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Clearfield County OKs paid summer legal intern at $85 a day after debate
Summary
The Clearfield County commissioners approved a single paid summer legal‑intern position for up to 12 weeks at $85 per day, after discussing stipend levels and funding sources. District Attorney Sayers said the paid position is needed to attract law students and build a recruitment pipeline.
The Clearfield County Board of Commissioners voted March 10 to create a paid summer legal‑intern position for up to 12 weeks and approved compensation of $85 per day.
District Attorney Sayers explained the proposal to the board, describing three proposed stipend tiers — $3,000 for part‑time, $5,000 for full‑time and $6,500 for a Pennsylvania Supreme Court‑certified legal intern who could appear in court under supervision — and said the paid position is intended to attract law‑students from State College and other areas. "We are looking to have an intern paid for the summer because most of these are law students that are coming from State College," Sayers said, adding that the position also serves as a pipeline for future interns and helps staff and attorneys.
Commissioners questioned the higher stipend levels compared with last year’s $3,000 summer intern and pressed whether the district attorney’s office had funds available. Sayers said the only immediately available fund would be the expungement fee — about $1,000 a year — and that other sources such as drug‑forfeiture or opioid‑settlement funds were not available for this use. One commissioner called the proposed $5,000 full‑time stipend "a little high" based on prior practice.
After discussion about paying a daily or hourly rate instead of a lump sum, a commissioner moved to hire the intern at $85 per day for no more than 12 weeks; the motion was seconded and passed by voice vote with one commissioner recorded as voting "nay." Chair S3 noted the dissent on the record. "With the amended language properly moved and seconded, do we have all in favor?" the chair asked; most answered "Aye," and a clerk recorded one "nay."
The motion authorizes a single paid intern for the summer; the board did not approve separate hires at the three stipend levels. Sayers told the commissioners he had discussed fair amounts with the chief public defender and a local judge when developing the proposal. The DA identified a first‑year Penn State student likely to accept a full‑time paid internship if offered.
Next steps: the board approved the compensation and the county will proceed with hiring under the newly authorized terms.
