Law Student - Government in Los Angeles, CA

Government

Los Angeles, CA

Law Student - Government in Los Angeles, CA

Law Student

No

**Job Title:**

Senior Law Clerk, Spring

**Job Responsibilities:**

The Senior Law Clerk (SLC) position is a 16-week internship program within the Public Defender department, aimed at providing recent law school graduates practical experience in a legal environment. The program offers a unique opportunity to advance into permanent employment as a Deputy Public Defender I. During this period, Senior Law Clerks will:

- Conduct preliminary hearings and participate in case work in specialized areas such as Post-Conviction, Law Enforcement Accountability, and Immigration.
- Assist in preparing various criminal cases and participate in hearings and jury trials under the mentorship of senior-level Deputy Public Defenders.
- Conduct legal research, review legal documents, and organize extensive reports and exhibits for trials.
- Research, study, interpret, and apply laws, court decisions, and other legal authorities in the preparation of cases, opinions, pleadings, and briefs.
- Organize extensive legal discovery, reports, documents, and potential case exhibits.
- Conduct pretrial reviews of case files for witness subpoenas and other evidence gathered for trials.
- Conduct preliminary interviews of potential complainants in criminal cases and report on findings of facts to determine if sufficient cause exists to support prosecution.
- Read, understand, and analyze legal documents, such as pleadings, affidavits, court orders, transcripts, statutory codes, and appellate decisions.
- Prepare a variety of legal documents, including memoranda summarizing court decisions, administrative board decisions, State statutes, ordinances, and opinions.
- Communicate with witnesses, experts, clients, and other interested parties for the performance of duties, and provide information to judges, attorneys, and the public concerning the work of the department.
- Interview clients to obtain factual, biographical, and financial information.
- Schedule witnesses for court appearances and interviews and prepare witnesses and clients in courtroom procedures and protocol.

**Education and Experience Information:**

**Option 1:**

- Have a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an approved or accredited law school.
- Be registered to take the first available bar following law school graduation.
- Be eligible for certification through the California State Bar (Bar) Practical Training of Law Students (PTLS) program at the time of appointment.

**Option 2:**

- Be currently enrolled in law school.
- Have successfully completed the second year or equivalent of law school.
- Be eligible for certification through the California State Bar (Bar) Practical Training of Law Students (PTLS) program at the time of appointment.

Candidates are required to provide a copy of their diploma, official or unofficial transcripts showing current enrollment, indicating grade level, and successful completion of the second year or equivalent in an accredited law school, or the degree and date conferred.

**License:**

- A valid California Class "C" Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation when needed to carry out job-related essential functions.

**Physical Expectations:**

- This position requires light physical effort, which may include occasional light lifting to a 10-pound limit, and some bending, stooping, or squatting. Considerable ambulation may be involved.

**Salary Information:**

- Hourly

**Additional Information:**

- The SLC program is run twice a year, in the Fall and Spring, and applications will be accepted starting Monday, October 3, 2022, at 8:00 . (PDT) until the needs of the service are met. Application filing may close without prior notice.
- The assessment process will consist of an evaluation of Training and Experience (T&E) weighted 100%, and candidates who achieve a passing score of 70% or higher will be placed on the eligible register for this exam for a period of six months.
- The resulting eligible register will be used to fill vacancies within the Los Angeles County Law Offices of the Public Defender.
- The position requires candidates to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment, with the option to request an exemption for qualifying medical or religious reasons during the onboarding process.
- The County of Los Angeles is a Fair Chance employer and is committed to promoting Anti-racism, Diversity, and Inclusion efforts to address inequalities and disparities among races.

**Application and Filing Information:**

- Applications must be filed online only and will not be accepted by . Mail, Fax, or in person.
- Applicants are responsible for providing a valid email address and reviewing all notifications sent. Important notifications, including application rejections, online test invitation letters, and notice of exam results, will be sent electronically to the email address provided on the application.
- Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and once the application and evaluation of Training and Experience (T&E) are reviewed, candidates will be notified of their exam results via email only.
- For questions regarding the job bulletin, application, and exam process, candidates can contact the Public Defender’s Exams Unit via email.

**Fair Chance Initiative:**

- The County of Los Angeles is committed to providing equal employment opportunity and is a Fair Chance employer. Applicants will not be asked to provide information about conviction history unless they receive a contingent offer of employment. The County will make an individualized assessment of whether a conviction history has a direct or adverse relationship with the specific duties of the job and consider potential mitigating factors.