About the role#
The Judicial Externship is a volunteer position for law students interested in the behind-the-scenes work of the legal system. This role focuses on analytical reasoning and written communication. You will work directly with judicial officers in an environment that requires self-reliance and attention to detail. Please note that this is an unpaid externship. To avoid conflicts of interest, externs are generally prohibited from outside employment with law firms, the district attorney, the public defender, or county counsel during the program.
What you'll do#
- Draft objective memoranda covering civil, criminal, family law, and juvenile matters.
- Perform legal research across a variety of case types.
- Review and prepare tentative rulings for Law and Motion Calendars.
What you'll need#
- Current enrollment in law school.
- A completed online application and supplemental questions.
- A cover letter and resume.
- Current school transcripts in PDF format.
- A writing sample of at least five pages, written and edited solely by you.
Location & details#
- Term: Spring 2027.
- Modality: On-site.
- Locations: Santa Ana, Orange, Newport Beach, Fullerton, and Westminster, California.
About Orange County Superior Court
The Superior Court of California, County of Orange, operates as the fifth largest trial court in the nation. Established in 1889, the organization manages over 500,000 case filings annually for a population exceeding 3 million people. The court maintains five justice centers across eight locations in Orange County. It employs over 1,500 people who support functions ranging from legal research and family mediation to information technology and accounting.
How to get in at Orange County Superior Court
Securing a position at the Orange County Superior Court requires speed, as many government roles fill quickly once they appear. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published, which helps you apply among the first. Getting your application in early ensures your materials are reviewed before the pile grows into a backlog for the hiring team. You can also improve your response rates by reaching out to the recruiters behind these roles directly to ask about the position or a potential referral. Intern Insider surfaces these specific contacts, allowing you to bypass the general queue and connect with the people actually managing the hiring process.
