Law Clerk I - Post-Conviction Relief Act (“PCRA”) Unit

City of Philadelphia • Philadelphia, PA

5h • Onsite

About The Position

This is a full-time in-person position requiring work directly with court personnel, and judges in the Philadelphia Courts. The PCRA Law Clerk I is a full-time, in person position for the Court of Common Pleas, Criminal Trial Division. An employee in this class is responsible for professional legal work as a law clerk reviewing and drafting dispositions on petitions for relief under the Post-Conviction Relief Act (PCRA). The primary task of a law clerk in the PCRA Unit is to review motions and case history to draft 907 notices, orders, and opinions for review by the designated PCRA Judge. Work performed involves a greater degree of expertise due to the greater volume of cases for review and the need to function in a specialized area of law. By Order of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, effective September 1, 2005, all law clerks employed by the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania Courts are prohibited from appearing as counsel in the division/section of the court in which they work and are employed. Further, in courts with no formally established divisions or sections, the law clerks are prohibited from appearing as counsel in the court itself.

Requirements

• Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school.
• Three years of experience as a law clerk or practicing attorney preferred.
• Knowledge of the techniques and processes of legal research and preparation of memoranda, petitions, and similar instruments.
• Ability to prepare for judicial approval, 907 notices, orders, and opinions.
• Strong organizational, communication, and writing skills.
• Superior writing and analytical skills.
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position.
• Satisfactory clearance of a criminal background investigation.
• Must work in person (not remote).

Nice To Haves

• Three years of experience as a law clerk or practicing attorney

Responsibilities

• Review petitions and procedural history
• Research legal sources for briefs or opinions based on statutory law, decisions, and precedents of higher courts.
• Searches for and studies legal records and documents to obtain data applicable to cases under consideration.
• Prepares rough drafts of opinions.
• Prepares high-quality briefs, orders, and opinions by reviewing documents, files, and case correspondence and submit to assigned judicial authority for review and signature in a timely manner.
• Completes docketing and service of notices, orders, and opinions.
• Maintains files on case documents and all related correspondence.
• Completes administrative tasks associated with assigned caseload.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, members of the judiciary, court and departmental administrators, and diverse court clientele and members of the public.
• Performs related work as required.
• Provide general information about the assigned functions.
• Performs related work as required.

Benefits

• Unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTA’s Key Advantage program.
• 8 weeks of paid parental leave.
• Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Eligibility into the discounted medical plan through the wellness program.
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Generous retirement savings options.
• Eligibility to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program.
• Access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships (10% to 40% savings) with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees