Closing Date: 1st November, 2026
Description:
The Clerk provides professional level legal work as a research assistant supporting The Honorable Natasha Taylor-Smith and other judges of the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania. The Judicial Law Clerk work involves providing members of the judiciary with assistance in preparation of writing briefs, opinions and similar material.The ideal candidate for this role is a graduate of an accredited law and is strongly interested in criminal law, especially major felony cases including but not limited to drug possessions, weapons possession, violent crimes, and sexual assault.
By Order of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, effective September 1, 2005, all law clerks employed by judges of the courts of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania are prohibited from appearing as counsel in the division/section of the court in which the judge by whom they are employed serves. Further, in courts which have no formally established divisions or sections, the law clerks are prohibited from appearing as counsel in the court itself.
Candidates must submit a resume and writing sample by 11:59 PM on 11/01/2026.
Job Duties:
- Researches legal sources for briefs or opinions based on statutory law, decisions and precedents of higher courts.
- Searches for and studies legal records and documents to obtain data applicable to cases under consideration.
- Prepares rough drafts of opinions.
- Maintains file on case documents and all related correspondence.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school.
- Membership of the Bar of the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is not a requirement for Law Clerk 1; however, if you are a current member of the Bar, you must be and remain in good standing.
- Superior writing and analytical skills.
- Must work in person (not remote).
- Appropriate experience in the use of Windows Software applications.
- Strong interest in criminal law.
- Knowledge of Pennsylvania criminal procedure and law preferred.
- Demonstrated commitment to public interest is a plus.
- Strong academic background.
- Satisfactory clearance of a criminal background investigation.
- Ability to perform the essential functions of the position.
