Judicial Externships - Division 1

The court welcomes students from law schools around the San Diego Area and the country who choose to complement their law school coursework with judicial externships.

Applying for Judicial Externships

The Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division One offers an extern program for law students. Externs are selected by the individual justices with whom they then work for 20 to 40 hours per week during a school semester/trimester. The program, including an orientation and periodic group meetings, is administered by the Lead Appellate Court Attorney or designee acting as the Extern Coordinator. Students who participate as part of their school's extern program may earn course credit. The court's extern program is conducted during three sessions each year: Spring (January-May), Summer (June-August) and Fall (September-December).

The extern program provides law students with a clinical educational experience at the intermediate appellate level. Each student works in chambers, under supervision, in a role similar to that of a judicial staff attorney. The program offers judicial and staff accessibility and the opportunity to hone research and writing skills. To complement the practical experience, lectures are given on opinion writing and various substantive topics.

The court welcomes students from law schools around the San Diego Area and the country who choose to complement their law school coursework with judicial externships. Applications may be submitted online through the portal below, or candidates may submit a cover letter, resume, official transcript, and writing sample by mail or email.  Email applications should be addressed to Catherine Asuncion, Extern Coordinator, at Catherine.asuncion@jud.ca.gov.  Mail applications should be directed to Ms. Asuncion at Court of Appeal, Fourth District, Division One, 750 B Street, Suite 300, San Diego, California 92101.

Qualified candidates will be chosen to participate in the interview phase and selections will then be made. Letters of recommendation are not required but will be accepted.

How to Apply

The online application will ask you for:

  1. Contact Information;
  2. The session for which you wish to apply; and
  3. Supporting documents that will need to be uploaded via the online application. Materials include:
    • Cover Letter;
    • Resume;
    • School Transcript; and,
    • Writing Sample.

Tips for Navigating the Online Application

  • You will want to have all of your materials ready prior to beginning the application.
  • Do not use your browser's back or forward buttons to navigate the site; instead use the site's built-in buttons
  • Be sure to use the latest version of your preferred browser
Apply for a Judicial Externship

Applicant Requirements

Candidates for the extern program are selected from the top 20% of their class and must have completed first year law school coursework. Candidates with exceptional non-academic experience will also be considered. A minimum commitment of 20 hours per week is required. A total of 4-6 externs are usually chosen each term. Applications are due March 15th for the Fall session, October 1st for the Spring session, and February 1st for the Summer session. Adjustments will be made as needed to accommodate variations in individual school calendars.

Acknowledgements

The Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Division One gratefully acknowledges the First Appellate District and the United States District Court for the Northern District of California, whose help made this Judicial Externship Online Submission page possible.