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 2026 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 hybrid (remote and in-person) internship positions.

Compensation

This is an unpaid governmental internship for Summer 2026. Check with your school to see if grant or scholarship opportunities are available.

Application Period

We are accepting applications beginning in December 2025. Interviews will begin in January 2026.

TYPES OF LEGAL

INTERNSHIPS

The following divisions within the Office are interviewing candidates for the program. Please carefully review our flyer and scroll below for further information about our internship program before applying. Please click on each division below to obtain further information regarding the types of assignments offered by each division to the interns. (Please note that we have concluded our interviews for the 2026 Summer Program, and all divisions are full.  Please check-in with us again in January 2027 for our 2027 Summer Program)
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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

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 research and receive training on dependency and appellate issues, read opening briefs drafted by opposing counsel, and draft responsive briefs that contain background and argument sections. Interns will also prepare other legal memoranda for the office, draft summaries of recently published appellate cases, present those cases to the division, and have the opportunity to attend courtroom proceedings at the juvenile and appellate levels.

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 in representing County departments in State and Federal litigation, primarily in the areas of vehicle liability and dangerous condition of public property. They may also work on bail bond forfeiture proceedings in criminal courts. Interns will have the opportunity to research legal issues, prepare legal memoranda and briefs, attend court hearings, depositions, site inspections, 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. Interns will be exposed to litigation and will have the opportunity to attend client meetings and court hearings.

Health Service Division

The Health Services Division, 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 roundtables 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 Division (LMD) collaborates with other County Counsel divisions, County departments, and third-party partners to problem-solve and address issues unique to County litigation. LMD also oversees the processing of all pre-litigation government claims presented to the County. Interns will observe case roundtables (strategy meetings) in high-priority litigation matters across Divisions and will have the opportunity to discuss the roundtables as a group upon their conclusion. Interns will obtain exposure to public entity litigation of varied subject matters, will have the opportunity to research legal issues, and may also assist with responding to public records requests seeking claims or litigation information.

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 review and analyze real estate and service contracts, research legal issues, prepare legal memoranda and briefs, attend court hearings, assist with trial preparation, assist with property tax valuation appeals, and attend commission meetings.

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.

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.

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 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, the Brown Act, public records, and environmental law.

Workers' Compensation Division

In the Workers' Compensation Division, interns will research legal issues, assist with drafting memoranda, and communicate with the third-party administrator and opposing counsel. Additionally, interns will assist with hearing preparation and attend hearings and depositions with supervising attorneys.

Office of the County Hearing Officer (OCHO)

The Office of the County Hearing Officer (OCHO) conducts independent administrative hearings on matters within the County’s jurisdiction. Interns will assist with legal research on a wide range of issues impacting the County and support the preparation of formal hearing officer opinions and decisions. Interns will also draft notices, review and organize evidence, and evaluate requests for reconsideration. In addition, interns will have the opportunity to observe administrative hearings, mediations, and related conferences including prehearing preparation meetings and post-hearing debriefings with hearing officers, gaining first-hand exposure to the County’s independent administrative adjudication process.

Hear from our Interns

Our Interns love working with us, just read what they have to say!

