Imperial County DA’s Office Launches Post-Bar Law Clerk Program

-Editorial 

The Imperial County District Attorney’s Office announced the swearing-in of its first post-bar law clerk as part of broader recruitment and modernization efforts aimed at strengthening prosecution services and staffing levels in the county.

Stephanie Gerald, who graduated from the College of Law in Ventura in December 2025, recently took the February 2026 California Bar Examination and has joined the office as a post-bar law clerk. According to the District Attorney’s Office, Gerald brings experience in technology and education, holding a bachelor’s degree in film and digital media and a master’s degree in instructional design and technology from Emporia State University.

District Attorney George Marquez said Gerald’s technology background will support modernization initiatives within the office, including digital evidence storage systems and the use of artificial intelligence tools to assist with organizing and summarizing case materials.

“Stephanie represents exactly the kind of forward-thinking legal professional we are working to recruit to Imperial County,” Marquez said in a statement.

The post-bar law clerk program was created to help address recruitment and retention challenges faced by rural prosecutor offices throughout California. The program allows recent law school graduates who have completed the bar examination to gain courtroom and prosecution experience while awaiting exam results.

Officials said participants who pass the California Bar Examination may be offered attorney positions within the office.

According to the District Attorney’s Office, the program has received significant interest, with seven commitments secured for post-bar law clerk positions this year. Recruitment efforts included participation in law school career fairs, campus interviews, and online outreach.

Marquez said Imperial County offers young attorneys opportunities for hands-on courtroom experience and exposure to a wide variety of cases early in their careers.

The office also announced additional efforts to strengthen training and staffing. A retired supervising deputy attorney general has been retained to provide trial advocacy and courtroom litigation training for incoming law clerks.

In addition, the District Attorney’s Office said it is launching its first paralegal program to assist with trial preparation and litigation support. Officials stated the initiative is intended to increase attorney capacity for prosecuting sexual assault and homicide cases. Funding for the program has already been secured, according to the office.

The District Attorney’s Office said the initiatives are part of ongoing efforts focused on recruitment, professional development and modernization of prosecution services in Imperial County.