A. Karen Barragan Secures Post Bar Law Clerk Position
May 22, 2015
May 2015 graduate A. Karen Barragan has secured a position with the San Diego City Attorney’s Office, Criminal Division, as a post bar law clerk. The Post Bar clerkship affords students the opportunity to experience the demanding practice of a prosecutor. The program is designed to give students not just an understanding of the criminal justice system but also hands on experience with trial advocacy and representing the People with misdemeanor cases. Barragan applied for the position along with over 100 other applicants and was selected as 1 of the 12 post bar clerks. The program will begin on August 17, 2015, two weeks after the July 2015 California State Bar Examination.
Barragan has interned at the San Diego District Attorney’s Office for her entire 3L year. In the Fall 2014 semester, she worked in the Superior Court Division. There she worked with attorneys who dealt with felony burglaries, robberies and murders. In the Spring 2015 semester, Barragan worked in the Sex Crimes and Human Trafficking Unit, where she worked with attorneys prosecuting people charged with the most complicated, serious, and heinous sexual offenses. As a Post Bar, Barragan will work with attorneys in one of the five units, General Trial, Domestic Violence, Case Issuance, Appellate or Neighborhood Prosecution, focusing on misdemeanors within city limits.
Barragan is excited for the opportunity. “It is a true blessing to have been selected for this position,” she says “it was definitely a competitive process, and I am grateful to be one of the twelve. I have worked with one of the prosecution agencies in San Diego and I loved every minute of it. I am really looking forward to having the opportunity to continue to develop professionally with a smaller prosecutorial agency the collegial environment. I look forward to continuing to develop my career as a prosecutor and hopefully secure a permanent position there.”
Barragan is thankful for all the help she has received through her journey. “I am thankful for everything I have been through that has led me along this path of public service,” said Barragan. “I’m thankful to Latinas in the Law, San Diego La Raza Lawyer’s Association and TJSL La Raza for helping me develop professionally and introducing me to amazing people that inspire me to do better each day.” Barragan met her mentor as a result of an event put together by these three groups her 1L year. “My mentor is a phenomenal person who has taken me as her own and has spent countless hours reviewing my materials, helping me feel confident about my materials, doing mock interviews, and constantly going over my job search strategies and plans. I could not have done it without her.”