Pro Se Law Clerk

United States Courts; Cincinnati (OH); Remote; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

United States Courts seeks a Pro Se Law Clerk to provide legal advice and assist the Court with pro se and prisoner petitions and complaints. The role includes screening filings, drafting recommendations, performing legal research, and liaising with litigants and officials. Telework is eligible for those outside the Ohio Southern District.

The position supports multiple Judicial Officers and Divisions, monitors case progress, and helps prepare reports reflecting court activity and efficacy.

Responsibilities

• Perform substantive screening after filing of all Pro Se and prisoner petitions and motions, including state habeas petitions and civil rights complaints.
• Draft appropriate recommendations and orders for the Judicial Officer's signature.
• Review complaints, petitions, and pleadings to determine issues involved and basis for relief.
• Conduct legal research as required to assist the Court in preparing opinions.
• Maintain liaison between the Court and litigants; communicate with U.S. Attorneys and other officials as needed.
• Evaluate procedures and propose innovations to improve handling of petitions and pleadings.
• Monitor the docket of pending pro se and prisoner litigation and advise the Court on actions needed.
• Compile statistics and prepare periodic reports reflecting case status and flow.

Job description

Overview of the Position This position is eligible for telework for those residing outside of the Ohio Southern District. The Pro Se Law Clerk provides legal advice and assistance to the Court in connection with Pro Se and prisoner petitions and complaints. A Pro Se Law Clerk may work on cases assigned to all Judicial Officers and Divisions of the Court. There is daily interaction with the Chief Magistrate Judge, Magistrate Judges and/or other law clerks concerning legal, non-legal and court-related issues.The responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited to performing substantive screening after filing of all Pro Se and prisoner petitions and motions, including state habeas corpus petitions, motions to vacate sentence, and civil rights complaints; drafting appropriate recommendations and orders for the Judicial Officer's signature; reviewing all complaints, petitions, and pleadings that have been filed to determine issues involved and basis for relief; performing research, as required, to assist the Court in preparing opinions; maintaining liaison between the Court and litigants; corresponding with other officials, such as U.S. Attorney, as required; evaluating present procedures to determine new innovations for increasingthe effectiveness in handling complaints, petitions, and pleadings; reviewing the docket of pending Pro Se and prisoner litigation to assure the proper progress of such cases and advising the Court of those cases where action by the Court is appropriate; compiling statistics and preparing periodic reports, as required, that reflect the status and flow of cases; identifying problem areas, makes recommendations, and offers solutions, as required by the Court, Administrative Office, and other officials; keeping abreast of changes in the law to aid the Court in adjusting to new legislation and case law in prisoner litigation and habeas areas; providing information, guidance, and advice to judicial officers, and other personnel working in the pro se area; and advising appropriate personnel on the status of particular cases. Other duties may be performed as required.

The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.