Law Clerk

State of Ohio • Lima, OH

3d • $27 • Onsite

About The Position

The Office of the Ohio Public Defender is seeking a post-graduate professional to serve as a Law Clerk in the Northwest Regional Hub of its Trial Services Division, located in Lima, Ohio. The hub serves people in Allen, Hardin, and Putnam counties. The Law Clerk assists Assistant Public Defenders who represent indigent clients facing misdemeanor and felony criminal charges in Common Pleas, Municipal, and Juvenile courts. Work is performed under the supervision of a licensed attorney and includes client interviews, factual investigations, and review and analysis of case materials.

The schedule is 20–40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, depending on availability. The posting also lists work hours as 8 a.m.–4 p.m. This is a permanent, full-time, unclassified position. Final candidates must undergo a drug test, background check, and state income tax check.

Requirements

• 36 months of experience as a paralegal, legal assistant, legal writer, or in a closely related job field; or an associate core program in a specific or related field of study and 18 months of relevant experience; or an undergraduate core program in a specific or related field of study and 12 months of relevant experience; or a graduate core program in a specific or related field of study; or equivalent of the stated minimum class qualifications.
• Skills in attorney/legal work, collaboration, and written communication.

Responsibilities

• Conduct legal research on defined or potential issues in cases and present findings orally and in writing.
• Draft legal arguments for use in motions and other pleadings.
• Conduct factual investigations and review and analyze pending cases.
• Review discovery materials, contact relevant witnesses, and gather relevant evidence.
• Under the supervision of a licensed attorney, conduct client interviews and engage in factual investigations.
• Accompany staff attorneys to client visits, oral arguments, or other proceedings.
• Participate in department meetings, moots, roundtables, and agency-wide meetings.

Benefits

• Medical coverage.
• Free dental, vision, and basic life insurance premiums after completion of the eligibility period.
• Paid time off, including vacation, personal and sick leave, and 11 paid holidays per year.
• Childbirth, adoption, and foster care leave.
• Education and development opportunities, including Employee Development Funds and Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
• Public retirement systems, including OPERS, STRS, SERS, and HPRS, and optional deferred compensation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed