Public Counsel Summer 2008

Summer Law Clerk Program 2008

Thank you for your interest in Public Counsel Law Center’s Summer Law Clerk Program for 2008. Public Counsel is the largest public interest pro bono law firm in the nation and works to serve low-income individuals, families, children and the community service nonprofits that assist them. Last year we served over 25,500 clients with the help of over 3,500 volunteer attorneys, paralegals and, of course, law students. This year looks to be even busier.

Public Counsel’s seven law projects address a broad array of legal services and offer a wide variety of educational opportunities for law students. Involvement in any of our law projects (http://www.publiccounsel.org/practice.htm) will enable you to use your skills and legal education to assist needy clients in attaining equal access to justice.

HOW TO APPLY: There are four pieces to our summer clerk application package:

  • Your completed Questionnaire (click here)
  • Your resume
  • A cover letter
  • A legal writing sample

You must send a complete application package for consideration into the program. Email is preferable and, please, send (or resend) the whole package at the same time (i.e. don’t send your resume one week and then your cover letter the next week). If you forget any single item please resend a complete package. The Summer Clerk Questionnaire (Questionnaire Link) must be sent independently but please follow up your other documents within that same day. Also, on the questionnaire, please make sure to rank your top 3 interests among our six law projects (1, 2 & 3, with 1 being your first choice).

The Public Counsel Summer Law Clerk Program is very competitive. We receive hundreds of summer clerk applications every year from law students across the country. Our application deadline is 3/2/08. However, to increase your chances of a timely consideration, we recommend that you send your materials as soon as possible. Email is the preferred application method ( ). You may also send your materials via fax (213/385-9089) or mail to:

Public Counsel Law Center
Attn: Ted Zepeda
610 So. Ardmore Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90005

2008 PROGRAM DATES: The ten-week summer law clerk program extends from Tuesday, May 27th, to the day after the Memorial Day holiday weekend - to Friday, August 1st, 2008.

FUNDING: Public Counsel has very limited funds for summer clerks. Assume that you will need to come with your own funding. Many of our law clerks have been funded through their law school's PILF or PIP programs, or through summer grants and scholarships. Many clerks have also volunteered for the entire summer and others have received course credit for their summer session at Public Counsel. See your law school’s financial aid, public interest or career services office for more information about available funding sources.

Thank you again for your interest in clerking at Public Counsel. If you have any questions, do not hesitate to contact me by at (213) 385-2977 x125 or via e-mail at .

We’re looking forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

Ted Zepeda
Pro Bono Director and Summer Program Coordinator

Public Counsel Overview
Summer Application

Public Counsel's Seven Law Projects

Appellate Law Project

Children’s Rights Project

Community Development Project

Consumer Law Project

Early Care and Education Law Project

Homelessness Prevention Law Project

Immigrants’ Rights Project

In lock-up on the Criminal Court tour

At the summer clerk retreat

Our three Immigration Law Project clerks

The clerks in our Homeless Project