Law Clerk, First Judicial District (Continuous Posting)

Gain experience in multiple areas of law! Learn directly from a Judge and collaborate with other Law Clerks while helping to provide fair and equal access to justice for Minnesotans. Law Clerks work directly with a District Court Judge performing legal research and drafting memoranda and orders, while gaining insight into judicial court processes at the Trial Court level.

You'll be able to use your legal research and writing skills, work as part of a judge team, and observe all types of court calendars and proceedings. First District Law Clerks have the opportunity to work on a variety of assignments and observe different types of court proceedings including criminal, civil, probate, family, juvenile, and conciliation cases. The primary work location will be a local court facility, however flexibility for remote and hybrid options may be available.

Law Clerks work mostly business hours, Monday through Friday and receive a competitive total rewards package including paid vacation and sick leave, eleven paid holidays per year, low cost medical and dental insurance, employer paid life insurance, and multiple ways to save for retirement. The Minnesota Judicial Branch is a participating Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) employer.

What You Will Do

The following are examples of major job duties expected of this position:

• Review and research laws, court decisions, briefs, and other legal authorities
• Confer with the judge regarding legal issues, prepares legal memoranda, and assists with drafting orders for the judge
• May attend court sessions to observe court proceedings and record case information
• May perform courtroom duties in arraignments, motions, hearings, pre-trial conferences, and trials including calling the calendar, swearing in jury panels and witnesses, and assisting in documenting court proceedings
• May perform administrative duties within the judge's chambers

What You Must Have

• To be considered for employment as a Law Clerk, you must meet the following qualifications: Graduation from an accredited law school at time of employment
• To be considered for employment as a Law Clerk 1 (student), you must meet the following qualifications: Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and current enrollment in and completion of at least one year of law school training at an accredited law school

What You Will Bring

• Knowledge of laws, court rules, and sources of legal reference
• Knowledge of court practices and procedures
• Knowledge of legal terminology and concepts
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, with a diverse group of people including attorneys and pro se parties
• Ability to research complex legal problems or questions and apply legal principles
• Ability to represent the court in a respectful manner
• Skill in the operation of a personal computer with word processing and legal research software
• Ability to professionally exhibit cultural sensitivity, patience, and understanding in the course of work duties

To Apply

Please apply for this position online by clicking the Apply button at the bottom of this posting. In addition to completing the online application, all applicants must upload and attach a resume, law school transcripts, and a brief writing sample.

• Applications will remain eligible for consideration for 60 days. You will receive notice when your application has reached expiration and may re-apply at that time.
• Applicants who are hired prior to graduation from an accredited law school will be hired into the Law Clerk I job classification and pay band until graduation.

Successful candidates must be able to pass a criminal background check. If you have questions regarding this position, please contact us at 1stdistrict.hr@courts.state.mn.us.