Summer Law Clerk, Health Program

Who We Are 

The Law Foundation of Silicon Valley (“Law Foundation”) is dedicated to advancing the rights of historically excluded individuals and families throughout Santa Clara County. Through our legal services, strategic advocacy, and educational outreach, we empower over 10,000 individuals and families each year. Our Housing, Children & Youth, Health and Pro Bono Programs use legal advocacy as a catalyst for social change, creating innovative solutions to the legal challenges facing low-income communities in our region. With a dedicated team of over 85 employees, we are the largest provider of free legal services in the South Bay region of the Bay Area. Learn more at https://www.lawfoundation.org/ . 

The Opportunity 

We are excited to offer an opportunity for a Summer Law Clerk to join our Health Program at Law Foundation. The Health Program provides free legal advice and representation to individuals living in Santa Clara County who identify as having predominantly mental health conditions, among other disabilities. We also provide free legal help to people experiencing economic instability and provide services through medical-legal partnerships and other geographically based funded programs. We are able to change these individuals’ lives by securing public benefits to which they are entitled, allowing some to go from chronically unhoused to housed and economically stable.  

What You’ll Do 

As a Summer Law Clerk you will: 

• Work on mental health and disability-related issues, including public benefits, mental health patients’ rights, and other health equity topics. 
• Conduct written, telephone, and in-person correspondence with clients and local agencies. 
• Conduct legal research and writing to support client cases and community advocacy projects.  
• Conduct client intake and interviewing. 
• Prepare legal drafting, including letters, forms, and hearing briefs. 
• Represent clients at an Administrative Law Judge hearing, as needed. 
• Host presentations, as needed. 
• Advise clients on Social Security, public benefits, and other poverty-related issues to help clients achieve economic justice and receive entitled benefits. 
• Respond to referrals and requests for technical assistance from community-based organizations. 
• Assist with administrative tasks such as data entry, as needed. 
• Participate in Law Foundation activities, such as program meetings, special events, and fundraisers. 
• Attend community lawyering and outreach events with underserved populations, including communities of color, LGBTQIA+ community, immigrant/refugee communities, individuals living with HIV/AIDS and/or mental health disabilities, unstably housed individuals, people using drugs, and system-impacted individuals, in line with the Law Foundation’s Race Equity Inclusion principles. 
• Collaborate with internal teams to ensure a seamless and people-centered approach to service delivery. 

Job Requirements 

• Law student 
• Ability to identify, investigate, and resolve client problems. 
• Ability to analyze, write and present ideas clearly and concisely. 
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team. 
• Have a passion for social justice and race equity. 
• Ability to treat mental health consumers and/or persons with other disabilities with dignity and respect. 
• Connections to and experience working with communities of color and people living with disabilities. 
• Basic computer proficiency and willingness to learn new technology as needed.  
• Willingness and ability to work as part of a team. 
• Interest or passion for community-driven advocacy and policy advocacy. 
• Committed to racial equity, inclusion and belonging and able recognize the ways that race, and other identities intersect in the work, especially for communities we serve 
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, or capacity to pick up new computer skills 
• Education: 1st or 2nd year law school student. 

What We Offer 

This is a full-time, exempt position, reporting to the Supervising Attorney for the Health program. The compensation for this role is Academic credit or a potential stipend.

Workplace Expectations 

Law Foundation is a hybrid workplace. Please note that the Summer Law Clerk may be expected to work in our San Jose office a minimum of 2 days/week.   

Employees must be California State residents. Due to logistical challenges regarding taxes, insurance, and time zones, we are not able to consider staff in other states at this time. 

Working At Law Foundation 

Law Foundation is a unionized workplace, and members of the bargaining unit are represented by SEIU Local 521. This position is part of the bargaining unit.  

Additionally, Law Foundation is strongly committed to building a culturally diverse workplace centered on equity and providing an inclusive, welcoming, and culturally responsive environment for our staff, volunteers, clients, and partners. To achieve this goal, the Law Foundation actively works to improve communications, community engagement, systems and structures, and office culture to create an inclusive and respectful workplace where differences are acknowledged and valued. 

We strongly encourage individuals from traditionally underrepresented communities to apply. Law Foundation is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, religious creed, sex, gender, gender expression, gender identity, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, prior contact with the criminal legal system, or any other basis prohibited by law. 

Application Process 

Application materials must include: 

• A cover letter that addresses the following: How has your personal background or experiences, professional or otherwise, prepared you to contribute to social justice, race equity and diversity among our staff? 
• A resume 
• Contact information for three professional references. We will always ask for your consent and inform you before contacting any of your references.  

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Priority review will be given to applications received by 5/20/2025. Please note that our interview process includes interviewing by phone, video, and/or in-person. 

If you are passionate about making a difference and want to be part of a team that values people, trust, accountability, creativity, joy, and fun, we would love to hear from you!