Law Clerk - Department 6

Position Description

Under direction, the law clerk position provides assistance to the judge(s) of the District Court by researching legal issues before the Court and preparing written summaries of findings. Specific duties and responsibilities may vary depending upon the assigned department.

Law Clerks are at-will employees, and the work is performed under the supervision of the assigned District Court Judge.

Under this recruitment, the Law Clerk will report directly to the Honorable Lynne K. Jones, District Court Judge, in the Second Judicial District Court. This is a general jurisdiction Department which hears a variety of case types including criminal and civil cases.

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, assists 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.
• Perform related duties as assigned.

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.

Ability to

• Learn the procedures and functions of the assigned position
• 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
• 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
• Maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work
• Use and navigate Westlaw
• Use personal computers and software, Microsoft Office suite and Adobe Acrobat Office products
• Sit for extended periods in a courtroom environment
• Frequently stand and walk
• Lift and move objects weighing up to 25 lbs.
• Work remotely

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.
• Demonstrate excellent analytical and writing skills
• Analyze and appraise a variety of legal documents and instruments

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 participation in a law school law review, moot court, internship, summer clerkship or clinic or one year of experience as a Law Clerk