Judicial Clerkship - Government in Lancaster, PA

Government

Lancaster, PA

Judicial Clerkship - Government in Lancaster, PA

Judicial Clerkship

No

Job Title: Law Clerk

Job Responsibilities:
This position involves legal research work, which includes reviewing briefs and similar legal documents, determining pertinent issues, conducting research into statutes, precedents, and other circumstances relevant to such issues, and drafting opinions, orders, adjudications, and similar documents. The work is performed directly for and under the supervision of an assigned Judge serving on the Court of Common Pleas.

Essential job functions include:
- Reviewing pretrial briefs and other submissions for completeness; summarizing information presented, identifying pertinent issues, and other noteworthy elements; conducting research into precedential and related cases, laws, and opinions; summarizing such findings, including likely outcomes based on information available; submitting such information to the assigned judge.
- Preparing multiple summaries for all judges involved in en banc panel (or argument court) cases.
- Attending court hearings and trials, observing proceedings, and taking notes of arguments, points made, testimony presented, and other activities of potential use in reaching decisions.
- Conferring with judges when questions of law arise during proceedings; researching such questions so the trial or hearing can continue unimpeded.
- Attending pretrial conferences to identify issues raised, points of law to be addressed, and any particular circumstances that may arise during trial; anticipating the likelihood of such points of law, motions, and other procedural issues, and preparing research/opinions necessary to resolve the same.
- Discussing cases with judges, ensuring consideration of all salient points raised and related issues of law; expressing opinions and ensuring understanding of judges' viewpoints and intentions.
- Drafting opinions and orders for cases, including both civil and criminal, sentencing decisions, and related matters; ensuring proper citation of applicable statutory and precedential guidelines; answering judges' questions about citations, intent, and other elements of such drafts; receiving final documents from judges; editing for style, grammar, or other non-legal matters.

Education and Experience Information:
Minimum qualifications for this position include:
- Must either be a member of the Bar of Pennsylvania or;
- Must have received without exception an earned Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor degree from a law school that was accredited at the time of matriculation or graduation.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Thorough knowledge of the terminology, procedural forms, and documentary practices employed in the judicial system.
- Thorough knowledge of research methods and techniques, sources, and citations commonly employed in the judicial system.
- Knowledge of the statutes, regulations, structure, and operations of the civil and criminal system as applicable to the Court of Common Pleas.
- Knowledge of principles, procedures, and practices of civil and criminal trials, hearings, and related court activities.
- Ability to analyze legal documents, identify pertinent issues, and summarize findings and conclusions.
- Ability to observe court proceedings and document activities and issues raised.
- Ability to draft opinions, memoranda, and related legal documents expressing applicable issues, relevant law and precedent, and judicial viewpoints.

Required Licenses/Certifications/Clearances:
This position requires a pre-employment background check as required by policy to perform the duties.

Physical Requirements/Work Environment:
- All law clerks employed in the Unified Judicial System are prohibited from appearing as counsel in the division/section of the court in which they are employed or in which the judge by whom they are employed serves. Further, in courts that have no formally established division or sections, the law clerks are prohibited from appearing as counsel in the court itself.
- Any outside employment or commercial activities by law clerks must be reported in writing (Permission to Hold Outside Employment form), in advance, to their employing judge or president judge.
- The employee has to be able to communicate with court and non-court personnel. The employee is frequently required to go from one location to another ., Courtroom, Chambers, and/or non-court offices.
- The employee must regularly lift and/or move judicial files weighing up to 10 pounds. Occasionally there may be some lifting involving boxes with case files.

Salary Information:
Starting compensation for this position is $62, annually.

Additional Information:
The organization offers comprehensive benefits to its employees. Employment with the organization is based upon the ability to perform the job as well as dependability and reliability once an individual is hired. The organization provides Equal Employment Opportunity for all persons regardless of race, religion, age, sex, national origin, genetic information, or disability and observes all applicable laws regarding veterans' status.