Staff Attorney / Law Clerk

Ada County•Boise, ID

About The Position

Ada County Trial Court Administration is hiring a Law Clerk or Staff Attorney to provide substantive and procedural legal advice and support to District Judge(s) in the handling and disposition of court cases. Candidates may be hired at either level depending on qualifications. A Law Clerk performs advanced legal work under close judicial supervision and has not yet passed the Idaho State Bar exam. A Staff Attorney has passed the Idaho State Bar exam and must be a member in good standing of the Idaho State Bar. The role offers hands-on courtroom experience, direct mentorship from the bench, and an opportunity to contribute to Idaho’s judicial system. The position works within Ada County’s Fourth Judicial District. The Trial Court Administrator oversees the district’s administrative responsibilities, including facilities management, liaison work with agencies, media, and the public, and developing and carrying out policies to enhance court system performance.

Requirements

For the Law Clerk level: graduate of an accredited law school with a Juris Doctor or equivalent graduate degree.
Knowledge of principles and practices of a trial court.
Knowledge of types of legal instruments and methods of preparing them.
Strong legal research, analysis, and writing skills.
Ability to manage time effectively and meet tight deadlines.
Ability to communicate legal issues effectively.
Ability to analyze and prepare legal documents.
Ability to maintain effective working relationships.
For the Staff Attorney level, in addition to the Law Clerk requirements: passed the Idaho State Bar exam and be a member in good standing of the Idaho State Bar.

Responsibilities

Study and evaluate motions and briefing submitted by parties in pending court cases.
Conduct legal research and analyze issues implicated in motions and briefing to determine appropriate disposition.
Draft bench memoranda for judges before motion hearings, setting out legal analysis and recommending disposition of legal issues.
Prepare jury instructions before trial.
Attend trials, evidentiary hearings, and other substantive motion hearings.
Meet with judges after hearings to discuss disposition of legal issues.
Draft orders and memorandum decisions announcing judicial decisions on motions and other matters before the court.
Stay current on new state and federal legal decisions and legislative changes affecting pending cases.
Assist in managing judges’ calendars and prioritizing issues for hearings, especially time-sensitive matters.
Independently handle applications for default judgment and conduct debtor examinations.
Communicate with legal counsel and self-represented litigants about case management and procedural issues as needed.
Perform related functions as assigned.