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"Interning at County Counsel during my 1L summer was an exciting way to see the concepts I had just learned during my first year applied directly to real world scenarios. I met great mentors and friends, some of whom I have the pleasure of working with today. These experiences helped me narrow down how I wanted to use my law degree and set the course for my career as an attorney today"
- Jonathan Brazile – 2016 summer intern (USC Law School)
"My internship with County Counsel during my 1L summer was a life-changing experience that allowed me to discover my passion for public law and redirected my career aspirations. The invaluable mentorship and relationships I formed during that summer led me to return to the County as an attorney, where I am privileged to serve in a role that I find unique, interesting, and profoundly fulfilling."
- Heidi Liu – 2018 summer intern (UC Berkeley Law School)
"The summer internship with the Office of the County Counsel for the County of Los Angeles was an amazing, unforgettable experience. I observed and worked closely with attorneys in their mission to provide public service to the County of Los Angeles. Additionally, through the internship, I went on some behind the scenes tours of some of the County’s amazing facilities like the Music Center. There were also many opportunities to shadow the attorneys and visit the various courthouses where they make appearances. Talin Halabi and Adrian Gragas really took the time to mentor me and the other interns, making the experience unlike any other legal internship available. The internship program solidified my decision to pursue a career in public service and ultimately helped me attain a position with a neighboring County Counsel."
- Elyse Okada – 2018 Summer Intern (Southwestern Law School)
"Interning at the Office of County Counsel is one of my most rewarding and memorable experiences in law school. Not only was I able to gain practical and real world legal experience, but I also gained lifelong mentors I know I can rely on throughout my legal career."
- Tyler Battles - 2023 summer intern (Southwestern Law School)
"From day one, I was given numerous opportunities to actively contribute to cases, prepare presentations, attend oral arguments, and more. This hands-on experience was invaluable, helping me deepen my understanding of appellate law and the practical aspects of legal work. What truly set the internship apart, however, was the people. I was welcomed by a team of skilled attorneys, legal professionals, and fellow interns who encouraged me to take on challenging tasks, ask questions, and engage fully in the legal process. I cannot recommend this program enough!"
- Natasha Carogioiello -2024 summer intern (UCLA Law School)
"I loved my time at the County Counsel. I am incredibly fortunate to have gained brilliant mentors that I can ask advice from throughout my legal career. "
- Garrett Green – 2025 summer intern (Southwestern Law School)
"I absolutely loved the internship. I came into County Counsel with the thought that I might want to pursue a career here after law school, but I am now ending the internship knowing that I definitely want to pursue a career with County Counsel, specifically in the Dependency Division. I had the best experience here."
- Raquel Montoya – 2025 summer intern (California Western School of Law)
"This experience gave me everything I hoped for and more. It not only strengthened my confidence in my research and writing skills but also allowed me to see how civil attorneys contribute to the work of the government. I especially appreciated learning from so many experts across diverse fields and the various projects that made each day an incredible learning experience. . .the program was truly ideal. The trips, presentations, and opportunities to engage with different divisions were educational and genuinely special. It is uncommon to find a program with this level of flexibility, mentorship, and exposure to so many facets of government work. Most other internships are purely work-focused, but this program struck a perfect balance, and I know it will be hard to beat wherever I end up next."
- Benjamin Pritikin – 2025 summer intern (Southwestern Law School)
"I’ve truly enjoyed my experience at County Counsel and am appreciative of all of the presentations, field trips, and the opportunities within my division that were presented to me."
- Stephanie Sanchez – 2025 summer intern (Loyola Law School)
"The CoCo summer internship program gave me invaluable hands-on experience and mentorship and exposed me to every aspect of the legal process. All the mentors are eager to teach and provide opportunities to learn about any and all County processes. CoCo is a great place to spend your summer, especially after your first year, to learn and apply the skills you learned in school."
- Reese Rosental Saporito – 2025 summer intern (USC Law School)

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.

APPLICATION INFORMATION:

Applications must include a resume, a cover letter, and writing sample that is no longer than 10 pages. The cover letter should include information as to the following questions: (1) Why does the applicant want to intern with our Office; (2) What relevant experience and skills does the applicant have; (3) What particular division(s) would the applicant like to be placed in (we recommend that the applicant state more than one division, but less than four); and (4) Why is the applicant interested in those particular divisions.
Applicants can apply directly at https://counsel.lacounty.gov/internship-program/ or submit required documents and any questions via email to: InternProgram@counsel.lacounty.gov

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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.

All internships are unpaid

Accordingly, interns must secure their own financing for the summer. Please check with your law school to determine if you are eligible for grants, scholarships, and/or law school credit.

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

The internship is a 10-week program. It begins on May 26, 2026 and ends on July 31, 2026.

The Internship is unpaid. 

Applications must include a resume, a cover letter, and writing sample that is no longer than 10 pages. The cover letter should include information as to the following questions: (1) Why does the applicant want to intern with our Office; (2) What relevant experience and skills does the applicant have; (3) What particular division(s) would the applicant like to be placed in (we recommend that the applicant state more than one division, but less than four); and (4) Why is the applicant interested in those particular divisions.

Candidates are encouraged to submit their applications on this website. Candidates may also email the required application material to: InternProgram@counsel.lacounty.gov.

The summer internship program is open to first, second, and third- year law students.

The interns will ideally participate in the internship program both in-person and remotely. The internships will be hybrid positions. The remote location must be within the United States. Participation in the program from outside of the United States is not permitted under any circumstances. If a candidate wishes to only participate in the internship program remotely or in-person (i.e., not hybrid participation), that candidate must indicate so in their cover letter, and/or during the interview process. It is up to each division within the Office to determine whether it can make an exception and accommodate a fully remote or fully in-person intern.

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.

Each division within 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.

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 Office, 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.