Pro Se Law Clerk

U.S. Courts•Erie, PA

12d

About The Position

Pro Se Law Clerks provide legal advice and assistance to the Court in matters involving prisoner petitions and complaints, immigration habeas corpus petitions, and state death penalty habeas corpus petitions. The position handles prisoner habeas corpus and civil rights actions, in forma pauperis applications, immigration habeas corpus petitions, and motions to vacate federal death sentences. Other duties may be assigned by the Court. Appointment and continued employment are determined year to year and are subject to funding based on the Court’s caseload. The selected candidate must undergo a background investigation, including criminal history, credit, and FBI fingerprint checks, and receive a favorable employment suitability determination. Employees must adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents seeking U.S. citizenship. U.S. Courts positions are excepted-service, at-will appointments. The selected applicant’s starting salary depends on qualifications, legal work experience, bar membership, and duty station. The position may be performed in person or, in some circumstances, fully remotely; in-person employees may be approved for occasional telework under the Court’s policy.

Requirements

Be a law school graduate, or be certified as having completed all law school studies and requirements while awaiting conferment of the degree, from a law school of recognized standing.
Demonstrate at least one of the following: standing in the upper third of the class at an ABA- or AALS-accredited law school; service on the editorial board of such a school’s law review; graduation from such a school with an LLM degree; or legal studies proficiency deemed equivalent by the appointing judge.
For JSP-12 or higher, be a member of the bar of a state, territory, or federal court of general jurisdiction.
Meet the applicable legal work experience requirement: JSP-11 requires 0 years; JSP-12 requires 1 year; JSP-13 requires 2 years; JSP-14 requires 3 years.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents seeking U.S. citizenship.
Submit to the required background investigation and receive a favorable employment suitability determination.
Adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees.
Use electronic funds transfer for payroll deposit.

Nice To Haves

Background in prisoner habeas corpus and civil rights actions, immigration-related writs of habeas corpus, death penalty petitions, and motions to vacate federal death sentences.
Excellent research, writing, and analytical skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Ability to prioritize work.
Ability to work collaboratively and independently, efficiently and effectively, in a high-volume environment.
High ethical standards and a positive work attitude.
Qualifying legal work experience, such as progressively responsible experience in the practice of law, legal research, legal administration, or equivalent experience after law school graduation.
Demonstrated legal-study accomplishment or proficiency equivalent to the listed academic qualifications; examples include scholarly publication, high-level academic honors, moot court achievement, participation in a law-school-sanctioned legal aid or clinical program, or qualifying law clerk experience.

Responsibilities

Substantively screen filed prisoner and inmate petitions and motions, including state habeas corpus petitions, motions to vacate sentence, civil rights complaints, and immigration petitions and motions.
Draft recommendations and proposed orders for the Court’s review.
Review complaints, petitions, and pleadings to identify the issues and basis for relief.
Conduct legal research to assist the Court in preparing opinions.
Maintain liaison between the Court and litigants.
Evaluate procedures and identify innovations to improve the handling of pro se complaints, petitions, and pleadings.
Review pending prisoner, inmate, immigration, and death penalty litigation dockets to ensure proper case progress and advise the Court when action is appropriate.
Compile statistics and prepare periodic reports on the status and flow of cases.
Identify problem areas, make recommendations, and offer solutions as required by the Court, Administrative Office, and other officials.
Keep abreast of changes in pro se law, immigration habeas cases, and applicable capital habeas law.
Provide information, guidance, and advice to the Court and staff working in the pro se area.
Advise appropriate personnel on case status.
Provide judges and court staff with information and guidance on legal issues unique to capital habeas and prisoner rights cases.
Perform other related duties as assigned.