Description:

About the Position:
The County of Riverside Office of the District Attorney is currently recruiting post-bar law clerks (Law Clerk II) for the Spring and Fall of 2026, with the possibility for applicants to ultimately become entry-level prosecutors upon successfully passing the California Bar Exam in 2026. Incumbents will perform legal research and provide legal assistance in support of licensed attorneys, and perform other related duties as required.

Positions are available throughout the Riverside County, with special consideration being given to filling priority vacancies in the Coachella Valley Office and the Colorado River Office. Incumbents in this position are expected to work approximately a 40-hour work week.

This position is primarily open to students who are enrolled or are currently in their final year of law school in an accredited Juris Doctorate (JD) program or in an accredited Master of Law (LLM) program, or who graduated no later than 2024 from an accredited JD or LLM program, and are first-time testers who are expecting to take or are awaiting results for the California State Bar Exam scheduled in either February or July of 2026.

Depending on the area of assignment, the Law Clerk II is a natural progression underfill for the classifications of Deputy District Attorney I. Incumbents are expected to promote to the Deputy District Attorney I after obtaining the necessary requirements. Failure to promote will result in incumbents being returned to their former County classification or new hires being released prior to the end of their probationary period.

Meet the Team!
The District Attorney of Riverside County (https://rivcoda.org/), as the public prosecutor acting on behalf of the People, vigorously enforces the law, pursues the truth, protects those victimized by crime, exonerates the innocent, and safeguards the rights of all to ensure that justice is done on behalf of our community. The office's staff of over 700 is comprised of prosecuting attorneys, sworn investigators, victim-witness advocates, paralegals, investigative technicians, forensic analysts, and a wide range of information technology and supporting staff all committed to excellence and integrity in public service. We are, and we seek to maintain, a diverse workforce to match a diverse county.

Contact:
Examples of Essential Duties
  • Perform legal research in the preparation of legal briefs, opinions, and similar documents.
  • Prepare drafts and legal memoranda summarizing studies of court decisions, state statutes, County Ordinances, and legal opinions, review pleadings, deeds, and contracts.
  • Review documentary evidence and prepare opinions; prepare correspondence and reports.
  • Assist with case preparation including, but not limited to witness contact, victim contact, evidence preparation.
  • Attend and appear on the record in court.
  • Prepare motions; work in the case management system; and assist with other case-related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:
Option I
Education
: Students who are enrolled or are currently in their final year of law school in an accredited Juris Doctorate (JD) program or in an accredited Master of Law (LLM) program, or who graduated no later than 2024 from an accredited JD or LLM program.

Exam: First-time testers who are expecting to take, or awaiting results for, the California State Bar Exam scheduled in either February or July of 2026.

Option II
Education
: Students who are enrolled or are currently in their final year of law school in an accredited Juris Doctorate (JD) program or in an accredited Master of Law (LLM) program, or who graduated no later than 2024 from an accredited JD or LLM program.

Exam: First-time testers who are expecting to take, or awaiting results for, the California State Bar Exam scheduled in either February or July of 2026.

Certificate: Applicants must be eligible to obtain a Certificate for Practical Training of Law Students from the California Board of Bar Examiners.

Option III
Education
: Students who are enrolled or are currently in their final year of law school in an accredited Juris Doctorate (JD) program or in an accredited Master of Law (LLM) program, or who have graduated from an accredited JD or LLM program.

Exam: Testers who are expecting to take, or awaiting results for, the California State Bar Exam scheduled in either February or July of 2026.

Experience: Previous intern or Law Clerk with the County of Riverside Office of the District Attorney, or current active bar license in another jurisdiction.

Other Requirements:
License: Must be eligible to obtain a valid California Driver's License.

Knowledge of: Principles of civil and criminal law and their application; legal research methods and techniques; preparation of briefs and opinions; resources available in a law library; trial and hearing procedures and rules of evidence; county government functions and legal responsibilities.

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; work cooperatively with others.

Desired Experience, Knowledge, Abilities: Knowledge of discovery obligations as a prosecutor and the process of obtaining and disclosing discovery in a timely manner; ability to prepare and organize extensive legal discovery, evidence, and exhibits to be presented in court; ability and skill to prepare and conduct preliminary hearings; ability and skill to present misdemeanor trials to a jury or judge and argue contested motions; ability to devise trial strategy, recognize factual, ethical, and legal issues in a case; ability to negotiate with defense attorneys regarding the disposition and modification of charges in a case.

Supplemental Information:
Contact:
For more information regarding this position, please contact the recruiter, Stephanie Rodriguez, at (951) 955-5776 or via email at sterodriguez@rivco.org.

Application Information
Veteran's Preference
The County Has a Veterans Preference Policy Applicable to New Hires. to Qualify, Upload a Copy of Your (or Your Spouse's) Member-4 Form Dd-214 Indicating Dates of Service, and A Copy of Your Spouse's Letter of Disability (if Applicable) with Your Application. for Privacy Reasons, It Is Recommended that You Remove Your Social Security Information from The Document(s). a Human Resources Representative Will Review the Materials and Determine if You Qualify for Veterans' Preference. the Veterans Preference Policy, C-3 Is Available Here: Https://rivcocob.Org/board-Policies

Reasonable Accommodations:
The County of Riverside Is Committed to Providing Reasonable Accommodation to Applicants as Required by The Americans with Disabilities Act (ada) and Fair Employment and Housing Act (feha). Qualified Individuals with Disabilities Who Need a Reasonable Accommodation During the Application or Selection Process Should Contact the Recruiter for The Position Noted Above. for Additional Information And/or to Obtain the Appropriate Form for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation, Please Visit the Disability Access Office Web Page Located At: Https://rc-Hr.Com/disability

Proof of Education
If Using Education to Qualify or When Requested by The Recruiter, Upload a Copy of Any License(s), Official/unofficial Transcript(s), Degrees, And/or Related Employment Documents to Your Neo Gov Account at The Time of Application and Before the Closing Date. Official or Unofficial Transcripts Will Be Accepted.

If Your Education Was Completed Outside of The United States, You Will Need to Provide a Copy of Your Foreign Education Equivalency Evaluation from A Member of The National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (naces) (https://myiee.org/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0_yAgdrN6wIVWx-tBh1wxQkOEAAYASAAEgJ8VfD_BwE) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (aice). (https://aice-eval.org/)