Legal Fellow (Post-Bar)

id="details-info" class="tab-pane active fr-view" style="margin:2px"> Description Casual Employment Opportunity The position opens Tuesday, August 4, 2026, and the final filing date is Tuesday September 1, 2026, at 5:00 pm or after receiving 100 qualified and complete applications, whichever is first. Duration/Schedule: 25 hours/week (up to 900 hours per fiscal year), following graduation from law school and completion of bar examination.

Flexible, hybrid schedule (in office and remote based on operationaI needs) The Legal Fellow is a temporary, paid position designed for recent law school graduates who have completed the bar examination and are awaiting bar admission or are newly admitted to practice. The position is designed to provide fellows with practical, hands-on experience in municipal law under the supervision of experienced attorneys, while supporting the legal needs of a small city attorney's office.

The Fellow will work under the direct supervision of the City Attorney and designated Senior Assistant and Assistant City Attorneys. Work will include shadowing and assisting attorneys with routine legal work including but not limited to legal research, drafting, contract review, public records review and responses, and advising City departments.

This position is intended as a training opportunity and will emphasize professional development through attorney review and supervision of the Fellow's work, feedback and coaching, exposure to a range of municipal legal issues, opportunities to attend internal and public meetings, and increasing responsibility as skills develop.

The ideal candidate will be a self-starter with strong communication and legal analysis skills, the ability to work independently and take ownership, and an interest in municipal law. The fellow can expect to experience the following: assigning attorney supervision, discussions of legal issues and strategy as it relates to assignments; inclusion in meetings to observe attorney-client discussions and decision-making; defined expectations and establishment of deadlines; prompt review of work; constructive feedback, regular check-ins; increasing complexity and independence of assignments as experience is gained.

Essential Job Functions (May include, but are not limited to, the following): Conduct legal research on municipal, constitutional, administrative, employment, land use, open meetings, public records, procurement, and other areas of local government law. Draft legal memoranda, ordinances, resolutions, contracts, and similar legal documents.

Assist with responses to public records requests Review proposed policies and procedures for legal compliance Support attorneys in advising City departments and staff on legal matters (shadow attorneys at meetings, etc.) Draft presentations, training materials, and updates for City staff Observe hearings, negotiations, public meetings, and similar proceedings to gain practical experience Perform other duties consistent with the educational and skills goals of the fellowship WORKING CONDITIONS Position requires prolonged sitting, standing, walking, reaching, twisting, turning, kneeling, bending, squatting and stooping in the performance of daily activities.

The position also requires grasping, repetitive hand movement and fine coordination in using a computer keyboard. Additionally, the position requires near and far vision in reading written reports and work related documents and using a computer. Acute hearing is required when providing phone and personal customer service.

The need to lift, drag and push files, paper, books and documents weighing up to 25 pounds is also required. Some of these requirements may be accommodated for otherwise qualified individuals requiring and requesting such accommodation.

Minimum Qualifications J.D. from an ASA-accredited law school Completion of a state bar examination (California preferred) Excellent legal research, writing, analytical skills Strong verbal, interpersonal, and written communication skills Ability to take initiative, manage multiple assignments, and meet deadlines Demonstrated professionalism, sound judgment, and attention to detail DESIRABLE QUALIFICATIONS Coursework, experience, or demonstrated interest in municipal/public sector law Internship or clinical experience developing practical law skills and effective communication Knowledge, Skills, Abilities, Expectations Strong legal research skills and persuasive writing abilities Ability to take initiative, work independently, and commitment to learning and improvement Experience using Westlaw, Microsoft Office programs Maintain confidentiality; exercise professional judgment Take ownership of assigned projects (think critically, research new issues, ask thoughtful questions, meet deadlines, effectively manage time) Comfortable working remotely (Teams, Zoom) with coworkers and clients Typical Assignments The Fellow will be given substantive legal work whenever possible, with review and supervision by the assigning attorney.

Examples of assignments may include: Legal research questions and written summaries or legal memoranda Drafting ordinances and resolutions Contract and policy review and drafting Support for public records act requests and review of documents potentially responsive to public records requests Developing training materials for staff and assisting attorneys with trainings Attending client meetings Special projects as assigned Application and Selection Process If you are interested in this outstanding opportunity, you must complete the following steps.

Submit a completed City of Sunnyvale application packet, which consists of: City of Sunnyvale Employment Application. Supplemental Questionnaire. Cover letter explaining interest in this position Resume Writing sample Law school transcript Letter of recommendation (optional) APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS & PROCESS The application submitted must meet the minimum qualifications listed in the job description in order to move forward in the recruitment process with the City of Sunnyvale.

The information provided in the Work Experience, Education, and Certificates/Licenses sections of the application will be used to determine if the application meets the minimum qualifications. A resume, employment history provided elsewhere in the application, or other attachments will not be accepted in lieu of the completed application.

Note: The minimum qualifications for experience are based on full-time experience (40 hours per week). Experience included in the Work Experience section of the application is calculated to the full-time equivalent (hours are pro-rated if less than 40 hours/week). Volunteer experience is not considered qualifying experience.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit a City of Sunnyvale employment application and responses to the supplemental questions to the Department of Human Resources. Interested candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible as the posting will close after receiving 100 qualified and complete applications or by Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 5:00pm, whichever is first.

