Law Clerk

Position Description

Under direction, law clerks assist the judge(s) of the District Court by performing duties such as researching legal issues and preparing written summaries of findings. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending upon the assigned judicial department.

Law Clerks are at-will employees. Work is performed under the direct supervision of a District Court Judge

Major Duties

• Review, study, research and annotate laws, court decisions, documents, opinions, briefs, and related legal authorities.
• Prepare briefs, legal memoranda, and statement of issues involved, including appropriate suggestions or recommendations to the judge, and/or proposed orders to written civil and criminal motions after researching and analyzing argument and legal issues.
• Compile references on laws and decisions necessary for legal determinations.
• Conduct comprehensive research and studies of legal issues for the court.
• Attend court sessions to hear oral arguments, evidentiary hearings, and jury and non-jury trials.
• Advise staff on proper procedural changes, assist with completing legal forms, and documents.
• Conduct special projects as assigned.
• Assist Court personnel with a variety of tasks and duties as assigned including preparation for trials, settlement conferences, and other proceedings; provides administrative assistance as needed.

Job-Related and Essential Qualifications

Knowledge of

• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.
• Legal practices and precedents of the assigned area.
• Principles of criminal, civil, constitutional, family, juvenile and administrative law.
• Judicial procedures and the rules of evidence.
• Practices, methods, and materials of legal research.
• Procedures, documents, and terminology used in court cases.
• Personal computers and software, Microsoft Office suite and Adobe Acrobat office products.

Ability to

• Assume responsibility for an assigned area of legal research.
• Interpret, explain, and apply the policies, procedures, laws, codes, and regulations pertaining to assigned programs and functions.
• Be licensed or a member of a state bar.
• Learn the procedures and functions of the assigned position.
• Learn the operations, services, and activities of the assigned Department.
• Learn to interpret, explain, and apply the policies, procedures, laws, codes, and regulations pertaining to assigned programs and functions.
• Research, analyze, and apply legal principles, facts, evidence, and precedents to legal problems.
• Analyze and appraise a variety of legal documents and instruments.
• Maintain effective working relationships.
• Use and navigate Westlaw.
• Operate modern office equipment including computers.

Skills to

• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Present statements of fact and law clearly and logically in written and oral form.
• Deal tactfully and courteously with others.

Minimum Qualifications

• Graduation from an accredited law school.
• Excellent analytical and writing skills.
• One year of increasingly responsible experience in legal research and writing which may include law review, mock trial, clinic, or clerkship/legal workplace experience or one year of experience as a Law Clerk.