Law Student - Government in Compton, CA

Government

Compton, CA

Law Student - Government in Compton, CA

Law Student

No

**Job Title: Senior Law Clerk, Fall**

**Job Responsibilities:**
The Senior Law Clerk (SLC) position is part of the Public Defender's Office in the organization and offers a 16-week internship program. This program provides a unique opportunity for advancement into permanent employment as a Deputy Public Defender (DPD) I. The internship occurs twice a year, in Fall and Spring. During the 16-week rotation, the responsibilities include:
- Conducting preliminary hearings and participating in case work in specialized areas such as Post-Conviction, Law Enforcement Accountability, and Immigration.
- Assisting in preparing a variety of criminal cases and participating in hearings and jury trials under the mentorship of senior-level DPDs.
- Conducting legal research and reviewing legal documents.
- Organizing extensive reports and exhibits for trials.
- Researching, studying, interpreting, and applying laws, court decisions, and other 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 on findings of facts to determine if sufficient cause exists to support prosecution.
- Reading, understanding, 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, and providing 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 witnesses and clients in 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:**
- 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 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 a diploma, official or unofficial transcripts indicating grade level, and successful completion of the second year or equivalent in an approved or accredited law school.

**Salary Information:**
The salary for the Senior Law Clerk position is hourly.

**Additional Information:**
- Candidates must have 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.
- The 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.
- The assessment process consists of an evaluation of Training and Experience (T&E) weighted 100%.
- Candidates who meet the requirements and achieve a passing score of 70% or higher on the T&E evaluation will be placed on an eligible register for six months.
- The resulting eligible register will be used to fill vacancies within the organization.

**Application and Filing Information:**
- Applications must be filed online only. Applications sent by . Mail, Fax, or in person will not be accepted.
- Applicants are required to verify their email address and ensure all profile information is correct.
- Important notifications, including application rejections, online test invitations, and exam results, will be sent electronically to the email address provided on the application.
- Applicants must upload and attach all applicable documents at the time of filing or send via email to the specified department email within ten business days of submitting their online application.
- The organization is committed to promoting Anti-racism, Diversity, and Inclusion efforts to address inequalities and disparities amongst races.

**Special Information:**
- The County of Los Angeles is a Fair Chance employer and will make an individualized assessment of a candidate's conviction history as it relates to the job.
- All County workforce members must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 as a condition of employment, with exemptions for qualifying medical or religious reasons.
- The organization encourages candidates from diverse backgrounds and communities to apply, as it values diversity, equity, inclusion, and access within its organization.