Extra-Help Post Bar Law Clerk

Merced County; Merced (CA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Merced County is establishing an Extra-Help recruitment list for temporary legal staff to support criminal and civil case work. Extra-Help positions are not eligible for county benefits and are limited to 25 hours per week.

Duties include interviewing and advising victims and witnesses, researching laws, preparing pleadings, and assisting with various cases including misdemeanors. Candidates must be enrolled in law school or recently graduated and eligible for the California Bar.

Qualifications

• Current enrollment in law school, or a recent law school graduate eligible for the California State Bar Exam.
• Upon appointment, candidates must have completed the California State Bar Exam.
• Ability to interpret and apply criminal, constitutional and administrative law.

Responsibilities

• Interviews and advises victims and witnesses regarding prospective criminal or civil actions.
• Studies, interprets, and applies laws, court decisions and legal authorities for use in prosecuting, defending, or litigating cases.
• Prepares legal pleadings such as complaints, answers, demurrers, discovery and judgments.
• Assists with a variety of cases;which may include misdemeanor cases, and presentation of preliminary hearings.
• Performs related work such as preparing complaints, legal briefs, reports and correspondence.
• Actively seeks continuing legal education and training.

Skills

Legal research

Criminal law knowledge

Interviewing witnesses

Communication skills

Education

Law school enrollment or CA Bar eligibility

Job description

Examples of Duties

This recruitment is being established to obtain a current eligible list for Extra-Help vacancies. Extra-Help are not entitled to county benefits and are limited to 25 hours a week.

• Interviews and advises victims and witnesses regarding prospective criminal or civil actions.


• Studies, interprets, and applies laws, court decisions and legal authorities for use in prosecuting, defending, or litigating cases.


• Prepares legal pleadings such as complaints, answers, demurrers, discovery and judgments.


• Assists with a variety of cases;which may include misdemeanor cases, and presentation of preliminary hearings.


• Performs related work such as preparing complaints, legal briefs, reports and correspondence.


• Actively seeks continuing legal education and training, which may include reading, performing research, observing and seeking counsel from senior department attorneys, and attending trainings.

Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

• Interviews and advises victims and witnesses regarding prospective criminal or civil actions.


• Studies, interprets, and applies laws, court decisions and legal authorities for use in prosecuting, defending, or litigating cases.


• Prepares legal pleadings such as complaints, answers, demurrers, discovery and judgments.


• Assists with a variety of cases;which may include misdemeanor cases, and presentation of preliminary hearings.


• Performs related work such as preparing complaints, legal briefs, reports and correspondence.


• Actively seeks continuing legal education and training, which may include reading, performing research, observing and seeking counsel from senior department attorneys, and attending trainings.

Minimum Qualifications

Education:

Current enrollment in law school, or a recent law school graduate who is eligible for the California State Bar Exam or has taken the California State Bar Exam and is awaiting Bar results.

Upon appointment, candidates must have completed the California State Bar Exam.

Essential Functions

• Accurately interpret and apply criminal, constitutional and administrative law.


• Present statements of fact, law and argument clearly and logically.


• Communicate effectively with others in person, in the court, and over the telephone.


• Maintain legal case files.


• Operate a personal computer and other office equipment.


• Accurately prepare opinions, pleadings, briefs, responses, etc.


• Respond appropriately to situations.


• Maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or County regulations and meet deadlines under stressful conditions.


• Frequent use of depth perception, peripheral vision and color perception.


• Frequently use of hand-eye coordination; use of data entry device; repetitive hand and arm motion; normal dexterity, frequently holding and grasping.


• Occasionally lift and carry up to 40 pounds.


• Regular attendance is an essential function.

Knowledge of:

• Principles of criminal, constitutional and administrative law.


• Judicial procedures and the rules of evidence.


• Penal Code of the State of California and other penal code sections of other codes.


• Legal procedures and documents.


• Trial procedures and rules of evidence.


• Principles, practices, methods and materials of legal research.


• Rules of evidence.


• Research methods.

Ability to:

• Interpret and apply laws and legal authorities.


• Present statements of law, facts, and arguments clearly, logically, and forcefully, both in written and oral form.


• Interview witnesses and clients, including inmates of penal institutions, and reports on findings of facts.


• Accurately perform research.


• Work effectively with others.