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The San Mateo County Attorney's Office is seeking candidates for the 2026 Michael P. Murphy Public Law Fellowship.

In 2014, the County of San Mateo established a 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 many 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. Fellows are given the opportunity to experience a wide range of public sector work, in litigation, public policy, and advice roles. The goal is to provide each Fellow a year in the life of a Deputy County Attorney.

The one-year Fellowship position is focused on providing opportunities to recent law school graduates and judicial clerks. This Fellowship will begin in the Fall of 2026. Law School graduates who will be sitting for the 2026 July Bar Exam are encouraged to apply.

The annual salary range for the position is $131,673 to $187,860.

To apply, please submit in one combined PDF: a resume, cover letter, writing sample, unofficial transcript, and a list of references to cc_applications@smcgov.org by 11:59 p.m. on September 1, 2025.

Applications will be accepted by email only (cc_applications@smcgov.org).