Fountain Valley
Job Description Law School Intern — Paid and/or Law School Credit! Do you want real law firm and possibly court room experience for those who are eligible, experience that actually prepares you to be a lawyer, not just fetching coffee or watching from the sidelines? Do you want to work directly with a managing attorney and see how cases are actually built, managed, and won? We are an enterprising law firm on a path for aggressive growth, and we are looking for a law school student intern to join our team and be a true contributor while learning practical, real-world legal skills. We handle family law, civil litigation, consumer protection, and related matters. The clients we see are people navigating some of the most stressful and emotional moments of their lives, and you will play a meaningful role in helping them get through them. We want to be known for helping clients come out of an extremely emotional process feeling stronger, supported, and confident that they had a team behind them who truly cared and fought for them. As an intern, you will be part of that mission, under close supervision and mentorship. This position is ideal for a law student who wants hands-on experience drafting, researching, and supporting active cases in a small firm environment where your work actually matters. We love to help people learn and grow. The ideal intern is curious, organized, dependable, and eager to improve their legal skills through real responsibility and feedback. This is a part-time position, paid and/or for law school credit, commensurate with experience. Hours are flexible around your class schedule, and we are happy to work with your school’s externship or clinical program requirements. Summer hours may also be available. All work is supervised by a licensed attorney. If these statements appeal to you, you may be our Champion: • You enjoy turning messy facts into clear outlines and summaries., • You like research and don’t stop at the first answer you find., • You understand the difference between a rough draft and a final product., • You are comfortable receiving feedback and revising your work, sometimes morethan once., • You are organized, detail-oriented, and reliable., • You communicate professionally and ask questions when you are unsure., • You understand confidentiality is non-negotiable., • You are excited to learn how a real law firm operates, not just theory., • You do not think scanning, filing, or organizing documents is "beneath you" because you understand that knowing the file inside and out is how great lawyers prepare., • Your middle name is "No Drama." This position does not involve client sales and does not involve giving legal advice. It does involve drafting, research, file organization, and meaningful exposure to litigation under attorney supervision. What We Offer • Paid and/or law school credit, commensurate with experience, • Flexible scheduling around your class schedule, • Direct mentorship from a practicing attorney who will review your work and help you grow, • Hands-on experience with real cases, not busy work, • A collaborative, respectful work environment where your contributions are noticed and valued, • A reference and recommendation letter for strong performers, • Potential for continued employment during breaks and summers, or transition to a post-graduation role as the firm grows This position is paid and/or for law school credit, commensurate with experience. We also support students completing the internship for law school credit and are happy to coordinate with your school’s externship or clinical program. We are looking for someone who can commit to 10 hours per week during the school year, with potential for increased hours during summer and breaks. You must be able to work in the office; this is not a remote position. All work is performed under the direct supervision of a licensed attorney. If this exciting opportunity appeals to you, please follow the instructions listed below. APPLICATIONS THAT DO NOT FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED. • Prepare a cover letter with no more than TWO paragraphs and a closing sentence. In the first paragraph, explain what area of law interests you most and what you hope to learn from working in a small firm environment. In the second paragraph, explain why you applied to this particular ad. As a closing sentence, please write, "I have read the instructions contained in the job posting and have followed the instructions." We look forward to reviewing your application. We are an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants of all backgrounds. Compensation: $16.90 - $20 hourly Responsibilities: What You Will Do • Draft legal documents under attorney supervision, including discovery requests and responses, motions, letters to opposing counsel, and client correspondence, • Conduct legal research and case law analysis on issues related to family law, civil litigation, and consumer protection, • Prepare case summaries, chronologies, and factual outlines for attorney review, • Organize case files, exhibits, and evidence for hearings, depositions, mediations, and trial preparation, • Assist with document review and management, including scanning, naming, filing, and uploading documents to the firm’s case management system, • Help prepare trial notebooks and witness materials, • Assist with intake-related tasks such as preparing engagement letters, client questionnaires, and intake forms based on firm templates, • Attend court, meetings, hearings, or depositions as an observer when opportunities arise, • Complete other tasks as assigned in support of the legal team What You Will Learn • How a small law firm actually operates from intake to case resolution, • Practical legal drafting skills with real attorney feedback on your work product, • How to organize and manage a litigation file, • How court deadlines, filing procedures, and local rules work in practice, • How attorneys prepare for hearings, depositions, mediations, and trials, • Client communication skills and professional conduct in a legal setting, • Currently enrolled in an ABA-accredited law school (1L, 2L, or 3L), • Strong legal research and writing skills (or eagerness to develop them rapidly), • Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills, • Able to manage your time, meet deadlines, and communicate proactively about your workload, • Proficient with Microsoft Office, PowerPoint, and/or Google Workspace; comfortable learning new software, • Professional, dependable, and able to handle sensitive and confidential information with discretion, • Genuinely interested in family law, civil litigation, consumer protection, or general practice Bonus Points • Prior law firm, legal clinic, or legal internship experience, • Coursework in family law, civil procedure, evidence, consumer law, or trial advocacy, • Bilingual (English and Spanish), • Experience with legal research platforms (Westlaw, LexisNexis, Fastcase), • Familiarity with case management software or legal CRM systems About Company At the Law Office of Kyle Gurwell, our clients come first. That is not a slogan. It is our standard. We are a client-focused firm built on trust, preparation, and disciplined advocacy. Every case matters. Every detail matters. Every client deserves to feel informed and protected. Our promise is simple: Personal Attention. We give each case our full focus and care. Clear Communication. We explain every step in plain terms so clients feel confident and informed. Fierce Representation. We protect our clients’ rights with strategy, preparation, and commitment. Respect and Care. We treat every person with professionalism and patience. We hold our team to the same high standard. If excellence and accountability matter to you, you will thrive here.