Description:
Description:If you are interested in a challenging and dynamic legal position, the Fourth Judicial District Court, Johnson County, Wyoming, seeks to hire a Law Clerk/Staff Attorney to join the rest of the team supporting the work of Judge Benjamin Krven.
What You'll Be Doing: As a Staff Attorney, you will get the opportunity to attend hearings and jury trials, conduct professional legal research and provide critical support to Judge Kirven. In addition, you will be asked to work with Judge Kirven to craft memoranda, opinions, jury instructions, and orders. Your work will contribute to the judge's decision-making process, as an integral part of ensuring fair decisions based on the facts presented in diverse cases.
About Us: The District Court presides over a variety of cases, ranging from felony criminal matters to large civil cases, domestic relations, mental health, juvenile, and probate issues. The Court also hears appeals from lower court and administrative decisions, making a meaningful impact on the community. Our home is in the historic city of Buffalo, Wyoming, where the rolling Great Plains meet the towering peaks of the Bighorn Mountains. Buffalo offers a relaxed pace of life with a dep connection to Western history and a strong sense of community. Enjoy affordable living, uncrowded spaces, and easy access to world-class hiking, fishing, and year-round mountain adventures
Why Join Us? The Perks Are Fantastic! In addition to the challenge, the job comes with a competitive annual salary, and working with the Wyoming Judicial Branch comes with great benefits. As a valued member of the judicial staff, you will enjoy the State of Wyoming retirement pension, a 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, and an affordable health insurance package that includes health, dental, life, vision, disability insurance, ambulance coverage, pet insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program. Plus, you will get well-deserved paid time off to recharge and enjoy life outside the courtroom.
Your Compensation: Your salary will be determined based on your valuable work experience as an attorney, recognizing your expertise and contributions to the legal field. The hiring range is $70,000 - 90,000 annually for attorneys with less than 5 years of experience. For attorneys with 5-9 years of experience, the range is $90,000 - $101,552, and for 10 or more years of experience the range is $94,640 - $111,200 annually.
Responsibilities:
Job duties include the following:
- Review, search, and annotate laws, court decisions, documents, opinions, briefs, and related legal authorities.
- Extensive legal research of the law into issues arising during hearings and trials.
- Research and construct legal memoranda, statement of issues involved, opinions, and judgments for review by the judge.
- Observe judicial proceedings; attend court sessions to hear oral arguments, record necessary case information, and maintain notes attendant to court proceedings.
- Prepare jury instructions and verdict forms, assist with trial questions from counsel, ensure the courtroom is ready for trial, and ensure computer equipment is functioning properly.
- Track the docket including new and pending appeals.
- Compile references on laws and decisions necessary for legal determinations.
- Confer with the judge concerning legal questions, construction of documents, factual issues, and orders.
- Attend conferences with litigants, attorneys, and the judge; may conduct scheduling conferences for civil matters.
- Act as a liaison between the District Court and attorneys, the public, the clerk's office, the University of Wyoming Law School, and other stakeholders.
- Expected to perform such other duties as may be necessary, assigned, and/or directed.
Physical Demands:
This position requires mobility to work in a typical office setting. The applicant must have the ability to:
- Use standard office equipment.
- Sit at a desk or stand for prolonged periods and work on a computer.
- Stand and/or walk occasionally to frequently.
- Read printed materials and computer screens.
- Communicate in person, by e-mail, video, or over the phone.
- Travel.
Requirements:
Qualifications:
- Juris Doctor Degree from an ABA accredited law school.
- Be admitted to practice law in Wyoming within one year of appointment.
- Preference may be given to applicants with work experience as a staff attorney or practicing attorney.
Please attach a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to your Wyoming Judicial Branch application.
This position requires an ability to:
- Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, with a diverse group of people at all knowledge levels.
- Research complex legal problems or questions and apply legal principles.
- Be highly self-motivated and directed, with keen attention to detail.
- Provide analytical assessments and use effective problem-solving techniques.
- Provide objective guidance based on case law and statutory analysis and construction.
- Present research and articulate legal conclusions.
- Represent the court in a respectful manner.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
- Travel, including overnight stays.
- Organization and attention to detail.
- Time management with the ability to meet deadlines.
- Legal research and writing.
- Analytical thinking and problem-solving.
- Assessing, evaluating, prioritizing, and handling multiple tasks, projects, and demands.
- Listening and being open to different ideas and opinions.
- Establishing and maintaining effective work relations with peers and others having any interactions with the Court.
- Microsoft Office Suite.
- Wyoming statutes, court rules, policies, and procedures.
- General law, state law, established precedent, and sources of legal reference.
- Application of legal principles and legal analysis.
- Legal terminology and concepts.
- Principles and protocols for managing official documents and records.
- Westlaw and court case management systems.
- Employment is “AT WILL.”
- FLSA: Exempt.
- The Fourth Judicial District Court is an independent State Agency under the Wyoming Judicial Branch and a State of Wyoming employer.
