Law Clerk - Juvenile Court Administrative Office

This posting is for a law clerk position in Eastern Massachusetts. All law clerks are assigned by the Manager of Legal Research Services, with the final approval of the Chief Justice, to rotations. In Eastern Massachusetts, the law clerks may be assigned to any of the following eight divisions: Bristol, Barnstable, Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, and Worcester. The rotation system gives law clerks the opportunity to work with numerous judges and to gain a broader understanding of the work of the A Massachusetts State Agency.

New law clerks are required to report to their assigned courthouses in-person for the first three months. After that period, they may begin a hybrid work schedule at the discretion of the department head and pursuant to Trial Court Policy.

Please read the following instructions carefully before starting the Trial Court online application process. Applications that do not comply with the following, may be screened out.

1. Resumes: Resumes must be converted to PDFs (Microsoft Word and text documents will not be accepted) and uploaded with the online application. Resumes should not include a list of references.

2. GPA: Unless your school does not provide a GPA, you must include your cumulative law school GPA on your resume.

3. Letters of Recommendation: Letters of recommendation are optional. Applicants who choose to submit a letter of recommendation must do so via the online application process. Therefore, before starting the online applications, applicants must have PDFs of any letters of recommendation ready to upload. Please do not submit letters of recommendation by other means, such as mail, email, fax, or hand-delivery.

4. Writing Sample: Applicants shall submit a writing sample in response to the question listed at the end of the job posting. Applicants must submit the writing sample via email to the following address: admin-jccallctr@jud.state.ma.us. The sample must be submitted by email only (regular mail, fax or walk-ins will not be accepted) and needs to be sent by 11:55p.m. on the date that the applications start being reviewed (May 20, 2024).

5. Other Materials: Applicants selected for interviews should be prepared to submit additional materials if requested, including a statement of interest, an official law school transcript and an additional writing sample.

Position Summary: The law clerk is responsible for performing legal research and writing assignments to assist the judges of the A Massachusetts State Agency. Law clerks work directly with the judges, and under the supervision of the Manager of Legal Research Services, Assistant Deputy Court Administrator, and the Chief Justice.

A reliable car and the willingness to travel to courthouses throughout the Commonwealth are requirements of the position.

A judicial clerkship in the A Massachusetts State Agency offers a unique, exciting, and rewarding environment in which to begin a legal career. A Massachusetts State Agency has general jurisdiction over delinquency, youthful offender, children requiring assistance, care and protection, guardianship, and adoption proceedings.

Duties:
Assists judges in matters before the court by:
Discussing legal issues with judges; Performing careful and accurate legal research and analysis, using both online and book resources; Clearly and concisely conveying results of research and analysis to judges, orally and in writing; Preparing well-written and error-free legal research memoranda, and drafting findings of fact, conclusions of law, rationales, judgments and memoranda of decision; Completing assignments in a timely manner and within deadlines established by judges; Performing additional legal research and analysis and further review and revision of written work products as appropriate; and Attending hearings, portions of trials, and other courtroom proceedings, as needed.

Minimum Requirements:
These are the minimum requirements necessary to apply for a position of Law Clerk:

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school or eligibility to sit for the Massachusetts bar exam, as of the start of the clerkship.
• Excellent legal writing and communication skills.
• Excellent legal research and analytical skills, using both online and book resources.
• High professional and ethical standards.
• Access to a reliable car and the willingness and ability to travel to courthouses as assigned.
• Experience and knowledge in the use of personal computers, including word processing programs such as Microsoft Word and legal research services such as Lexis or Westlaw.
• Demonstrated ability to follow written and oral instructions.
• Demonstrated ability to manage, prioritize, and complete simultaneous assignments from various judges.
• Demonstrated ability to work well independently while maintaining productivity and demonstrating good judgment.
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and otherwise complete assignments in a timely manner.
• Demonstrated ability to work well with others in a professional setting, including judges, managers, court staff, and other law clerks.
• Genuine commitment to serving the full term of the clerkship.

Additional preferred qualifications include:

• Current legal practice or intent to practice law in Massachusetts.
• Substantial legal research and writing experience, including prior experience as a judicial intern for a Juvenile Court judge
• Courses in juvenile law, research assistant positions, prior work experience in the areas of juvenile law and clinical placements.
• Familiarity with legal research resources beyond Westlaw and Lexis.
• Demonstrated commitment to government or public service.
• The Juvenile Court invites well-rounded and distinguished recent law school graduates and practicing attorneys to apply for the clerkship positions.
• Solid academic credentials are important, however, there are no rigid requirements regarding class rank or standing.
• All law clerks must reside in Massachusetts for the duration of the law clerk term.