Law Student - Government in Downey, CA

Government

Downey, CA

Law Student - Government in Downey, CA

Law Student

No

Job Title: Senior Law Clerk

Job Responsibilities:
The Senior Law Clerk (SLC) position within the Public Defender's Office is a 16-week internship program designed to provide recent law school graduates with practical legal experience. Participants will have the opportunity to advance into permanent employment as a Deputy Public Defender I. The internship is offered twice a year, in the Fall and Spring. During the internship, SLCs will conduct preliminary hearings, participate in case work in specialized areas such as Post-Conviction, Law Enforcement Accountability, and Immigration, and assist in preparing a wide variety of criminal cases. They may also participate in hearings and jury trials under the mentorship and supervision of senior-level Deputy Public Defenders (DPDs). Additional responsibilities include:

- 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 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 participate in the examination 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 exam 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 Practical Training of Law Students (PTLS) program at the time of appointment.

Applicants 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.

Additional Requirements:
- 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.
- Light physical effort may be required, including occasional light lifting, bending, stooping, or squatting, and considerable ambulation.

Salary Information:
The position offers a salary of hourly.

Additional Information:
The recruitment is open competitive, and applications will be accepted starting October 3, 2022, until the needs of the service are met. Application filing may close without prior notice. 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 and supplemental documents. Successful candidates will be placed on an eligible register for six months following the date of promulgation. The resulting eligible register will be used to fill vacancies within the Law Offices of the Public Defender. Candidates must apply online, and applications will not be accepted via mail, fax, or in person.