Description:
Department/Division:Executive Department – Legal Division
Position Summary:
The City of Urbana is offering an exciting opportunity to serve as a municipal Law Clerk. This position will offer valuable exposure to a variety of municipal legal matters and the local legal community! The Law Clerk will assist with legal research and drafting documents related to matters such as contracts, real estate, urban planning, municipal finance, and economic development. This position requires a strong commitment to access to justice, a highly professional demeanor, sound judgement. and strong research, writing, and organizational skills.
The schedule will be up to15 hours per week. Flexible scheduling to accommodate academic commitments. The Law Clerk position is anticipated to be filled through the Spring 2026 semester. There is a possibility to extend.
Ideal Candidate:
- Demonstrated interest or experience in public service (e.g., volunteer for a non-profit or serving on a local board or commission)
- Maintains professionalism and focus even amid frequent interruptions or shifting demands
- Consistently adheres to schedules, timelines, and work plans
- Respects and maintains confidentiality of sensitive documents and information
- Consistently adheres to rules, policies, and ethical standards – even when no one is watching
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Develop and apply legal research and writing skills on a range of municipal law topics (e.g., real estate, planning and economic development, labor and employment, public safety, contracts, and municipal finances).
- Conduct research assist in preparation of court filings and internal legal memoranda with summaries and recommendations for the City Attorney to review.
- Assist with the transfer of documents to and from the courthouse.
- Assist with administrative tasks in the Legal Division, including providing customer service both in-person and over the phone.
- Maintain maximum security over confidential materials.
- Recognizes situations which are beyond own limits and directs them to the appropriate person.
- Maintains ongoing communication with supervisor, informing them of all pertinent problems, irregularities, new developments, changes and other important information within area of responsibility.
- Maintain a professional and courteous attitude with all people, including fellow employees, members of the public, elected officials and members of the local legal community.
- Complies with City policies and procedures.
- Report to work on time and as scheduled.
- Perform other duties as needed or assigned.
Required / Minimum Qualifications:
Any combination of education and experience that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying. A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
- A bachelor's degree and completion of the first year of law school at the time of employment.
- Knowledge of legal reference works and methods of legal research
- Ability to seek, analyze, appraise, and organize facts, evidence, and precedents.
For a complete list of duties and qualifications, please refer to the job description.
