http://sfdistrictattorney.org/

San Francisco District Attorney's Office

Communication and Policy Intern

July - September 2019 • San Francisco, CA

What I liked

I got to work on very interesting legal cases and work on high profile projects. I got to do a wide range of tasks including press releases, policy briefs, attend court hearings, visit a jail, and make advertisements.

What I wish was different

I wish I had been paid and did not work full-time (because they did not have enough work for me). They hired too many interns during a slow period.

Advice

I would ask to take on more independent projects, schedule meetings to learn more about law with other people in the office, and put in a lot of effort to build meaningful networking connections, especially if you're pre-law.
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law intern

June - September 2019 • San Francisco, CA

What I liked

The atmosphere of the office and how much attention is given in cases.

What I wish was different

I wish I could’ve been more involved in the cases.

Advice

To create connections with those you work with so you can have references later on.
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intern

May - August 2018 • San Francisco, CA

What I liked

I loved that what I did everyday was new and that the work that I was doing immediately showed to be valuable and that I was an intern that was truly needed.

What I wish was different

Nothing.

Advice

I would advise that interning at the DA can be extremely emotionally exhausting and very triggering, especially because I interned for an Assistant District Attorney who worked in the Child Abuse and Sexual Assault Department. You see very heart wrenching things on a day to day basis and it can be very difficult to detach. This internship is definitely not for everyone and I would highly recommend considering whether or not this type of internship will interfere with your own personal and mental needs.
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Policy and Communications Intern

June - August 2018 • San Francisco, CA

What I liked

- good experience for starting interest in law - got to learn more about criminal justice system and criminal justice reform - got to learn about legislative, policymaking process

What I wish was different

- wished for more experience conducting legal research and analysis

Advice

- supervisors are generally really busy, so learn how to balance your work schedule along with theirs and to do work independently
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Victim Services Intern

June - August 2018 • San Francisco, CA

What I liked

I got a lot of hands on experience with calling victims and facilitating crisis intervention. I also learned so much more about the criminal justice system from the moment the police get called to the conviction of an offender.

What I wish was different

It would have been helpful if everyone was assigned to a person instead of a unit within Victim Services. I got lucky and was assigned to a specific advocate but not all were lucky.

Advice

You get as much as you put in. If you are interested in learning a lot speak up and go for it!
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