Fellowships & Externships
Law Student Opportunities
Calling all law students and recent graduates with a passion for public interest work! The Legal Aid Society of San Bernardino offers multiple opportunities during the summer and academic term for highly motivated students to support our work. This includes:
- Summer Fellowships (Florentino Garza & CalBar)
- Academic Externships
- Other Fellowship Proposals
Florentino Garza & CalBar Summer Fellowships
The Legal Aid Society of San Bernardino is proud to offer paid, full-time summer fellowship opportunities for law students and recent graduates who have a strong interest in pursuing a public interest career. Over the course of the 10 week program, our summer fellows shadow LASSB staff attorneys across our legal practice areas and engage in legal research and support, lunch-and-learn opportunities with local judges and attorneys, and community outreach events. Our goal is to strengthen students’ legal advocacy skills and provide a realistic glimpse into public interest and legal aid careers.
ELIGIBILITY
- Currently enrolled law student, or recent graduate (within the last year)
- A commitment to serving low-income individuals and an interest in pursuing a public interest career
- Previous experience in a legal, public interest, and/or social justice setting are preferred
- Access to reliable transportation and an ability to commit to full-time hybrid/in-person participation for the duration of the 10 week fellowship
FELLOWSHIP DETAILS
- 2026 Fellowship Dates: Monday, June 1, 2026 – Thursday, August 6, 2026
- The fellowship operates on a hybrid model; LASSB expects fellows to be available for substantial in-person attendance at the LASSB main office and various sites across San Bernardino and Riverside Counties for court hearings and other events, with occasional flexibility for remote work.
- This is a paid, full-time opportunity.
ABOUT FLORENTINO GARZA
The Florentino Garza Fellowship is a heartfelt tribute to the late Attorney Florentino Garza, a stalwart champion of justice in San Bernardino County and a mentor to underserved individuals throughout his life. The Florentino Garza Fellowship is generously funded by Mr. Garza’s heirs. Florentino Garza and CalBar summer fellows receive the same pay and program opportunities over the course of the summer fellowship.
Applications for the 2026 Summer Fellowships are now closed.
Please check back in the fall for information about the 2027 Summer Fellowships.
Academic Externships
The Legal Aid Society of San Bernardino partners with currently-enrolled law students who are seeking externship placements in exchange for academic credit during the normal academic term. Externs receive individualized support and mentorship from LASSB’s staff attorneys in the practice area of choice, as well as access to our training resources. Over the course of their externship, students may contribute to legal research, brief drafting, translations, and other client-facing services. Potential placement areas include:
- Domestic Violence
- Family Law
- Housing / Evictions
- And More!
If you are a student or law school administrator interested in establishing an academic term externship with LASSB, please contact: davidf@legalaidofsb.org.
Other Fellowship Proposals
The Legal Aid Society of San Bernardino welcomes proposals for Equal Justice Works, Skadden, and other external fellowships. We can work with you to develop a fellowship application or other engagement that meets your needs. For more information, please contact: davidf@legalaidofsb.org.