Definition:
The Law Clerk serves under the general direction of the Administrative Judge. This position provides legal support to the Family Magistrates and Juvenile Magistrates. This position is for a period of not less than one year but could also be a longer-term or permanent position.
Examples of Duties:
Conducts legal research, drafts legal memoranda, reviews and summarizes case files, assists with hearing preparation, drafts opinions, orders and judgments. The Law Clerk will have frequent interaction with parties, attorneys, and other courthouse personnel. In addition to assisting with family law and juvenile cases, the Law Clerk may assist with Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS) proceedings, tax sale proceedings, and other matters that are handled by the Magistrates.
Minimum Qualifications:
General minimum qualifications for this position are that the candidate must have completed as least two years of law school from an accredited law school. A J.D. from an accredited law school is preferred, and Bar admission is preferred, but neither is required.
Prior legal writing experience is preferred.
Upon application you may be requested to furnish writing samples, transcripts, and/or references.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of laws, rules, and court decisions. Knowledge of general office work such as filing and recording information. Knowledge of computer hardware and software. Excellent organizational and time management skills. Ability to perform legal research. Ability to read and understand law-related materials. Ability to compose orders and memoranda. Ability to apply policies, procedures, rules, regulations, and laws as required. Must have problem-solving abilities to quickly supply answers to time sensitive problems and questions and evaluate various situations. Must have the ability to work independently; ability to work effectively as a team player in a professional office, or ad hoc team/committee; skill in meeting and dealing with people in a courteous and tactful manner; skill in effective listening and interpersonal relations. Must be able to exercise a high degree of judgment, tact, diplomacy, and competence in dealing with judges, magistrates, public officials, the public and professional personnel; must possess knowledge of legal procedures pertaining to the department. Must adhere to strict rules of confidentiality regarding non-public information. Ability to perform all essential functions of this position.
Conditions of Employment:
This position is a non-merit, unclassified County-funded position with the Circuit Court for Baltimore County and is subject to the personnel policies and procedures adopted by the Court.