Description:
A law clerk candidate shall be a member of the Pennsylvania Bar or have a Juris Doctor or Bachelor of Laws degree.Job Summary:
The Law Clerk is responsible for assisting with the efficient and effective operation of the court system by examining legal issues facing the Court and providing assistance to the Judge as otherwise described. The Law Clerk assists the Judges, Court Administration, and other departments and staff as required/directed by the assigned Judge. The work includes interaction with the Courts, Court Administration, Department of Probation Services, Domestic Relations Section, Clerk of Courts, District Attorney's Office, Children and Youth Services, Public Defender's Office, Office of Judicial Support, and others regarding the processing, scheduling and administration of Court cases.
Duties:
The specific duties of a Law Clerk are including but are not limited to the following:
- Writing findings of fact and conclusions of law, detailed orders, legal memoranda and opinions analyzing substantive legal issues and verifying citations.
- Researching legal sources for briefs or opinions based on statutory law, court decisions and precedents of appellate courts.
- Reviewing pre- and post-trial memoranda, petitions, motions and other case matters for pertinent issues and applicable laws.
- Reviewing and analyzing legal records, transcripts, and documents to obtain relevant information applicable to cases under consideration.
- Attending Court with the Judge for Motions, Hearings and Trials and assist the Judge during courtroom proceedings.
- Reviewing and gathering all necessary filings and documents in preparation for trial, including but not limited to, creating the jury selection chart, verdict slip and jury instructions.
- Holding conferences with attorneys regarding outstanding issues and/or items necessary to allow for case settlement or advancement of trial.
- Reviewing correspondence and pleadings filed with the court, including emergency petitions, and summarize for the Judge.
- Responding to correspondence directed to the court, preserving case file documents, and maintaining a diary of time requirements and deadlines for all pending trial level and appellate matters.
- Communicating with counsel regarding logistics, case management and procedural requirements.
- Interacting with internal departments frequently responding to their inquiries.
- Interpreting and reviewing new legal rulings and procedures, maintain an updated legal library for the Judge.
- Answering telephone/email and responding to routine inquiries from public and attorneys.
- Administrative duties, including overseeing summer interns and unpaid externs.
