Summer 2026 Associate

Job Description

This internship Opportunity is for Summer 2026. You must attach a resume, cover letter and writing sample to be considered for this opportunity.

The Summer Associate will be a current law student who is entering into either their 2L or 3L year of law school. The position will serve under the supervision of senior attorney staff within the office, and tasks will cover a broad range of legal services including memo writing, legal research, oral advocacy, and transactional work. The position is designed for a 10-week period and will terminate prior to the summer associate’s re-entry into law school.

This job is classified as a temporary, part-time, at-will position within the Raleigh City Attorney’s Office that automatically terminates at a predetermined time as agreed upon by the applicant and the City prior to the start of employment (based around law school fall semester start date). Employment is conditioned upon a background check and passed drug-test screening, per City of Raleigh employment policies.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides a broad range of legal services related to municipal operations as directed by the City Attorney and summer associate supervisor;
• Participates in problem-solving activities on a variety of City issues and takes on special projects at the direction of senior members of the legal staff;
• Researches a variety of legal issues and writes briefs that can concisely and accurately convey the necessary findings and research;
• Works with various City Departments providing legal advice and day-to-day departmental operating instructions;
• Reviews processes and assists in the defense of claims made against the City, its officials, or employees; and
• Assists attorneys in litigating complex matters in State and Federal Court and before various agencies and quasi-judicial tribunals.

Typical Qualifications

Education

• College degree from an accredited university or college
• At least one year of a juris doctor degree completed at an ABA accredited law school

• Relevant local government experience is helpful but not required
• An interest in state and local government and public service is preferred
• There are both litigation-heavy and transactional roles within our office; ideally, a candidate is open to both types of work but can make preferences known as experience grows during the summer

• Savvy at using legal analytics and research tools (i.e. WestLaw, Lexis, FastCase, ECourts, etc.)
• Proficient in Microsoft Office tools (primarily Word, Teams, and Outlook); Adobe

Additional Information

ADA and Other Requirements:

Work Environment and Physical Effort:
Sedentary: Exerting up to 10 pounds of force occasionally, a negligible amount of force frequently, and/or constantly having to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body.

Work Environment:
Work is typically performed in an office or similar indoor environment.

Work Exposures:
Work in this position does not require frequent environmental exposures.

City of Raleigh is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer. Accommodations for individuals with disabilities are provided upon request.