Law Clerk

Law Clerk

Salary

$25.52 Hourly

Location

On-site at Champaign City Building, IL

Job Type

Part Time

Department

Legal

Opening Date

09/18/2026

Closing Date

10/4/2026 11:59 PM Central

FLSA

Non-Exempt

Bargaining Unit

NBU

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

Position Overview

Are you looking for an exciting and engaging opportunity to apply theoretical legal principles to a variety of real-world situations? Do you have a passion for public service? If so, then consider applying to be a Law Clerk in the City of Champaign Legal Department.

Current openings are for the remainder of the 2026-2027 school year. The starting date for this position will be on or around November 2, 2026. This position is part-time (up to 15 hours a week) during the school year with the optional possibility of up to 40 hours per week during school breaks.

Job Responsibilities

Responsibilities of Position

Law Clerks develop and apply legal research and writing skills to a variety of topics related to municipal law. Clerks delve into research topics relating to municipal law such as real estate, planning and economic development, labor and employment, public safety issues, contracts, and municipal finance. Clerks then use that research to prepare pleadings that may be filed with the court as well as internal legal memos providing research summaries and recommendations for City attorneys or other City Departments. City Law Clerks may appear in court in civil matters advocating the City's interests or as the City's prosecutor in court under the supervision of the City Attorney, the Deputy City Attorney, or the Assistant City Attorneys. Law Clerks also transfer documents to and from the courthouse as another way to increase exposure to members of the local legal community and may assist with administrative tasks in the Legal Department including providing customer service in-person or by phone.

Required Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree and have completed the first two semesters of law school at the time of employment.
• Basic knowledge of federal and state law.
• Knowledge of legal reference works and methods of legal research.
• The ability to seek, analyze, appraise, and organize facts, evidence, and precedents.
• The ability to exercise professional judgment and maintain confidentiality of information.
• The ability to accomplish assigned tasks in a timely fashion with minimal supervision.
• Superior oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working or volunteering in an office setting.
• Experience providing customer service.
• Experience maintaining confidentiality of information.
• Experience in public service or public sector work.

The starting salary is $25.52 per hour. Applications, including cover letter, writing sample that demonstrates your legal research and analysis ability, and three references (professional or academic), must be submitted online no later than Sunday, October 4, 2026. Interviews are tentatively scheduled for the week of October 12, 2026 , at the Champaign City Building, 102 N. Neil Street, Champaign.

Other Information

Contact the Human Resources Department at (217) 403-8770 Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. if you require an accommodation to complete this application or during any phase of the application, interview, or employment process. The following locations offer free Internet access and assistance: Champaign Public Library, Champaign Public Library Douglass Branch, and the Illinois WorkNet Center.

The City of Champaign is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to promoting a work environme nt and a community that values and supports diversity and inclusion. Women, minorities and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

The City of Champaigns mission is to provide responsive, caring, cost-effective service in partnership with our community. The following values guide our work: Personal Integrity, Responsibility, Respect, Teamwork, Results. The City of Champaign is committed to promoting a work environme nt and a community that values and supports diversity and inclusion. Learn more about the citys mission and values at https://champaignil.gov/city-managers-office

This position is eligible for paid leave. Leave is accrued at .025 hours for each hour worked on a bi-weekly basis up to a maximum of 40 hours. This leave can be used for any reason but is not payable upon separation from the City. It can be used with permission and authorization of your supervisor.

01

Will you have completed two semesters of law school coursework by November 2, 2026?

• Yes
• No

02

Are you enrolled in law school for the Fall 2026 semester?

• Yes
• No

03

Are you available to work between 12 and 15 hours per week during the 2026-2027 school year, beginning on or around November 2, 2026?

• Yes
• No

04

If you answered yes to question 3 above, how many hours per week would you ideally like to work?

05

Why are you interested in working in public service? If you have any previous public service experience, please describe.

06

Please describe your knowledge of and experience with online and print legal reference works and legal research methods. If you have none, please enter N/A.

07

Do you have professional or volunteer experience in an office setting?

• Yes
• No

08

If you answered yes to question 7 above, please describe that experience.

09

Do you have professional or volunteer experience providing customer service?

• Yes
• No

10

If you answered yes to question 9 above, please describe that experience.

11

Do you have professional or volunteer experience maintaining confidentiality in information?

• Yes
• No

12

If you answered yes to question 11 above, please describe that experience.

13

Have you attached your cover letter to this application?

• Yes
• No

14

Have you attached a writing sample demonstrating your skills in legal research and analysis to this application?

• Yes
• No

Required Question

Employer City of Champaign

Address 102 North Neil St.

Floor 1

Champaign, Illinois, 61820

Phone (217) 403-8770

Website http://www.champaignil.gov