2026 Summer Law Clerk

Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area (LCCRSF) is proud of our tradition of hosting summer clerks and semester externs, a great early step in your law career. Come join us in 2026 for a learning experience with direct service attorneys and litigators on the front lines of civil rights work. 

 

We will host a 2026 FBANC (Filipino Bar Association of Northern California) Summer Clerk as part of this cohort. Applicants with experience working with, or a demonstrated commitment to serving, the Filipino community or other historically marginalized communities are encouraged to apply. The 2026 FBANC Summer Clerk may apply to work in any of the programs listed below. 

 

About LCCRSF
 

As a leading civil rights organization on the West Coast, LCCRSF works to dismantle systems of oppression and to build an equitable, just society. Formed in 1968 to bridge the legal community and the Civil Rights Movement, we advance the rights of historically marginalized, immigrant, refugee, and low-income communities using an integrated model of direct service, advocacy, and impact litigation. Not only do we fight oppression and construct more just systems and institutions, but we grow the social justice movement by investing in legal fellows and training a network of over 1,000 active pro bono attorneys. Our community-driven work spurs statewide impact and sets national precedent. 

 

Your Work
 

Law clerks and externs are an integral part of LCCRSF. Under the supervision of a senior attorney, summer law clerks and semester externs may prepare legal memoranda, conduct legal research, perform other litigation and advocacy related legal assignments, and conduct client interviews. Law clerks and externs may have the opportunity to participate in direct legal services, impact litigation, and/or policy advocacy.
 

 

Applicants can visit our website for more information about each team’s focus areas. If you have a particular interest in a current project or issue area, please indicate that in the online application, and describe your interest in your cover letter.  

 

• The Immigrant Justice Direct Services Program works with immigrants who face significant barriers to access to justice and due process by unjust systems. The Program’s strategy provides direct representation to asylum seekers.  

• • Rising 2Ls, 2Ls, and 3Ls welcome to apply  

• • Applicants fluent in written and spoken Spanish strongly preferred 

• • Located in the San Francisco Bay Area preferred with ability to be in person occasionally. 

 

• The Immigrant Justice Impact Litigation Program engages in impact litigation to end inhuman immigrant detention. Through individual, group, and class litigation, we strive  for the release of individuals and the end of intolerable detention conditions. 

• • 3Ls and rising 3Ls strongly preferred 

• • Experience with state or federal court civil litigation preferred 

• • Clerks and externs may be located anywhere in the U.S. 

 

• The Racial Justice Program leads impact litigation and policy advocacy that directly support the people and movements fighting for an end to police brutality and violent police practices, criminalization of poverty, and governmental practices that extract wealth from low-income communities of color in the Bay Area.  

• • 3Ls and rising 3Ls only 

• • Experience with state or federal court civil litigation preferred 

• • Clerks and externs may be located anywhere in the U.S. 

 

• The Economic Justice Program advances economic justice by supporting low-income and marginalized entrepreneurs through direct legal services and advocating for policies that promote equitable, community-guided economic development. The Protecting Racial Equity project provides legal tools and support to sustain race-conscious work. 

• • Rising 2Ls, 2Ls, and 3Ls welcome to apply 

• • Located in the San Francisco Bay Area preferred with ability to be in person occasionally. 

 

Qualifications: 
 

• Current law student  

• Understanding of and commitment to LCCRSF’s mission  

• Experience and/or a demonstrated commitment to racial justice, immigrant justice, civil rights, and/or social justice organizing  

• Experience working with, or a demonstrated commitment to serving, the Filipino community or other historically marginalized communities is a plus for consideration for the 2026 FBANC Summer Clerk role   

• Relevant language skills a plus 

• See programs above for specific requirements per program 
  

Law clerks and externs may be considered in the future for post-graduate fellowships at LCCRSF

Work Schedule and Summer Stipend 

Summer law clerks are ordinarily expected to work 35 to 40 hours per week for 10 weeks. The Summer 2026 program will begin Tuesday, May 26 and conclude Friday, August 7 so that all law clerks can start and end with their cohort.  

 

Semester externs commit to 10 to 15 hours/week for 15 weeks. The Spring 2026 externship will be February–May.  

The 2026 FBANC Summer Clerk will receive a stipend of $7,500. LCCRSF will also provide a stipend of up to $7,500 for most summer clerks. Due to finite stipend funding, we are also open to applicants who bring their own funds and either do not require a stipend or only require a partial stipend from LCCRSF. LCCRSF also supports law clerks who seek externship credit in lieu of funding.  

 

Semester externs are unpaid, and must receive academic credit for the externship or demonstrate alignment with their course of study. 

 

Working Environment and Conditions 
 

The working conditions described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. While performing the duties of this position, the employee must be able to remain in a stationary position, constantly operate a computer, and must have the ability to communicate information and ideas so others will understand. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.  

To Apply
 

Positions are open until filled and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Applicants should submit 1) a thoughtful cover letter; 2) a resume; 3) short writing sample no more than 5 pages; and 4) three references using the below links: 

 

Spring 2026 Extern 

Summer 2026 Law Clerk 

 

If you are open to either spring or summer placement, apply to your first choice. There will be a place to indicate you’d like to also be considered for the other session. Applicants are encouraged to submit their materials as early as possible as decisions are made on a rolling basis. 
 

Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights of the San Francisco Bay Area thrives as an inclusive/equal opportunity employer. People of all backgrounds and walks of life are encouraged to apply.