Summer Job Diary: Hybrid JD Student Lands Summer Internship in Hometown Riverside County DA’s Office

Cassidy Ricks ’28, a rising third-year Hybrid JD Evening Program student, landed an internship in the District Attorney’s Office of Riverside County, where she grew up. She is gaining invaluable experience writing trial briefs and learning from the trial attorneys she observes in court every day.

How did you land your summer job?

I applied for this job through 12twenty as part of the 2026 Spring On-Campus Interviews (OCI). I applied, which led to the first screening interview and eventually led to a second interview. I have a personal connection to Riverside County since this is where I grew up and I think having that connection may have differentiated me from others who applied for the position.

What is the most interesting part of your job?

There have been so many interesting experiences with this job. I can honestly say that there has not been a boring day. The most interesting part of my job is the exposure to trial proceedings. I watch criminal trials every day and can talk with the attorney afterwards about any questions I may have. Trials are fast paced and well thought out but attorneys must have the ability to adapt to new information that is uncovered over the course of the proceedings. Seeing professionals handle all of the moving parts of a trial while staying calm and collected is very interesting.

What has been your most challenging assignment thus far?

My most challenging assignment so far has been writing a trial brief. While the practice we had in Legal Research and Writing helped prepare me for such work, there was still some learning I had to do. There is so much information to collect and many different sources to collect it from including hours of body camera footage, multiple police reports, and preliminary trial transcripts. I go through each of those sources to piece together the facts of the case and find useful information for the prosecutor. It is also challenging learning the evidence rules on the job as I haven’t finished the class yet. However, everyone at this office has been incredibly helpful and willing to support me if I have any difficulties.

What new legal skill have you acquired during your summer job?

A new legal skill that I have acquired is understanding the components of the various codes that make up our legal system including the Evidence Code, Penal Code, Vehicle Code, and Family Code. It is very important to understand how these codes interact with each other and that they are the basis of any legal argument. When I write a trial brief or a motion it helps to break down the code into pieces to evaluate if each requirement is met. This is a skill that I had not acquired before this internship so having this practical experience is very helpful.

What bit of legal knowledge have you been able to display?

In this job I have been able to utilize my legal writing skills I gained from the Legal Research and Writing class. Working in a legal office is a very new experience so having foundational writing skills that I can rely on has allowed me to approach this opportunity with confidence. I have received positive feedback on my writing skills from the attorneys and I attribute that to the instruction and feedback I received from Professor Bremen and Professor Fischer.

How has Loyola helped you map your career path?

I was only able to find this opportunity because of Loyola. Before going to law school, I had no idea how summer internships were obtained. The 12twenty platform and the Career Development team have made it so easy. Katrina Denny, my career advisor, has been an invaluable resource for resume building, information sharing, and confidence boosting. The support and access provided by Loyola enabled me to secure this position.