Law Clerk
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 in Lima, Ohio. The hub serves individuals in Allen, Hardin, and Putnam counties. The Law Clerk assists Assistant Public Defenders representing indigent trial-level clients facing misdemeanor and felony criminal charges in Common Pleas, Municipal, and Juvenile courts. Under the supervision of a licensed attorney, the Law Clerk reviews discovery and case materials, conducts client interviews and factual investigations, contacts witnesses, gathers evidence, and researches trial defenses. The role also involves drafting legal arguments, presenting research orally and in writing, accompanying staff attorneys to client visits and proceedings, and participating in team and agency meetings. The schedule is 20–40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, depending on availability.
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 such experience; or an undergraduate core program in a specific or related field of study and 12 months of such experience; or a graduate core program in a specific or related field of study; or equivalent qualifications.
- Job skills: Attorney/Legal, 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 motions and other pleadings.
- Conduct factual investigations and review and analyze pending cases.
- Review discovery materials, contact relevant witnesses, and gather relevant evidence.
- Under a licensed attorney’s supervision, conduct client interviews and review case materials.
- 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 and optional deferred compensation.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
Education Level
No Education Listed
