Law Clerk

County of Tulare•Visalia, CA

About The Position

The Tulare County District Attorney’s Office is establishing an employment list to fill its current and future Law Clerk vacancies. The anticipated life of the list is six months. The current vacancies are located in Visalia and Porterville. The Law Clerk assists with legal research and the preparation, review, analysis, and drafting of legal documents and case materials. The position may also involve interviewing witnesses. Candidates selected must pass a pre-employment drug and alcohol screening. A background investigation may be conducted, potentially with reinvestigation every 10 years for some positions. E-Verify may be required on the first day of employment for some positions, and some job classes may require a physical examination. This may be a qualifying position for student loan forgiveness through the College Cost Reduction and Access Act; only payments made after October 1, 2007, under a qualified repayment plan are eligible.

Requirements

Education equivalent to completion of one year of law school accredited by the Committee of Bar Examiners of the State Bar of California, or successful completion of the first-year law student's examination (California mini-bar).
Work and communicate effectively with people of various education and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Operate contemporary office equipment, including a computer, keyboard, and applicable electronic equipment.
Conduct legal research online.
Analyze and apply legal principles, facts, evidence, and precedents to legal problems.
Present statements of law, fact, and argument clearly.
Analyze factual deficiencies in view of legal principles.
Knowledge of basic legal terminology and documents.
Knowledge of the basic structure of courts, the judicial system, and local government roles, powers, and authorities.
Knowledge of legal research methods.
Knowledge of criminal or civil law and procedure, contracts, and administrative law, based on department assignment.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of legal citations to assist attorneys.
Knowledge of interviewing techniques.
Knowledge of trial procedures and rules of evidence.
Ability to make effective presentations in courtroom settings or local agency public meetings.

Responsibilities

Assist in preparing legal documents, including agreements, deeds, trial briefs, points and authorities on motions, writs, and appeals.
Study, interpret, and apply ordinances, statutes, regulations, court decisions, and other legal authority when preparing cases, opinions, and briefs.
Review, analyze, and draft contracts and other legal documents.
Examine case files to prepare witness subpoena lists.
May interview witnesses.