Closing Date: 19th January, 2026
Description:
Job Description:Criminal Appeals - Law Clerkship
The mission of the Office of the Utah Attorney General is to uphold the constitutions of the United States and of Utah, enforce the law, provide counsel to state agencies and public officials, to work with law enforcement and protect the interests of Utah, its people, environment and resources.
With our team of highly qualified attorneys, investigators, and staff members, we ensure the law is upheld and the rights of all citizens – no matter how young or old – are preserved. We especially focus on protecting children. We also make every effort to educate the public about safety, justice, liberty, and equal opportunity.
As we see it, it is our duty to diligently work with integrity every day to fulfill these responsibilities as we serve the citizens of Utah. That is our entire focus. That is our mission.
The mission of Criminal Appeals is to defend just convictions, promote fair treatment for victims and defendants, and foster justice for the people of Utah. To this end, the division's attorneys represent the State of Utah in appeals statewide, from capital and felony convictions to juvenile delinquency adjudications. They also represent the State of Utah in state postconviction and federal habeas proceedings, including all death penalty challenges.
The criminal appeals division has immediate need for law clerks. The ideal candidate will be a 1L or 2L law student who has an interest in appellate law, participation in or preparation for law review and/or moot court, strong academic credentials, and some exposure to issues we deal with regularly (e.g., enrollment in criminal procedure and evidence and/or work with a judge, prosecutor's office, or defense attorney). Responsibilities will include performing citation checks; researching legal issues; and drafting memoranda, motions, and briefs. Our clerks also regularly argue cases before the Utah Court of Appeals.
We need clerks who can start work immediately and who can begin work after this semester. Because of the nature of our work, we expect our clerks to commit to working in our office until the end of their next school year.
Law clerks work part-time at a beginning rate of $26/hour for 1st-year law students, $28/hr for 2nd-year law students, and $30/hr for 3rd-year law students or recent graduates.
Your application must include (1) an unofficial law school transcript, (2) a writing sample, and (3) at least one letter of recommendation. You may include anything else you feel would help us in considering your application. If you have any questions about work in the criminal appeals division, contact Tanner Hafen, trhafen@agutah.gov.
Responsibilities:
- Drafts litigation working documents; prepares documents consisting of concise decisions based upon facts of case interpretations of law and compliance with state and federal standards.
- Evaluates all the information to determine a case's status.
- Monitor, track and follow up on documentation, case files or other assignments to ensure appropriate timelines are met and action completed.
- Prepares cases by conducting legal research and gathering evidence.
- Reviews cases, applications, files, records, etc., to determine action to be taken.
Qualifications:
(includes knowledge, skills, and abilities required upon entry into position and trainable after entry into position)
- The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
- The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
- The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
- The ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
- The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
- The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
- Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
- Communicating effectively verbally and in writing.
- Talking to others to convey information effectively.
- Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, and agency rules.
Supplemental Information:
- Risks found in the typical office setting, which is adequately lighted, heated and ventilated, e.g., safe use of office equipment, avoiding trips and falls, observing fire regulations, etc.
- Typically, the employee may sit comfortably to perform the work; however, there may be some walking; standing; bending; carrying light items; driving an automobile, etc. Special physical demands are not required to perform the work.