Law Clerk Program

Full-time

No

## Maricopa County Office of the Public Defender Clerkship Program

The Maricopa County Office of the Public Defender Clerkship Program provides recent law graduates and third year law students with an opportunity to work closely with attorneys in a variety of criminal cases. The program is designed to give clerks an in-depth understanding of criminal defense and provide them with the practical experience they need to become successful lawyers.

### Benefits of the Clerkship Program

The Maricopa County Office of the Public Defender Clerkship Program provides a variety of benefits to those who are accepted into the program. Law clerks are paid employees of Maricopa County with full benefits. Additionally, clerks have the opportunity to work in a variety of criminal defense cases, including general felony trial groups, appeals, capital, sex crimes, juveniles charged as adults, vehicular, and mental health units.

Law clerks are expected to assist attorneys at legal proceedings, review evidence, issue spot, perform legal research, draft legal memoranda and substantive motions, attend client meetings, and participate in legal seminars and workshops.

### Requirements and Qualifications

The Maricopa County Office of the Public Defender Clerkship Program accepts applications on a rolling basis. Qualified applicants will have demonstrated their passion for indigent defense throughout their law school experience and strive to work as an attorney at MCPD once they’ve become licensed.

In addition to these qualifications, ideal candidates for the MCPD Clerkship Program will have experience in criminal defense or public interest work. Furthermore, applicants should either:

1) be currently attending an accredited law school and will be in their last semester of their 3L year at the time of their start date if hired, or

2) have recently graduated, are planning to sit for the next bar exam and will have submitted their character and fitness application by their start date if hired, or

3) have recently graduated and are awaiting results of their bar exam and character and fitness application.

### How to Apply

If you are interested in the Maricopa County Office of the Public Defender Clerkship Program, please email a current resume, cover letter, and writing sample to Angela DeMarse, Law Clerk/Extern Supervisor. Once your materials are received, qualified applicants will be contacted for the scheduling of an interview.

## Summary

The Maricopa County Office of the Public Defender Clerkship Program provides recent law graduates and third year law students with an opportunity to work closely with attorneys in a variety of criminal cases and gain in-depth understanding of criminal defense. Law clerks are paid employees of Maricopa County with full benefits and have the opportunity to work in a variety of criminal defense cases, including general felony trial groups, appeals, capital, sex crimes, juveniles charged as adults, vehicular, and mental health units.

Ideal candidates for the MCPD Clerkship Program will have experience in criminal defense or public interest work, have demonstrated their passion for indigent defense throughout their law school experience, and strive to work as an attorney at MCPD once they’ve become licensed. Furthermore, applicants should either be currently attending an accredited law school and will be in their last semester of their 3L year at the time of their start date if hired, or have recently graduated, are planning to sit for the next bar exam and will have submitted their character and fitness application by their start date if hired, or have recently graduated and are awaiting results of their bar exam and character and fitness application.

If interested in applying, please email a current resume, cover letter, and writing sample to Angela DeMarse, Law Clerk/Extern Supervisor. Once your materials are received, qualified applicants will be contacted for the scheduling of an interview.

## Salary Information, Job Title and Experience Information

The Maricopa County Office of the Public Defender Clerkship Program offers a competitive salary and full benefits to law clerks. The job title for the program is Law Clerk and the ideal candidate should have experience in criminal defense or public interest work. Additionally, applicants should either:

1) be currently attending an accredited law school and will be in their last semester of their 3L year at the time of their start date if hired, or

2) have recently graduated, are planning to sit for the next bar exam and will have submitted their character and fitness application by their start date if hired, or

3) have recently graduated and are awaiting results of their bar exam and character and fitness application.

Paid Employees of Maricopa County with full benefits

Legal Research, Drafting Legal Memoranda, Substantive Motions, Client Meetings, Evidentiary Hearings, Jury Selection, Trials

Email a current resume, cover letter, and writing sample to Angela DeMarse, Law Clerk/Extern Supervisor

Qualification and Experience Third year law students and recent law graduates

Legal