Job Title: Senior Law Clerk, Spring
Job Responsibilities:
The Senior Law Clerk (SLC) position at the organization’s Public Defender's Office is a 16-week internship program designed to provide recent law school graduates with practical legal experience. This program is conducted twice a year, in the Fall and Spring, and offers a pathway to permanent employment as a Deputy Public Defender (DPD) I. During the internship, participants will engage in a variety of responsibilities under the mentorship and supervision of senior-level DPDs. Key duties include:
- Conducting legal research, 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 for the performance of duties, 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 educational and experience requirements:
Option 1:
- Possess a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an approved or accredited law school.
- Be registered to take the first available bar following the law school graduation date.
- Be eligible for certification through the California State Bar (Bar) Practical Training of Law Students (PTLS) program at the time of the 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 the appointment.
Candidates must provide a copy of their diploma or official/unofficial transcripts indicating current enrollment, 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 per hour. This is a full-time position.
Additional Information:
- Candidates must register as a law student with the California State Bar and be eligible for PTLS certification.
- A valid California Class "C" Driver License or the ability to utilize an alternative method of transportation is required for job-related essential functions.
- The position requires light physical effort, including occasional light lifting to a 10-pound limit, and some bending, stooping, or squatting.
Assessment Process:
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 Los Angeles County Online Employment Application form, Supplemental Questionnaire, and other required supporting documents. Candidates who achieve a passing score of 70% or higher on the T&E evaluation will be placed on the eligible register for a period of six months.
Application and Filing Information:
- Applications must be filed online only.
- Important notifications regarding the application status, exam results, and other pertinent information will be sent electronically to the email address provided on the application.
- Candidates must provide any relevant job experience and complete the application and Supplemental Questionnaire thoroughly.
- All information included in the application materials is subject to verification at any point during the examination and hiring process.
Special Information:
- The organization is a Fair Chance employer and supports the Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion (ARDI) Strategic Plan.
- 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.
For additional information and to apply, candidates should visit the Los Angeles County career portal and follow the application instructions provided.
