We do not have any openings at this time. The most recent recruitment closed on September 1, 2023.
In 2014, the County of San Mateo established a two-year Fellowship position in honor of former San Mateo County Counsel Michael P. Murphy. Mr. Murphy served in the County Counsel’s office from 1982 to 2011, the last four years as County Counsel. Vacancies in Bay Area county counsel offices typically attract hundreds of qualified applicants and new attorneys are generally not considered for these positions. This Fellowship provides an opportunity for new attorneys to receive training and experience in advising and litigating on behalf of government agencies as they begin their legal careers.
Attorneys in the San Mateo County Attorney’s Office (previously known as the County Counsel’s Office) are generalists. We provide legal advice to County departments, school districts and special districts; litigate civil cases in State and Federal courts and before administrative agencies; and manage calendar assignments in Dependency, Probate, Lanterman Petris Short Act and other specialized areas of law. While the Office looks to involve the Fellows in impact litigation and public policy projects, Fellows are given the opportunity to experience a wide-range of public sector work, in both litigation and advice roles. The goal is to provide each Fellow two years in the life of a Deputy County Attorney.
The two-year Fellowship position is focused on providing opportunities to recent law school graduates (including applicants during the Fall of their 3L year) and judicial clerks. We typically begin accepting applications in July of each odd numbered year for a position to begin the following autumn.