Law Student - Government in El Monte, CA

Government

El Monte, CA

Law Student - Government in El Monte, CA

Law Student

No

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

**Job Responsibilities:**
The Senior Law Clerk (SLC) in the Public Defender's Office is a 16-week internship program designed to provide recent law school graduates with practical legal experience. The position offers the opportunity for advancement into a permanent role as a Deputy Public Defender I. During the internship, the SLC will engage in various legal tasks including:

- Conducting preliminary hearings and participating in case work in specialized areas like Post-Conviction, Law Enforcement Accountability, and Immigration.
- Assisting in the preparation of criminal cases and participating in hearings and jury trials under the supervision of senior Deputy Public Defenders.
- Conducting legal research, reviewing legal documents, and organizing reports and exhibits for trials.
- Researching, 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 to determine if sufficient cause exists to support prosecution.
- 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 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:**
- 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 a copy of their diploma or official/unofficial transcripts showing current enrollment and successful completion of the second year or equivalent in law school. They must also provide confirmation of their registration for the Bar Exam.

**Salary Information:**
The position offers a salary of hourly.

**Additional Information:**
- The SLC program is conducted 100% in-person.
- Candidates must have a valid California Class "C" Driver License or the ability to utilize alternative transportation methods for job-related functions.
- The position requires light physical effort, including occasional light lifting and some bending or stooping.
- 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.

**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 in the application materials. Candidates who achieve a passing score of 70% or higher will be placed on an eligible register for six months.

**Application Process:**
Applications must be filed online. Candidates should ensure that all information provided in their application is accurate and complete. Incomplete applications will be rejected. The application process includes providing relevant job experience and required documentation within ten business days of submitting the online application.

**Fair Chance Initiative:**
The County of Los Angeles is a Fair Chance employer and will not ask for a conviction history unless a contingent offer of employment is made. The County will make an individualized assessment of the conviction history in relation to the job duties.

**Diversity and Inclusion:**
The County values diversity, equity, inclusion, and access and encourages candidates from various backgrounds, including BIPOC, neurodiverse, individuals with disabilities, veterans, women, and LGBTQIA+ community members, to apply.

**Contact Information:**
For further inquiries or assistance with the application process, candidates can contact the Exams Unit via email at .