Legal Fellow (Post-Bar)

Job Description:

Legal Fellow (Post-Bar)

Description

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 positionResume Writing sampleLaw school transcriptLetter 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, required documents, 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, [email protected] .gov. For information relating to the application process contact Faye Brand, Human Resources Technician at 408-730-3015 or email: [email protected].

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 [email protected] .

Summary of Confidential Non-Management Employees CONF Benefits

Notice of CFRA (California Family Rights Act) Rights and Obligations

Closing Date/Time: 9/1/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

Salary:

$52.48 - $66.98 Hourly