Law Clerk I with Judge Andrew M. Jacobs

Arizona Court of Appeals•Phoenix, AZ

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One, Law Clerk I position is an exempt salaried position. Under the direction of the Chambers Judge, a Law Clerk’s primary responsibility is to review briefs and the court record and to prepare a pre-draft decision in assigned cases. This position presents a rare opportunity to work directly with experienced judges and staff lawyers on complex and fascinating legal issues, improve their writing and analytical skills, and make a lasting contribution to the law in Arizona.

Requirements

Must be a law school graduate or a current law school student expecting to graduate before the employment start date.
Bachelor’s degree (B.A. /B.S.).
Law degree from an accredited college/university and law school.
Knowledge and understanding of law, court procedures, and court systems.
Knowledge of legal research tools (Westlaw, Lexis Nexis, etc.).
Ability to work with professionalism in a busy environment.
High ethical standards: Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding pending court cases and business processes.
Ability to organize and manage multiple projects simultaneously and changes in responsibilities, duties, and procedures through cross training.
Superior verbal and written communication skills.
Superior research and analytical skills.
Show initiative and sound judgement in decision making.
Close attention to detail and commitment to accuracy.
Excellent interpersonal skills in a variety of situations.
Skilled in citation formatting.
Must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Nice To Haves

Applicants who have previously worked as a Law Clerk I for the Arizona Court of Appeals for at least one year may be eligible for hiring as a Law Clerk II.
Prior legal experience, including work as a lawyer, extern, or intern, is a plus.
Other professional experience, particularly involving research and writing is preferred.

Responsibilities

Review briefs and the court record and to prepare a pre-draft decision in assigned cases.
Write an initial draft decision, with varying degrees of input from the assigned judge.
Present the case to the panel of judges, including a summary of the relevant facts and an analysis of the relevant law.
Assist with post-conference editing and with cite-checking the draft.
Take notes on all cases presented, including cases presented by staff attorneys and other law clerks.
Analyze the record and legal issues and undertake legal research.
Draft proposed written decisions and submit to judges.
Participate in conference, answer judges’ questions, and attend oral arguments.
Access and utilize the Court’s case management system.
Access and utilize SharePoint and Office 365.
Act as bailiff for oral arguments.
Handle requests for special action relief.
Perform other projects as assigned by their judge(s), which may include case law or statutory research.
Assist in handling requests for special action relief.
Perform whatever is necessary to help the judge work efficiently and productively.
Share administrative responsibilities with the chamber’s Judicial Assistant.
May be assigned general supervisory responsibilities for externs working in their chambers.
Adhere to the ethical standards established by the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees.