Law Clerk

Join the California Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District, as a Law Clerk where your work directly shapes California law. This position combines administrative excellence with legal analysis, supporting central staff attorneys working on appellate opinions. You’ll collaborate directly with the managing attorney on workers’ compensation disputes, criminal appeals, and precedent-setting legal research. Gain invaluable experience in appellate practice and contributing to justice for workers, employers, and criminal defendants throughout Southern California.

Duties

Editorial & Administrative Foundation

• Refine appellate opinions that define California law through meticulous proofreading for accuracy, clarity, and California Style Manual compliance.
• Verify facts by reviewing trial court records, administrative hearing transcripts, and exhibits.
• Edit court orders and other judicial documents.
• Provide administrative support in California’s biggest appellate district

Legal Research & Citation Verification

• Execute legal research using Westlaw and Lexis databases to verify authority
• Authenticate citations for accuracy, currency, and proper formatting
• Track statutory and regulatory changes impacting pending decisions

Growth Opportunities

• Screen workers’ compensation writs and criminal appeals, identifying case-dispositive legal issues
• Advance to collaborative memorandum drafting, analyzing briefs and applying appellate standards of review

Professional Excellence

• Master competing priorities and deadlines in appellate workflow
• Demonstrate collegiality, curiosity, and strong work ethic for engaging with complex legal issues with managing attorney and central staff attorneys
• Support additional legal research, administrative projects, and special assignments as directed

This position is perfect for curious, detail-oriented legal professionals ready to master both administrative excellence and substantive legal analysis while directly influencing California appellate law.

Salary

• $6,059 - $7,362/month

Qualifications

Admission to the State Bar of California and one (1) year of administrative, clerical, or legal secretarial experience.

Participation in the California Provisional Bar Licensing Program may be substituted for Admission to the State Bar of California per the terms and conditions and within the time frame of that program.

Licenses and Certificates:

• Admission to the State Bar of California.

Admission to the State Bar of California. (Applicants who have not been admitted to the State Bar of California but who have graduated from law school may receive consideration for hiring as a Graduate Legal Assistant). Familiarity with citation form recommended by the California Style Manual is preferred.

How to Apply

To apply online, please click the Apply for Job button.

The following items are required.

• Completed online application
• Cover letter
• Resume 
• Writing Sample
• Law School Transcript (unofficial is acceptable)

For earliest consideration, please apply by September 19, 2025, and include all required items listed above. The position will remain open until it is filled.

Benefits

• Health/Dental/Vision benefits program
• 14 paid holidays per calendar year
• Choice of Annual Leave or Sick/Vacation Leave
• 1 personal holiday per year
• Up to $130 per month reimbursement for qualifying commuting costs
• CalPERS Retirement Plan
• 401(k) and 457 deferred compensation plans
• Employee Assistance Program
• Basic Life and AD&D Insurance
• FlexElect Program
• Long Term Disability Program (employee paid/optional)
• Group Legal Plan (employee paid/optional)

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Court of Appeal, Second Appellate District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.