Law Clerk - Division 41

Jackson County, Missouri•Kansas City, MO

About The Position

The Law Clerk provides legal analysis and support to the judge or commissioner to help ensure the efficient operation of Division 41. The role conducts legal research and supports management of the division’s pending motions and open case inventory, helping resolve issues arising during conferences, hearings, and trials and meet court time standards for rulings and case dispositions. It also provides courtroom, administrative, and clerical support and serves as a liaison for internal and external contacts with the division. The position is directly supervised by the division’s judge or commissioner, who is also the appointing authority. At the judge or commissioner’s discretion, the Law Clerk may provide supervision or instruction to others and may share responsibility for directly supervising law school interns. The role may involve courtroom surveillance and security, jury management, including supervising sequestered juries that may require overnight stays and irregular work hours, and other courtroom duties. The job description notes that it does not specify physical requirements; those may be determined by the appointing authority. Candidates selected for employment are subject to background screening, with other checks potentially required depending on the role’s responsibilities.

Requirements

Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school.
Considerable knowledge of court procedures and policies, legal documents, laws, and legal factors pertaining to the court.
Knowledge of business and legal technical English, spelling, punctuation, and Microsoft Office applications.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, verbally and in writing, in a tactful and courteous manner with diverse parties.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders from diverse cultures and backgrounds.
Ability to produce clear, complete, and logical reports, letters, memoranda, and legal documents.
Ability to apply legal principles and specialized knowledge to individual cases and problems.
Ability to analyze, appraise, and organize facts, evidence, and precedents and prepare written recommendations or opinions.
Ability to exercise good judgment and make independent decisions in accordance with general policy and objectives.
Ability to deal effectively with the public and create a helpful atmosphere.
Selected candidates are subject to background screening; additional checks may apply depending on the responsibilities of the position.
A high school diploma or GED is required if equivalent education and experience are substituted for the stated minimum qualification.

Responsibilities

Conduct legal research and analysis and prepare memoranda and orders concerning motions, pleadings, summary judgments, and legal correspondence.
Provide the judge or commissioner with facts, law, legal conclusions, and recommendations to resolve legal issues in pending cases.
Monitor work queues, run statistical reports, track pending motions and filings, and manage the division’s open case inventory.
Track deadlines for responsive pleadings and determine whether issues are ripe for ruling.
Support compliance with state and local court rules through written or oral communication or court rulings as directed by the judge.
Keep the division’s legal publications and materials up to date and review training resources and court policies as required.
Inform the judge or commissioner of case activity and scheduling concerns.
Set hearings, conferences, reviews, meetings, and trials; docket judicial actions; and complete work needed to move cases to timely conclusion.
Contact attorneys to request proposed orders, judgments, or supplemental documents.
Run reports to track new cases assigned to the division and cases without future hearings.
Prepare the courtroom and, when required, monitor and maintain courtroom security during proceedings.
Check courtroom electronic equipment, arrange necessary repairs or adjustments, and ensure proceedings are recorded as required.
Record appearances, open and close court sessions, and administer and take oaths.
Instruct jurors, monitor jury activities, and report unusual activity or information to the judge.
Arrange jury meals, provide information to jurors, contact jurors’ employers, and supervise sequestered juries, including possible overnight stays and irregular hours.
Arrange interpreter services.
File and scan documents, make copies, create requisitions, pick up supplies, run errands, and perform related clerical tasks.
Maintain electronic case records through preservation, scanning, data entry, and docketing pleadings, orders, and judgments.
Communicate with attorneys, parties, agency representatives, and court departments and staff as directed.
Facilitate chambers hearings, conferences, meetings, and telephone conferences.
Consult with the judge or commissioner and the court public information officer regarding media requests.
Serve on assigned teams and committees, cross-train for other jobs, and work on special projects as assigned.
Perform other duties as required.