Resume Building

Legal Clinics

If your legal resume is looking a little bare, take immediate action! Bolster your resume, while making professional contacts, by volunteering at a local legal clinic. You’ll gain valuable hands-on experience in the legal field; under-funded non-profits will receive much needed assistance with their case load. It’s a win-win!

Clinics hosted by McGeorge

McGeorge hosts several legal clinics, many of which are located on campus. Most McGeorge clinics have a lecture or seminar component, and students who complete the required volunteer hours and academic assignments  receive units for their participation in the clinic. For more information about specific clinics, click on the corresponding link below. To view general information about the legal clinics at McGeorge and how to apply, click here. (Note: these clinics are generally only open to 2Ls and 3Ls)

Local Clinics Not Affiliated with McGeorge
  • VLSP Employment Law Clinic (1L-3L)
Students interns interview and advise clients from Sacramento, Yolo and surrounding counties under the supervision of staff and volunteer attorneys. Students may also have the opportunity to represent clients in EDD administrative hearings. The clinic is held weekly on Thursday evenings beginning at 6:00 p.m. For more information about the services the clinic provides, click here. The clinic accepts applications three times a year- for its fall, spring and summer sessions. The PLSS Board will notify members when VLSP is accepting applications or interested students may email the internship coordinator directly at vciganda@vlsp.org. 
VLSP also hosts clinics that aid clients with legal issues such as: expungement, driver’s license reinstatement, guardianship, bankruptcy, and debt collection. To learn more about how to volunteer at one of these clinics, visit their website at http://www.vlsp.org/.
  • Equal Justice Works Landlord-Tenant Clinic (1L-3L)

Students gain practical legal experience interviewing clients, assessing the merits of cases, and preparing pleadings, while also providing an invaluable service to indigent clients facing issues such as eviction and housing discrimination. To participate in the clinic you  must attend a one-day Landlord-Tenant Training session which is generally offered on campus at the beginning of the fall semester. Your PLSS Board will inform you when the clinic holds its next training session.

Volunteers are expected to work at least one 3.5 hour shift per week and commit two semesters to the clinic. Clinic hours are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday from 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.   If you have questions regarding this clinic, please direct them to lroberts@one-justice.org.  To begin the application process, email justicebus@one-justice.org and include “LSNC” in the subject line.  Please provide: (1) Your year in school; (2) Your three preferred clinic shifts; (3) Your phone number; and (4) any foreign language skills you may have. Students are encouraged to apply as soon as the yearly application is released, as this is one of the few clinic opportunities available to 1Ls and spots fill up fast. 

 

  • Regional Human Rights and Fair Housing Commission Clinic (HRFH)

HRFH is a non-profit organization that provides free legal information about housing and discrimination issues through an onsite clinic and Landlord/Tenant Hotline. In addition to providing information, student volunteers occasionally perform mediations between landlords and tenants and assist walk-ins with legal questions. Hours are flexible and include mornings and/or afternoons, Monday-Friday.

Law student volunteers are unpaid, but work study credits may be available for students who qualify. In addition, this program would qualify for the PLSS Summer Grant. (For more information about how to find financial assistance for an unpaid position, check out our “Fellowships & Grants” page.)

Questions and resumes may be directed to Betty Gwiazdon, Director of Program Services at: bgwiazdon@hrfh.org. To learn more about the services provided by HRFH visit their website at www.hrfh.org.

 

  •  LSNC Clinics in the Northern California and the Sacramento Region

LSNC has several special programs targeting particular needs of low-income clients, including its regional Health Rights Hotline, Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program andOmbudsman Services of Northern California programs; local-office Senior Legal Assistance Programs and statewide Senior Legal Hotline; a multi-state Pension Assistance Project.

Find out more about LSNC, including their calendar of events, recent news items, special services, employment and volunteer opportunities, and how to contribute support to LSNC’s vital work on behalf of the low-income community, by visiting their website here: LSNC.Info.

 

  • DFEH Civil Rights Clinic and Summer Intnership

The California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH)  has establish a new employment discrimination law program. Law students at the clinic will receive instruction and hands-on training in tools, such as class action lawsuits, to combat systematic discrimination. The program introduces students to civil rights law, while also benefiting members of the public by assisting them in the resolution of civil rights claims.

Students in the summer internship program work closely with DFEH attorneys on an 10 week-long project relating to civil rights law.  An optional academic clinical program for credit follows during the school year. To learn more about this program or to request application information contact: Annmarie Billotti at 916-478-7247, or annmarie.billotti@dfeh.ca.gov.

 

  • New On-Campus Family Law Clinic, “One Day, One Divorce”

The newly formed McGeorge Family Law Society has joined forces with McGeorge faculty and Sacramento Superior Court Family Law Judges to create an on-campus family law clinic serving the Oak Park community. The clinic is projected to open its doors at the beginning of the Spring 2013 semester and is currently looking for law student volunteers to conduct intake and help clients complete paperwork. If you would like to join the Family Law Society or sign-up for the clinic, email a_salmon1@u.pacific.edu.

 

  • Justice Bus Trips with One Justice
Meet face-to-face with people who need your assistance, get real world experience interviewing clients, and help individuals resolve their legal issues. Trips are usually overnight to rural locations in Northern California (One Justice provides transportation and accomodations). To learn more about the next Justice Bus Trip, check out the flyer: Justice Bus Trip to Mendocino and Lake Counties. To sign-up to participate, email Lauren Roberts at lroberts@one-justice.org. 

Externships & Field Placement

Why wait to practice law until after graduation when you can start now? Pacific McGeorge’s Field Placement Program lets you earn law school credit while performing supervised legal work as an extern at nearly 100 approved government agencies & non-profit entities. As an extern, you’ll have the opportunity to apply your analytical skills, develop your legal knowledge, explore potential careers and build your professional network.  

How to Apply:

  1. Download the Field Placement Student Handbook (lists information about government entities and non-profits that have a pre-existing relationship with McGeorge). Decide where you’re interested in externing. If the agency is not listed, speak with a CDO advisor to see if it would qualify for academic credit.
  2. Email Denai at  Sacexternships@pacific.edu to determine the last day to submit a resume for the agencies you are interested in. Most agencies only accept applications twice a year- for the fall and spring semesters.
  3. Log onto TWEN and add the Externship Office page. Check out the application requirements and instructions for the agencies/organizations that you’re interested in. 
  4. Apply!