Judicial Post-Bar Clerkship Following Bar Exam

The Honorable Judge Sean Dabel of the San Mateo County Superior Court is accepting applications for an unpaid Judicial Post-Bar clerkship to start following the July 2025 bar exam, or as soon thereafter. Applicants are accepted on a rolling basis until the positions are filled. The judicial post-bars would be assigned to handle issues in the direct calendar Civil and Family Law departments - excluding Juvenile. You will be supervised by a Judicial Officer. This placement is out of the Redwood City and/or San Mateo courthouse with some remote work available.

This is an unpaid position - benefits are not provided.

Judicial Post-Bars will be responsible for preparing written summaries of motions and pleadings on matters appearing on the daily calendar. The Judicial Officer will also assign research projects to the externs concerning family and civil law issues as well as trial preparation. The externs' work will be supervised by the Judicial Officers of the Family law and/or Civil division. The placement will provide the opportunity to attend the Law and Motion hearings on the matters they prepare and to participate in the various functions of the Civil and Family Court. Training on Civil and Family Law will be provided during the placement and assignments will touch on the various aspects encountered in a Civil and Family Law Judicial assignment which include: Unlawful Detainer, Tort, Employment, Contracts, Civil Discovery, Determination of Attorney Fees, Appellate Court Decision's effect on the Trial Court, Mediation, Child Custody and best interest of the child determinations, support calculations, and domestic violence restraining orders. Prior civil or family law course work or internship placement is desired but not required. Interested applicants should send a short cover letter and writing sample to Judge Dabel at sdabel@sanmateocourt.org as well as an unofficial law school transcript. For any additional questions please use the same email address.