Law Student - Government in Chatsworth, CA

Government

Chatsworth, CA

Law Student - Government in Chatsworth, CA

Law Student

No

Job Title: Senior Law Clerk, Fall

Job Responsibilities:
The Senior Law Clerk (SLC) position within the organization is a 16-week internship program designed to provide a pathway to permanent employment as a Deputy Public Defender (DPD) I. This program is conducted twice a year, in the Fall and Spring. During the internship, participants will engage in various legal activities, including:

- Conducting preliminary hearings and participating in case work in specialized areas such as Post-Conviction, Law Enforcement Accountability, and Immigration.
- Assisting in the preparation of a wide variety of criminal cases, with the possibility of participating in hearings and jury trials under the mentorship of senior-level DPDs.
- Conducting legal research, reviewing legal documents, and organizing reports and exhibits for trials.
- Researching, interpreting, and applying laws, court decisions, and legal authorities in the preparation of cases, opinions, pleadings, and briefs.
- Organizing extensive legal discovery, reports, documents, and potential case exhibits.
- Conducting pretrial reviews of case files for witness subpoenas and other evidence gathered for trials.
- Conducting preliminary interviews of potential complainants in criminal cases and reporting findings to determine if sufficient cause exists for prosecution.
- Reading and analyzing legal documents such as pleadings, affidavits, court orders, transcripts, statutory codes, and appellate decisions.
- Preparing a variety of legal documents, including memoranda summarizing court decisions, administrative board decisions, state statutes, ordinances, and opinions.
- Communicating with witnesses, experts, clients, and other interested parties to provide information to judges, attorneys, and the public concerning the work of the department.
- Interviewing clients to obtain factual, biographical, and financial information.
- Scheduling witnesses for court appearances and interviews and preparing them for courtroom procedures and protocol.

Education and Experience Information:
To qualify for the Senior Law Clerk position, candidates must meet one of the following options:

Option 1:
- Possess 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 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 PTLS program at the time of appointment.

Candidates must provide documentation such as diplomas or transcripts to demonstrate they meet the requirements. Provisional licensees are not eligible for this examination.

Salary Information:
The position offers an hourly salary of .

Additional Information:
- A valid California Class "C" Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation is required to carry out job-related essential functions.
- The position requires light physical effort, including occasional light lifting up to 10 pounds, bending, stooping, or squatting, and considerable ambulation.
- The assessment process consists of an evaluation of Training and Experience (T&E) weighted 100%, based on the candidate's education and training as provided on the online employment application form and supplemental questionnaire.
- Successful candidates will be placed on an eligible register for six months, and the resulting register will be used to fill vacancies within the organization.
- Applications must be filed online, and communication regarding application status and exam results will be sent electronically. Candidates are responsible for providing a valid email address and reviewing all notifications.
- The organization is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access, encouraging candidates from diverse backgrounds, including BIPOC, neurodiverse individuals, persons with disabilities, veterans, women, and members of the LGBTQIA+ community, to apply.
- The County of Los Angeles is a Fair Chance employer and follows anti-racism, diversity, and inclusion efforts to address inequalities and disparities among races.
- All County workforce members must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment, with exemptions available for qualifying medical or religious reasons.