Student Law Assistant - Innocence & Justice Clinic at California Western School of Law

Under the supervision of the Innocence & Justice Clinic Executive Director, the Student Law Assistant will assist with screening cases and developing cases in its pipeline. The work will consist of organizing application materials, reviewing applications and trial transcripts, ordering court records, and drafting informal post-conviction discovery requests and case memoranda.  

PLEASE NOTE: This position is limited to current California Western School of Law students, priority given to 2L law students who are interested in participating in the clinic next year. A commitment of 5 hours per week – September 15, 2025 – December 1, 2025.   In-person and flexible work hours between 8:30 am – 5:00 pm.

Primary Responsibilities (includes but not limited to):

• Organize application materials. 
• Review transcripts; bookmark transcripts with Adobe, summarize transcripts, including the use of AI technologies like CoCounsel.
• Order and review court records. 
• Request and review documents from trial and appellate defense counsel.
• Request post-conviction discovery from prosecutors. Organize and review post-conviction discovery.
• Communicate with incarcerated individuals seeking legal assistance (and their friends and family members) to gather information about potential cases. 
• Draft case memoranda for IJC staff to assist in decisions about whether to accept or reject cases.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Compensation: $20.00 per hour

APPLY NOW

Complete an application through the CWSL Career Center website at https://workforcenow.adp.com/jobs/apply/posting.html?client=35y2n&ccId=19000101_000001&type=MP&lang=en_US or visit our website at CWSL.edu and search Current Job Openings.

Applications must include the following:

• Resume
• Cover letter
• Writing Sample of at least 1000 words

About us:

Established in 1924, CWSL is an ABA accredited and AALS member, non-profit law school located in downtown San Diego, California.   CWSL has the distinction of being San Diego’s oldest law school.  CWSL is the recipient of numerous community service awards, including the State Bar of California President’s Pro Bono Service Award, and the federal government’s President’s Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll.  The law school is also home to numerous outstanding programs, including the Innocence and Justice Clinic, Community Law Project, and New Media Rights Program.  The faculty are dedicated to teaching, research, and service to the community.  Detailed information is available at https://www.cwsl.edu/

California Western School of Law is committed to using the law to prevent and solve human and societal problems. In conjunction with our mission - to train ethical, competent, and compassionate lawyers, representative of our diverse society and equipped to use the law effectively and creatively on behalf of all members of society - we value a rich diversity among our students, alumni, faculty, and staff, as well as in the larger communities of which we are a part.

The law school is an Equal Opportunity Employer dedicated to excellence through diversity. The law school provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities upon request.