Get Hands-On Experience
Summer Jobs & Internships
Employers expect you to use each summer to build your legal skills. Summer is a chance to explore different areas of law, use your legal training, and develop new legal and professional skills. Students can work with a wide range of employers and the Office of Career Services is available to help with every step, including identifying opportunities, connecting you with alumni and other contacts in the legal community, reviewing application materials, conducting interview preparation, and discussing how to negotiate an offer. Opportunities are available in the Bay Area, across the country, and abroad. To learn more about options to get hands-on experience while earning academic credit, check out the USF Law Externship Program and the Clinical Programs.
My Career Services counselor knew I was passionate about litigation and suggested I apply to the district attorney's office during the fall on-campus recruiting. She worked with me to review my resume and conducted a practice interview with me. Ultimately, the Office of Career Services helped me secure my summer position in the Contra Costa District Attorney's Office."
JAMES LOGAN '17Worked at the Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office During His 2L Summer
Part-Time/School Year Jobs
For full-time students, getting a part-time job or internship during the second or third year is a great way to explore different areas of law, use your legal training, and develop new legal and professional skills. Students can work with a huge range of employers and the Office of Career Services is available to help with every step, including identifying opportunities, connecting you with alumni and other contacts in the legal community, reviewing application materials, conducting interview preparation, and discussing how to negotiate accept or decline an offer.
For part-time students, getting a legal job or internship depends on the individual situation. Some part-time students work full-time throughout law school at a non-legal job and then transition to a legal job after school. Some work a part-time or full-time job in a legal setting for part of their time earning their JD. The Office of Career Services is eager to help you design the plan that works best for your current needs and future goals.
Pro Bono & Volunteer Work
One of the best ways to help build your own legal skills is to do good for others. At USF School of Law, there are an abundance of opportunities to get practical experience and help serve underrepresented and underserved communities.
We partner with OneJustice to offer exciting pro bono opportunities. Sign up for the Pro Bono Newsletter and find out about Justice Bus trips, opportunities to volunteer at legal clinics, and other programs in immigration law, consumer law, and a myriad of other practice areas.
On-Campus Recruitment
During On-Campus Recruitment (OCR), employers recruit students and conduct interviews on campus for summer, semester, and post-graduation jobs. Employers participate in OCR, including large law firms, high-profile government agencies, such as public defender and district attorney offices, and well-regarded nonprofits. The Office of Career Services guides you through each step, from drafting polished application materials to preparing you for your interviews.
Job Postings
On 12Twenty and our private LinkedIn current student group page, USF law students have access to a huge number of job postings for summer, semester, and post-graduation jobs. You’ll find jobs at law firms, companies, government agencies, nonprofits, and more.
Reciprocity Policy
Reciprocity is available to graduates and second or third year students of any ABA-accredited law school that allows University of San Francisco School of law graduates and students to use its career resources. For details regarding on-site and remote privileges and requesting access, see our Reciprocity Policy.
Please note that we do not grant reciprocity requests from August 1st through October 1st to accommodate our on-campus recruitment program.