Extra Help Post Bar Law Clerk

Merced County; Merced (CA); On-site; USD 30,307,200 - 44,083,200; Part time

Job summary

Merced County is establishing a current eligible list for Extra-Help vacancies in the legal division. Extra-Help roles are not eligible for county benefits and are limited to 25 hours per week.

Responsibilities include interviewing victims and witnesses, researching laws, drafting pleadings, assisting with cases, and maintaining case files. Applicants should be enrolled in law school or a recent graduate eligible for the California State Bar Exam.

Qualifications

• 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.
• Ability to 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.

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, which may include reading, performing research, observing and seeking counsel from senior department attorneys, and attending trainings.

Skills

Legal research

Interviewing

Communication

Analytical thinking

Education

Law student status / bar eligibility

Tools

Job description

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.

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.

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.

• 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.