UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
CENTRAL DISTRICT OF CALIFORNIA
WESTERN DIVISION
350 WEST FIRST STREET, SUITE 4311
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90012-4565
CHAMBERS OF
CYNTHIA VALENZUELA
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
Re: Judge Cynthia Valenzuela Law Student Externship Posting
Judge Cynthia Valenzuela of the United States District Court for the Central District of
California hires law student externs for the Spring, Summer, and Fall terms every year. The
positions coincide approximately with the academic calendar as described in further detail
below. Externships are fully in person, as we are unable to accommodate requests for remote
externships at this time. All externships are full time positions. The externship is unpaid, as the
Court lacks funding to pay externs.
Judge Valenzuela is seeking externs with strong research and writing skills, who are
passionate about the law, willing to learn, and dedicated to improving our justice system. Those
with a demonstrated commitment to public service are encouraged to apply. Externs will work
closely with the law clerks and Judge Valenzuela, and will have the opportunity to draft orders,
perform substantive legal research and writing, assist the judge and law clerks in preparation for
hearings, and observe criminal and civil hearings and trials.
The timelines for each semester are below. Specific start and end dates may be adjusted
in some circumstances. Applications are considered on a rolling basis beginning on the dates
applications open as described above, and students are encouraged to apply promptly after the
applications open. There is no hard deadline to apply, but Judge Valenzuela will cease reviewing
applications after all spots have been filled. The likely timeline for when hiring decisions will be
made is listed below.
Spring Externship:
o Applications open: first week of October
o Final decisions on hiring: likely mid-November
o Externship dates: third week of January – third week of April
Summer Externship:
o Applications open: second week of December
o Final decisions on hiring: likely mid-February
o Externship dates: third week of May – second week of August
Fall Externship
o Applications open: first week of May
o Final decisions on hiring: likely mid-June
o Externship dates: third week of August – third week of November
Interested applicants must submit the following materials in PDF format to
[email protected]:
Cover letter: Please indicate the term for which you are applying
Resume
Transcript (even if unofficial)
Writing sample (five to ten pages in length)
If you require an accommodation for any part of this process, please contact Judge Valenzuela’s
Chambers at
[email protected].
