Law Clerk I

Water Resources Office; Kalispell (MT); On-site; USD 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

Paid vacation, sick leave and holidays

Public Service Loan Forgiveness - PSLF

Family friendly policies

Job summary

The Judicial Branch in Montana is hiring a Law Clerk I to support the Hon. Judge Paul Sullivan in Kalispell. This professional legal role involves researching, drafting memoranda and orders, and assisting with courtroom duties under supervision.

A one-year probationary period applies, with a background check and possible travel; evenings and weekends may be required. Minimum qualifications include a Juris Doctorate, legal research experience, and excellent writing.

Qualifications

• A Juris Doctorate is required.
• Legal research experience.
• Excellent writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform professional legal research and draft memoranda, opinions or orders for the judge.
• Prepare briefs, memoranda, statements of issues, and draft orders with recommendations.
• Maintain and compile references on laws and decisions relevant to cases.
• Attend court sessions to hear testimony and record case information.
• Transcribe court records if required and assist in jury instruction preparation.
• Maintain a law library collection and assist with court-related clerical tasks.

Skills

Legal research

Excellent writing

Clear communication

Transcribe audio

Education

Juris Doctorate

Tools

Word processing software

Legal research software

Job description

Job Description - Law Clerk I (26142789)

Position Title:

The Judicial Branch is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

An employee new to the Judicial Branch will serve a one-year probationary period. The successful applicant will be subject to a criminal background check. Travel may be required and working hours may include evenings & weekends.

Benefits of working for the Judicial Branch

• Work/life balance
• Family friendly policies
• Dedicated and caring colleagues
• Health coverage
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and Holidays (combination of up to 38 per year)
• Opportunities and room for professional growth
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness - Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF

Job Overview

• Law clerks serving more than two years may be moved to senior law clerk status. This is professional legal work performed for the Hon. Judge Paul Sullivan of the 11th Judicial District in Kalispell, Montana.
• Work involves the performance of professional legal research and other related clerical/administrative work in the preparation of memoranda, opinions, or orders for a judge concerning the cases before him/her. Work is performed under general supervision of a judge and is reviewed through conferences and written reports.
• Reviews, studies, research, and annotates laws, court decisions, documents, opinions, briefs, and related legal authorities.
• Prepares briefs, legal memoranda, statement of issues involved, draft opinions and orders including appropriate suggestions or recommendations to the judge.
• Compiles references on laws and decisions necessary for legal determinations.
• Confers with judge concerning legal questions, legal theories, construction of documents, and preparation of orders.
• Attends court sessions to hear testimony and record necessary case information; maintains records attendant to court proceedings; assists judge in the selection and preparation of jury instructions.
• May perform courtroom duties including recording court testimony or arguments and providing bailiff services.
• May transcribe the record of court proceedings if required by the position.
• May maintain a law library collection.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of general law, state law, established precedent, and sources of legal reference.
• Knowledge of trial court practices, rules, and procedures.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, with a diverse group of people.
• Ability to research complex legal problems or questions and apply legal principles.
• Ability to represent the court in a respectful manner.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with others.
• Ability to transcribe audio tapes, if required by the position.
• Skill in the operation of a computer with word processing and legal research software.
• Skill in the operation of electronic recording equipment to record trial court proceedings.

Minimum Qualifications

A Juris Doctorate is required.

Legal research experience.

Excellent writing skills.

Applicant Pool Statement : If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection. Training Assignment : Not Applicable

Salary: $31.14 - 31.14 Hourly

Telework Eligibility : Not Telework Eligible

• Benefits Package Eligibility : Health Insurance, Paid Leave & Holidays, Retirement Plan

Number of Openings

1

Employee Status : Regular

Schedule : Full-Time

Job Type

Standard

Shift

Day Job

Travel

Yes, 5 % of the Time

Posting Date

Nov 2, 2026, 11:18:53 PM

Closing Date (based on your computer's timezone) : Ongoing

Contact Name : Mandi Edlin | Contact Email : [e-mail] | Contact Phone : [phone]

State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.