Court Programs

Applying for Judicial Externships

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

Fall & Winter/Spring Externships

Law school credit is earned for successful completion of fall and spring externships.  Hiring takes place in March and April for fall externships and in September and October for spring externships.  There are no deadlines for applying or for hiring; extern hiring continues until all positions are filled.  The requirements of individual law schools as well as Justices’ chambers vary, so careful planning is advised.

Summer Externships

Law school credit is generally not awarded for summer externships.  While the court does not compensate summer externs, funding is available through some law schools.

How to Apply

The online application will ask you for:
  1. Contact Information;
  2. The session for which you wish to apply;
  3. The Justice for whom you would like to work; and.
  4. Supporting documents that will need to be uploaded via the online application. Mail and email submissions are no longer accepted unless requested by chambers. Note: You will want to review individual Justices’ specific requirements below for applicant qualifications and application materials.  Specifics are also noted in the online application. Materials include:
    • Cover Letter;
    • Resume;
    • School Transcript;
    • Writing Sample; and,
    • Optional References.

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
  • If you encounter any issues while submitting your application, please email 1DC-ComputerSupport@jud.ca.gov

Apply for a Judicial Externship

Applicant Requirements

Qualifications and application materials by Justice and Division

Division One

Justice Sandra Margulies

Considers those who have finished one or two years of law school
Deadline:
No set deadline for applications, but earlier better than later
Required Documents:
  • cover letter
  • resume
  • transcript
  • writing sample
  • references

Justice Kathleen Banke

Considers those who have finished one or two years of law school
Deadline:
No set deadline for applications, but preferably by end of February for summer externships and beginning of June for fall externships
Required Documents:
  • cover letter
  • resume
  • transcript
  • writing sample
  • references optional

Division Three

Presiding Justice Alison Tucher

Considers those who have finished one or two years of law school
Deadline:
No set deadline for applications, but earlier better than later
Required Documents:
  • cover letter
  • resume
  • transcript (or informal printout from school website)
  • writing sample

Justice Carin Fujisaki

Prefers students who have completed two years of law school

Deadline:
No set deadline for applications, but earlier better than later
Required Documents:
  • cover letter
  • resume
  • transcript
  • writing sample
  • references are desirable but optional

Justice Victor Rodriguez

Considers those who have completed at least one year of law school 
Deadline:
No set deadline for applications, but earlier better than later
Required Documents:
  • cover letter
  • resume
  • transcript or informal printout from school website
  • writing sample

Division Four

Justice Jon Streeter

Considers those who have finished one or two years of law school
Deadline:
Submit summer term applications by March 1; fall term applications by July 1; spring term applications by November 1
Required Documents:
  • cover letter
  • resume
  • transcript (or informal printout from school website)
  • writing sample
  • references

Justice Tracie L. Brown

Considers those who have finished one or two years of law school
Deadline:
No set deadline for applications, but earlier better than later
Required Documents:
  • cover letter
  • resume
  • transcript (or informal printout from school website)
  • writing sample
  • references

Acknowledgements

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