to prepare legal opinions, review contracts, and draft and review County ordinances, legislation, and agency policies. Additional assignments may include general legal research, drafting legal briefs, working in the warrant unit, assisting the Child Abduction Unit, attending Board of Supervisors meetings, and preparing clients for depositions and court appearances.