Legal Intern

Salary: $30.00 Hourly
Location : Boise, ID
Job Type: Part-Time No Benefits
Job Number: 02593
Department: Prosecutor
Opening Date: 05/14/2025

General Summary
The Ada County Prosecutor's Office is dedicated to serving Idaho's largest community, keeping it a safe place to live and work, giving a voice to crime victims and advocating for the citizens of Ada County.
Learn more about Ada County Prosecutor office by visiting their website.
POSITION GENERAL SUMMARY:
Summer Interns for the Ada County Prosecuting Attorney's Office have a unique opportunity to gain hands-on legal experience and deepen their understanding of the justice system. Legal interns support attorneys with legal research, case preparation, and administrative tasks while developing practical skills.

This temporary position is located in the Ada County Prosecuting Attorney's Office and may be assigned to one of two legal divisions, Criminal or Civil, based on interest, availability, and organizational needs. Each division provides valuable insight into its respective legal processes, offering exposure to a variety of cases and client interactions under the guidance of experienced legal professionals.
Criminal

The Criminal Division handles and appears on general misdemeanor and felony cases. They are assigned to the magistrate and juvenile divisions. Interns will learn various litigation, negotiation, preparation, and trial skills which may entail spending long periods of time in court and documenting a high volume of cases. They work in a variety of legal environments and are exposed to numerous caseload types. They will learn to work independently and make critical decisions in case strategy, negotiations, and handling with assistance of a supervisor/mentor.
Civil

The Civil Division functions as corporate counsel for Ada County and its Elected Officials. The office practices law in such areas as tort litigation, construction, contract, employment, bankruptcy, land use planning, and general civil practice.

Essential Functions

Criminal

• Appears in court and documents cases during court proceedings;
• Drafts legal documents such as motions, orders, and memoranda;
• Participates in case negotiations with defense attorneys, which involves analyzing the case to determine its overall strength, evaluating the number and kinds of witnesses available and determining what resolution is appropriate;
• Prepares for hearings and trials in Magistrate Court by reviewing reports, legal issues, and physical evidence surrounding the case, identifying and interviewing witnesses, consulting with victims, conferring with police officers, and preparing for trial;
• Appears in court to represent the State by presenting evidence and argument at arraignments, pretrial conferences, hearings on motions, jury and court trials, sentencings, and specialty courts;
• Conducts legal research necessary for supervising attorney(s);
• Demonstrates the conduct and behavior of a team player by helping create a professional and rewarding work environment for all Prosecuting Attorney employees;
• Manages and prepares cases to meet critical deadlines;
• Supports and interacts with other team members to ensure effective caseload management.
• Communicates effectively and maintains high credibility with the judiciary, law enforcement agencies, victims, witnesses, and co-workers;
• Utilizes the services of the Victim-Witness Unit when appropriate to ease trauma to victims and/or witnesses exposed to the criminal justice system;
• Handles some appellate casework before district court sitting in an appellate capacity;
• Treats pro se litigants, victims, law enforcement officers, witnesses, members of the public, support staff, colleagues and victim-witness staff with dignity and respect;
• Maintains collegial relationship with defense counsel and treats all counsel fairly.

Civil

• Participates or assists in the practices of civil law in all or one of the following areas: bankruptcy, county welfare, civil rights, personal injury, collections, construction and real estate, emergency communications, drug asset forfeitures, land use, legislative processes, probate and guardianships, personnel and benefits, open meetings and public records, and property taxation; to include:
  • Drafts contracts and other legal documents;
  • Conducts legal research;
  • Researches and drafts advice letters and legal opinions for clients;
  • Negotiates and prepares contracts and real estate and construction documents;
  • Prepares ordinances and resolutions;
  • Advises Ada County Human Resources and county clients on personnel matters;
  • Drafts and reviews findings of fact and conclusions of law in administrative board proceedings;
• Practices in or assists in all phases of civil litigation, before both State and Federal tribunals up to and including the U.S. Supreme Court;
• Participates in or assists the civil division to manage cases from the inception of lawsuits through the appellate stages;
• Demonstrates the conduct and behavior of a team player by helping create a professional and rewarding work environment for all Prosecuting Attorney employees;
• Supports and interacts with other team members to ensure effective caseload management;
• Communicates and maintains high credibility with the judiciary, clients, and co-workers; and
• Maintains collegial relationship with defense counsel and treats all counsel fairly.

ADDITIONAL FUNCTIONS:

• Performs related duties as required.

Job Requirements

• Second-year law students who qualify for an Idaho Legal Intern License;
• Knowledge of online legal research tools, such as Westlaw and LexisNexis;
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with clients, coworkers, victims, witnesses, and members of other agencies;
• Ability to maintain confidentiality;
• Ability to communicate effectively and persuasively;
• Ability to be a team player;
• Ability to exercise good judgment;
• Ability to conduct self in a professional manner both inside and outside the courtroom.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Must possess a strong work ethic;
• Must maintain the highest of ethical standards.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

• Work is performed primarily in an office environment and the employee in this class is subject to inside environmental conditions;
• Requires sufficient personal mobility and physical reflexes to permit the employee to function in a general office environment and accomplish tasks;
• May be required to lift up to 20 lbs.

DISCLAIMER:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the primary job responsibilities satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodation. The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being assigned to this job. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of individuals in the job. This job description is not an employment agreement and/or an expressed or implied employment contract. Management has the exclusive right to alter this job description at any time without notice. Ada County provides Veteran's Preference for all County jobs except for those deemed "key positions" in accordance with Title 65, Chapter 5 of Idaho Code.
This position is not eligible for benefits.
01

Are you a second-year law student who qualifies for an Idaho Legal Intern License?

• Yes
• No

Required Question