Summer 2024 Internship Program for Juvenile Dependency Lawyers and Law Firms, RFI-CFCC23-158RB

Summer 2024 Internship Program for Juvenile Dependency Lawyers and Law Firms, RFI-CFCC23-158RB

The Judicial Council of California (JCC), chaired by the Chief Justice of California, is the chief policy making agency of the California judicial system. The California Constitution directs the JCC to improve the administration of justice by surveying judicial business, recommending improvements to the courts, and making recommendations annually to the Governor and the Legislature. The JCC also adopts rules for court administration, practice and procedure, and performs functions prescribed by law.

The Center for Families, Children and the Courts (CFCC) of the JCC is tasked to maximize access to and effectiveness of court services for children, families, victims of violence, limited English speakers, and self-represented litigants. The CFCC is committed to increasing the attorney pool dedicated to the practice of juvenile dependency law and providing quality legal representation to children and families.

The CFCC is exploring funding a program to increase law students’ exposure to juvenile dependency law in hopes of developing interest in the field. The program is also intended to provide law students’ assistance to providers in geographically diverse areas of the state including rural and suburban areas with limited access to law students. This internship program funds interns for 240 to 400 hours of work at the state minimum wage, at a minimum. The purpose of this RFI is to determine interest from juvenile dependency court appointed counsel providers in participating in a pilot program that would allow law firms to mentor first or second-year law school students, who would intern in their law practice.

You are invited to respond with information to assist the JCC in identifying prospective juvenile dependency court appointed counsel providers who might be interested in participating in the JCC law student summer intern program. Responses will only be accepted from dependency providers currently participating in the Federally Funded Dependency Representation Program (FFDRP), or receiving Court-Appointed Counsel (CAC) funds through the Dependency Representation Administration Funding, and Training (DRAFT). The court-appointed dependency counsel provider can be a firm or individual. The firm or manager of the intern project must have at least 7 years of legal experience and at least 5 years of legal experience in juvenile dependency law; five years of legal experience may be substituted if the attorney is a child welfare law specialist accredited by the National Association of Council for Children certified by the state bar of California.

Electronic copy proposals must be emailed to solicitations@jud.ca.gov. RESPONSES DUE: NOVEMBER 3, 2023, FRIDAY, NO LATER THAN 2:00 P.M. PACIFIC TIME