Government
Washington, DC
Law Student - Government in Washington, DC
Law Student
No
Job Title: Fall Law Clerk
Department: Trial
Job Responsibilities:
Fall Law Clerks at the organization are tasked with supporting attorneys across five of the agency's legal divisions. These divisions include Appeals, Civil Legal Services (general and special education), Special Litigation, and Trial divisions. Additionally, clerks directly represent clients in the Community Defender Division's Juvenile Services and Prisoner & Reentry Legal Services programs. The clerks are expected to engage in various legal tasks that may include research, drafting of legal documents, and potentially some client interaction depending on the division they are assigned to. Clerks participating in full semester programs may work between 35 to 40 hours per week, while most semester term clerks work 12 to 15 hours per week.
Education and Experience Information:
Applicants for the Fall Law Clerk position must be second or third-year law students possessing strong legal research, writing, and analytical skills. Law students who are on a part-time schedule may apply to work during their 1L fall. The position is open to those who are enrolled in a credit-bearing externship course, reflecting a structure that integrates practical experience with academic study.
Preferred candidates are those who have demonstrated a commitment to indigent criminal defense representation or have experience working with low-income children or adults in an advocacy or related role. This experience is indicative of a candidate's dedication to serving underrepresented communities and their ability to handle the responsibilities of the position effectively.
Salary Information:
The Fall Law Clerk position is a volunteer role. As such, it does not offer monetary compensation. Instead, it requires enrollment in a law school externship course, suggesting that the primary benefits of the position are educational and experiential rather than financial.
Additional Information:
The organization is recognized for its significant role in representing individuals in the District of Columbia's local criminal legal system, particularly those charged with serious criminal acts and eligible for court-appointed counsel. The organization is well-regarded for its resources, training programs, and institutional practice knowledge, which allows its lawyers to handle complex criminal cases effectively.
The position has a total of 45 vacancies, indicating a broad opportunity for students to gain practical legal experience in a supportive and resource-rich environment.
Application Process:
Interested applicants are required to submit a series of documents to be considered for the position. These include a cover letter, a resume, a list of three references (with contact information and a brief statement of how each reference can evaluate the applicant's skills), an unofficial law school transcript or typed grade list, and a legal writing sample not exceeding 12 pages. All application materials must be submitted online as a single consolidated PDF through the organization's employment web portal.
The application process underscores the importance of demonstrating both academic and practical competencies in law, as well as a commitment to public defense and advocacy.
Jul 09, 2025
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Apr 30, 2025
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