2027 POST-BAR LAW CLERK

Childrens Law Center of California; Monterey Park (CA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 87,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee Assistance Program

Medical, Dental, Life Insurance

Retirement plan with employer match

Parental Leave

Paid time off

Flexible working environment

Job summary

Children’s Law Center of California seeks a Post-Bar Law Clerk for 2027 to support dependency court representations under supervision. The role offers the option to work in the Monterey Park or Lancaster offices and is temporary in nature.

Applicants should have a JD and be expected to sit for the California Bar in July 2027. This position emphasizes client-focused advocacy, case management, and legal research in child welfare matters.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree required and admission to the California State Bar (July 2027).
• Experience with child welfare matters or trial work is preferred but not required.
• Strong ability to communicate with children, teens, families, and caregivers.

Responsibilities

• Represent clients in dependency hearings under attorney supervision.
• Assist attorneys with case management and strategy.
• Conduct age-appropriate client interviews and prepare witnesses.
• Conduct legal research on child welfare topics.

Skills

Client communication

Case management

Interviewing minors

Legal research

Education

Juris Doctor

Job description

POSITION TITLE: POST-BAR LAW CLERK

Reports to: CLC Staff Attorney

Salary: $76,000 pro-rated to contract term

Job Snapshot

CLC is seeking passionate, skilled, and client-focused law school graduates for our 2027 Post-Bar Law Clerk Program. Under the supervision of an experienced CLC attorney, the Post-Bar Law Clerk will have the opportunity to assist in the representation of CLC’s clients in all aspects of the client’s dependency court proceedings. The Law Clerk will have the option to work at the children’s court in Monterey Park or Lancaster. This is a temporary position.

Your Impact on the Mission – Excellence in Advocacy

• Represents clients on the record in dependency hearings, under the supervision of an attorney through the PTLS certification program.
• Assist attorneys with case management and strategy.
• Conduct age-appropriate client interviews, witness preparation and communication with families and caregivers.
• Conduct legal research on child welfare and related topics.

The Assets You Possess/Essential Qualifications

• Prior experience as a CLC Law Clerk, working on child welfare matters, and /or trial experience preferred but not required.
• Interest & proficiency in working with children & youth in diverse communities.
• Ability to effectively and respectfully communicate with children, teens, their families and caregivers.
• Juris Doctor Degree & completion of the July 2027 California State Bar Examination.
• Maintain professional and effective relationships with court personnel and coworkers.
• Successful candidates will need to have a California address at the time of onboarding and be able to come into their assigned office for in-person work as needed.

Benefits and Compensation

The Post-Bar Law Clerk position offers a pro-rated salary for the temporary term. Upon successful passage of the California Bar Exam and admission to the California State Bar, and contingent on vacant positions, a favorable review by CLC management, the candidate will have the opportunity to transition into the position of Staff Attorney.

The Post-Bar Law Clerk position offers a pro-rated salary of $73,000 for the temporary term.

CLC offers an excellent benefits package for those who qualify:

Health + Wellbeing

• Employee Assistance Program
• Company-Sponsored Benefits (Medical, Dental, Life Insurance) *
• Up to 6% employer matched retirement plan*
• Generous Parental Leave + Additional Leave Options*
• Fitness/Wellness Program*
• Health Care & Dependent Day Care FSA *
• Transit + Parking Benefits *

Growth + Development

• Durfee Professional Development funds are available for all employees, in good standing, who have been with CLC for at least two years.

Flexibility + Additional

• Flexible working environment (depending on position requirements)
• Paid vacation/sick/holiday time
• CLC will pay the current year’s mandatory bar dues for all attorneys actively employed on the date bar dues are owed and who have no known plans to end employment with CLC within 30 days of the due date. CLC will also pay bar dues for new admittees who are actively employed on their initial payment due date and have no known plans to end employment with CLC within 30 days of the due date.

* Must meet eligibility requirements upon open enrollment

About CLC

CLC is the largest children’s legal services organization in the nation, advocating for tens of thousands of children and youth in Los Angeles, Sacramento, and Placer County foster care systems.

We are a powerful voice for our clients, fighting in and out of the courtroom for family reunification, permanence, educational opportunity, health and mental health services, self-sufficiency, and overall well-being. We want all of California’s children to have the support they need to succeed. We work to accomplish this goal through direct legal representation for children, multidisciplinary advocacy and support, and public policy.

CLC values diversity, equity, inclusion, and respect for all individuals in the workplace. We recognize the importance of a culturally diverse workforce across all job classifications, and encourage candidates with diverse backgrounds, lived experiences, and perspectives to apply. CLC is committed to inclusive practices in recruitment, hiring, promotion, and retention.

Equal Employment Opportunity Commitment : All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, individual with disability, medical condition, marital status, ancestry, military status, veteran status, protected veteran status, genetics or any other legally protected group status or non-job related characteristic of an individual as directed by law.

Equal Employment Opportunity Reasonable Accommodation Assistance: Children’s Law Center of California is committed to maintaining an environment of equal opportunity. If you need a reasonable accommodation to access the information provided by this organization, please contact [e-mail] further assistance regarding job postings.