Closing Date: 1st September, 2026
Description:
Description:Casual Employment Opportunity
The position opens Tuesday, August 4, 2026, and the final filing date is Tuesday September 1, 2026, at 5:00 pm or after receiving 100 qualified and complete applications, whichever is first.
Duration/Schedule: 25 hours/week (up to 900 hours per fiscal year), following graduation from law school and completion of bar examination. Flexible, hybrid schedule (in office and remote based on operationaI needs)
The Legal Fellow is a temporary, paid position designed for recent law school graduates who have completed the bar examination and are awaiting bar admission or are newly admitted to practice. The position is designed to provide fellows with practical, hands-on experience in municipal law under the supervision of experienced attorneys, while supporting the legal needs of a small city attorney's office.
The Fellow will work under the direct supervision of the City Attorney and designated Senior Assistant and Assistant City Attorneys. Work will include shadowing and assisting attorneys with routine legal work including but not limited to legal research, drafting, contract review, public records review and responses, and advising City departments. This position is intended as a training opportunity and will emphasize professional development through attorney review and supervision of the Fellow's work, feedback and coaching, exposure to a range of municipal legal issues, opportunities to attend internal and public meetings, and increasing responsibility as skills develop. The ideal candidate will be a self-starter with strong communication and legal analysis skills, the ability to work independently and take ownership, and an interest in municipal law.
The fellow can expect to experience the following: assigning attorney supervision, discussions of legal issues and strategy as it relates to assignments; inclusion in meetings to observe attorney-client discussions and decision-making; defined expectations and establishment of deadlines; prompt review of work; constructive feedback, regular check-ins; increasing complexity and independence of assignments as experience is gained.
Essential Job Functions:
(May include, but are not limited to, the following):
- Conduct legal research on municipal, constitutional, administrative, employment, land use, open meetings, public records, procurement, and other areas of local government law.
- Draft legal memoranda, ordinances, resolutions, contracts, and similar legal documents.
- Assist with responses to public records requests
- Review proposed policies and procedures for legal compliance
- Support attorneys in advising City departments and staff on legal matters (shadow attorneys at meetings, etc.)
- Draft presentations, training materials, and updates for City staff
- Observe hearings, negotiations, public meetings, and similar proceedings to gain practical experience
- Perform other duties consistent with the educational and skills goals of the fellowship
Working Conditions:
Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting and stooping in the performance of daily activities. The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement and fine coordination in using a computer keyboard. Additionally, the position requires near and far vision in reading written reports and work related documents and using a computer. Acute hearing is required when providing phone and personal customer service. The need to lift, drag and push files, paper, books and documents weighing up to 25 pounds is also required. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodation.
Minimum Qualifications:
- J.D. from an ASA-accredited law school
- Completion of a state bar examination (California preferred)
- Excellent legal research, writing, analytical skills
- Strong verbal, interpersonal, and written communication skills
- Ability to take initiative, manage multiple assignments, and meet deadlines
- Demonstrated professionalism, sound judgment, and attention to detail
Desirable Qualifications:
- Coursework, experience, or demonstrated interest in municipal/public sector law
- Internship or clinical experience developing practical law skills and effective communication
- Strong legal research skills and persuasive writing abilities
- Ability to take initiative, work independently, and commitment to learning and improvement
- Experience using Westlaw, Microsoft Office programs
- Maintain confidentiality; exercise professional judgment
- Take ownership of assigned projects (think critically, research new issues, ask thoughtful questions, meet deadlines, effectively manage time)
- Comfortable working remotely (Teams, Zoom) with coworkers and clients
- The Fellow will be given substantive legal work whenever possible, with review and supervision by the assigning attorney. Examples of assignments may include:
- Legal research questions and written summaries or legal memoranda
- Drafting ordinances and resolutions
- Contract and policy review and drafting
- Support for public records act requests and review of documents potentially responsive to public records requests
- Developing training materials for staff and assisting attorneys with trainings
- Attending client meetings
- Special projects as assigned
If you are interested in this outstanding opportunity, you must complete the following steps.
- Submit a completed City of Sunnyvale application packet, which consists of:
- City of Sunnyvale Employment Application.
- Supplemental Questionnaire.
- Cover letter explaining interest in this position
- Resume
- Writing sample
- Law school transcript
- Letter of recommendation (optional)
Application Instructions & Process
The Application Submitted Must Meet the Minimum Qualifications Listed in The Job Description in Order to Move Forward in The Recruitment Process with The City of Sunnyvale. the Information Provided in The Work Experience, Education, and Certificates/licenses Sections of The Application Will Be Used to Determine if The Application Meets the Minimum Qualifications. a Resume, Employment History Provided Elsewhere in The Application, or Other Attachments Will Not Be Accepted in Lieu of The Completed Application.
Note: The Minimum Qualifications for Experience Are Based on Full-Time Experience (40 Hours per Week). Experience Included in The Work Experience Section of The Application Is Calculated to The Full-Time Equivalent (hours Are Pro-Rated if Less than 40 Hours/week). Volunteer Experience Is Not Considered Qualifying Experience.
If You Are Interested in This Opportunity, Please Submit a City of Sunnyvale Employment Application and Responses to The Supplemental Questions to The Department of Human Resources. Interested Candidates Are Encouraged to Apply as Soon as Possible as The Posting Will Close After Receiving 100 Qualified and Complete Applications or By Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 5:00pm, Whichever Is First.
Candidates Are Asked to Fully Describe Any Training, Education, Experience, or Skills Relevant to This Position. Electronic Applications May Be Submitted Online Through the City's Employment Page at Sunnyvale.Ca.Gov and Click on Jobs. Late or Incomplete Applications Will Not Be Accepted.
Selection Process:
Applications Competitively Screened Based on The Minimum Qualifications of This Position. Based upon A Review of The Application Materials, Qualified Candidate Applications Will Be Forwarded to The Hiring Department for Review. Application Materials Will Be Evaluated for Job-Related Skills, Experience, and Education. the Most Qualified Applicants Will Be Invited to Participate in An Interview.
Any Candidate that Is Selected by The Hiring Department Will Be Required to Successfully Complete a Pre-Employment Process, Which May Consist of A Background History Check, as Well as A Medical Exam(s) Administered by A City Selected Physician(s) Before Hire. Prior to Starting Work, All Newly-Hired Employees Will Be Fingerprinted to Check Conviction History. a Conviction History Will Not Necessarily Disqualify an Applicant from Appointment; However, Failure to Disclose Conviction History Will Result in Refusal of Employment or Termination. Positions Which Are Covered by The Department of Transportation Regulations Are Required to Submit to A Pre-Employment Drug Test and To Random Drug and Alcohol Testing.
Information About Proof of Education
Any Successful Candidate, Selected by The Hiring Department Will Be Required to Submit Proof of Education (i.E. Original Copy of The Diploma or College/university Transcripts). a Candidate with Education Obtained Outside the United States Must Have Education Records Evaluated by A Credential Evaluation Service at The Candidate's Expense to Determine Its Equivalency in The United States. Candidates May Utilize Any Third-Party Agency for The Evaluation. if You Search ‘education Equivalency Verification' o