Candidates are asked to fully describe any training, education, experience, or skills relevant to this position. Electronic applications may be submitted online through the City's employment page at Sunnyvale.ca.gov and click on JOBS. Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

SELECTION PROCESS Applications competitively screened based on the minimum qualifications of this position. Based upon a review of the application materials, qualified candidate applications will be forwarded to the hiring department for review. Application materials will be evaluated for job-related skills, experience, and education.

The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in an interview. Any candidate that is selected by the hiring department will be required to successfully complete a pre-employment process, which may consist of a background history check, as well as a medical exam(s) administered by a City selected physician(s) before hire.

Prior to starting work, all newly-hired employees will be fingerprinted to check conviction history. A conviction history will not necessarily disqualify an applicant from appointment; however, failure to disclose conviction history will result in refusal of employment or termination. Positions which are covered by the Department of Transportation regulations are required to submit to a pre-employment drug test and to random drug and alcohol testing.

INFORMATION ABOUT PROOF OF EDUCATION Any successful candidate, selected by the hiring department will be required to submit proof of education (i.e. original copy of the diploma or college/university transcripts). A candidate with education obtained outside the United States must have education records evaluated by a credential evaluation service at the candidate's expense to determine its equivalency in the United States.

Candidates may utilize any third-party agency for the evaluation. If you search 'education equivalency verification' or similar online, you will obtain results for agencies that provide this evaluation service. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION For more information and questions regarding this employment opportunity, contact Melissa Tronquet, Senior Assistant City Attorney, mtronquet@sunnyvale.ca .gov.

For information relating to the application process contact Faye Brand, Human Resources Technician at 408-730-3015 or email: fbrand@sunnyvale.ca.gov . For assistance on how to fill out your job application, watch the following video: How to Apply for a City of Sunnyvale Job - YouTube (5:13) The information contained within this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice and does not constitute either an expressed or implied contract.

The City of Sunnyvale is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants for all job openings will be considered without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, veteran status, or any other consideration made unlawful under any federal, state, or local laws. The City of Sunnyvale is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities.

If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at (408) 730-7490 or recruitments@sunnyvale.ca.gov . Summary of Confidential Non-Management Employees CONF Benefits Notice of CFRA (California Family Rights Act) Rights and Obligations 01 Instructions for completing the Supplemental Questionnaire: The following supplemental questions constitute an examination.

Responses are reviewed and rated by Subject Matter Expert(s). The supplemental question examination determines the most qualified candidates to move forward in the recruitment process. The responses to the supplemental questions should be specific, thorough and must be reflected in the Work Experience, Education, and Certificates/Licenses sections of the application.

Please note the information provided in the supplemental questions will not be accepted in lieu of the completed application. Incomplete responses, false statements, copying and pasting responses from Artificial Intelligence (AI) programs, and/or entering "See Resume" will result in an incomplete application and/or disqualification from the recruitment process.

Note: The minimum qualifications for experience are based on full-time experience (40 hours per week). Experience included in the Work Experience section of the application is calculated to the full-time equivalent (hours are pro-rated if less than 40 hours/week). Volunteer experience is not considered qualifying experience.

Please be advised that you will be 'timed out' of this page after 30 minutes. It is recommended to copy the supplemental questions that require text answers into a document that you can save on your computer. Prepare your responses in that document and then copy and paste the responses into the spaces provided.

Additionally, please save your work continuously. By checking the 'Yes' response below, I indicate that I have read the instructions for completing the application (located in the job posting) and supplemental questionnaire. In accordance with these instructions, I understand that a completed application and written responses to the supplemental questionnaire are required.

I understand the completed application and supplemental question responses will be used to evaluate my qualifications for this position and further identify the most qualified candidates to continue in the recruitment process. Additionally, I certify that I have completed the application and supplemental questionnaire on my own; the information provided accurately reflects my training, education and experience; and I understand the information provided is subject to verification.

Yes No 02 Do you have a J.D. from an ASA-accredited law school? If yes, list from which school? If no, list NA.

03 Have you Completed a state bar examination (California preferred)? If not California, which state? 04 Briefly list your experience conducting legal research, analysis, and writing.

05 Please outline your method of handling multiple assignments, and meeting deadlines. 06 Have you completed coursework, have experience, or interest in municipal/public sector law? List below, if none, list NA.

07 Have you completed an Internship or have clinical experience developing practical law skills and effective communication? List below, if no, list NA. 08 A complete application includes a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and law school transcript.

Have you attached the required documents? Application will be considered incomplete until all required documents are received. Documents may also be emailed to: fbrand@sunnyvale.ca.gov after application submittal, but must be received by the application deadline of September 1, 2026, or before 100 qualified applications are received to be considered .

Required Question Employer City of Sunnyvale Address 456 W. Olive Avenue Sunnyvale, California, 94086 Phone 408-730-7490 Website https://sunnyvale.ca.gov Apply Please verify your email address Verify Email Open Job Opportunities Account Privacy Policy Terms Of Use Accessibility Statement Privacy Settings Copyright