Law Clerk - Lima, OH

State of Ohio; Lima (OH); On-site; USD 30,163 - 42,959; Full time

Job summary

The State of Ohio is seeking a Law Clerk in the Northwest Regional Hub (NWRH) of the Trial Services Division located in Lima, OH. The clerk will assist Assistant Public Defenders who represent indigent trial‑level clients facing misdemeanor and felony charges in Common Pleas, Municipal, and Juvenile courts within Allen, Hardin, and Putnam Counties.

Responsibilities include reviewing discovery, conducting legal research, interviewing clients, drafting motions, accompanying staff attorneys to

Qualifications

• 36 months experience as a paralegal, legal assistant, legal writer, or closely related field.
• Or associate core program in a specific or related field of study; 18 months experience.
• Or undergraduate core program in a specific or related field of study; 12 months experience.
• Or graduate core program in a specific or related field of study.
• Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications for Employment noted above.

Responsibilities

• Review discovery material and conduct legal research for trial defenses.
• Conduct client interviews, factual investigations, and review case material; analyze pending cases.
• Draft legal arguments for motions and pleadings.
• Conduct factual investigations, review, and analysis of pending cases.
• Accompany staff attorneys to client visits, oral arguments, or other proceedings.
• Participate in department meetings, moots, roundtables, and agency‑wide meetings.
• Present legal research findings orally and in writing.

Job description

Law Clerk – Lima, OH

Office of the Ohio Public Defender (OPD) seeks a post‑graduate professional to serve as a Law Clerk in the Northwest Regional Hub (NWRH) of the Trial Services Division located in Lima, OH. The clerk will assist Assistant Public Defenders who represent indigent trial‑level clients facing misdemeanor and felony criminal charges in Common Pleas, Municipal, and Juvenile courts within Allen, Hardin, and Putnam Counties.

Responsibilities

• Review discovery material and conduct legal research for trial defenses.
• Conduct client interviews, factual investigations, and review case material; analyze pending cases.
• Draft legal arguments for motions and pleadings.
• Conduct factual investigations, review, and analysis of pending cases.
• Accompany staff attorneys to client visits, oral arguments, or other proceedings.
• Participate in department meetings, moots, roundtables, and agency‑wide meetings.
• Present legal research findings orally and in writing.

Schedule and Compensation

20‑40 hours per week Monday‑Friday, depending on availability. Compensation: $26.54 per hour.

Qualifications

Minimum qualifications include:

• 36 months experience as a paralegal, legal assistant, legal writer, or closely related field.
• Or associate core program in a specific or related field of study; 18 months experience.
• Or undergraduate core program in a specific or related field of study; 12 months experience.
• Or graduate core program in a specific or related field of study.
• Or equivalent of Minimum Class Qualifications for Employment noted above.

Job skills: Attorney/Legal, Active Learning, Analyzation, Collaboration, Written Communication.

Benefits

• Medical coverage.
• Free dental, vision, and basic life insurance premiums after eligibility period.
• Paid time off: vacation, personal, sick leave and 11 paid holidays per year.
• Childbirth, adoption, and foster care leave.
• Education and development opportunities.
• Public retirement system and optional deferred compensation (Ohio Deferred Compensation).

ADA Statement

Ohio is a disability inclusion state and strives to be a model employer of individuals with disabilities. The State of Ohio is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws.

Drug‑Free Workplace

The State of Ohio is a drug‑free workplace which prohibits the use of marijuana (recreational marijuana/non‑medical cannabis). This position may be subject to additional restrictions pursuant to the State of Ohio Drug‑Free Workplace Policy (HR‑39).

Additional Notes

• Applicants may be required to undergo a drug test, background check, and state income tax check.
• Applicants with a positive drug test will not be offered employment.
• This position serves at the pleasure and discretion of the State Public Defender and has an unclassified status per Ohio Revised Code 124.11 (A) (29).