WJB-0716 Law Clerk/Staff Attorney - Ninth Judicial District Court

WJB-0716 Law Clerk/Staff Attorney - Ninth Judicial District Court

Salary

$70,000.00 - $116,000.00 Annually

Location

Pinedale, WY

Job Type

Permanent Full-time

Job Number

0716

Department

Wyoming Judicial Branch

Opening Date

07/06/2026

Closing Date

Continuous

FLSA

Determined by Position

Job Classification

WJB

• Description
• Benefits

Description and Functions

Law Clerk/Staff Attorney - Ninth Judicial District Court - Pinedale

Open Until Filled

Application For This Position Cannot Be Accomplished On This Site.

Please Follow The Directions In The "How To Apply" Section At The Bottom Of This Job Description.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

The Ninth Judicial District Court, Sublette County, Wyoming, seeks to hire a Law Clerk/Staff Attorney to support the work of Judge Katharine McKay. This at-will position is full-time, and remote work arrangements will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

What Youll Be Doing:

As a Law Clerk/Staff Attorney, you will get the opportunity to attend hearings and jury trials, conduct professional legal research, and provide critical support to Judge McKay. In addition, you will be asked to work with Judge McKay to draft memoranda, opinions, jury instructions, and orders. The Law Clerk/Staff Attorney is a critical contributor to the efficient, proper, and professional functioning of the court.

About Us:

The District Court presides over a variety of cases, ranging from felony criminal matters to large civil cases, domestic relations, mental health, juvenile, and probate matters. The Court also hears appeals from lower courts and administrative decisions. The Court is located in Pinedale but also has chambers and a substantial case load in Lander, Fremont County. Pinedale is a small mountain town, surrounded by three mountain ranges, with all of the things people love to do in the outdoors in Wyoming - fishing, skiing, boating, hunting, hiking, backpacking, biking, snowmobiling, and more. It's "all the civilization you need."

Why Join Us? The Perks Are Fantastic!

In addition to the challenge, the job comes with a competitive annual salary, and working with the Wyoming Judicial Branch comes with great benefits. As a valued member of the judicial staff, you will enjoy the State of Wyoming retirement pension, a 457 Deferred Compensation Plan, and an affordable health insurance package that includes health, dental, life, vision, disability insurance, ambulance coverage, pet insurance, and an Employee Assistance Program. Plus, you will get well-deserved paid time off to recharge and enjoy life outside the courtroom.

For general Judicial Branch employment questions, contact Human Resources: Chelsea Riden, HR@courts.state.wy.us, 307-777-8648

For position specific questions, contact Judge McKay's Judicial Assistant: Deborah Hueckstaedt, SubletteDC9Chambers@courts.state.wy.us, 307-367-3801.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: General expected duties for this position include making, preserving, transcribing, and delivering the verbatim record of proceedings for criminal, civil, juvenile, probate, and other cases as follows:

• Job duties include the following:
• Extensive legal research of the law into issues arising through motions, during hearings, and trials.
• Research and draft legal memoranda, statements of issues involved, opinions, and judgments for review by the judge.
• Observe judicial proceedings; attend court sessions to hear oral arguments, record necessary case information, and maintain notes attendant to court proceedings.
• Prepare jury instructions and verdict forms, ensure the courtroom is ready for trial, coordinate with the clerk of court, and ensure courtroom technology and equipment are functioning properly.
• Track the docket, including substantive motions, upcoming trials, and pending appeals..
• Compile references on laws and decisions necessary for legal determinations.
• Confer with the judge concerning legal questions, construction of documents, factual issues, and orders.
• Attend conferences with litigants, attorneys, and the judge; may conduct scheduling conferences for civil matters.
• Act as a liaison between the District Court and attorneys, the public, the clerk's office, and other stakeholders.
• Expected to perform such other duties as may be necessary, assigned, and/or directed.

Qualifications

PREFERENCES/AGENCY REQUIREMENTS:

Preference may be given to applicants with work experience as a staff attorney or practicing attorney.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES:

This position requires the ability to:

• Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
• Organize work priorities.
• Assist the judge in tracking and prioritizing pending matters.
• Research complex legal problems or questions and apply legal principles.
• Be highly self-motivated and directed, with keen attention to detail.
• Provide objective guidance based on case law, statutory analysis, and construction.
• Present research and articulate legal conclusions.
• Represent the court in a respectful and professional manner.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with others.
• Travel, including rare overnight stays.
• Maintain strict ethical standards and confidentiality in accordance with the Code of Judicial Conduct and Wyoming Rules of Professional Responsibility.

This position requires skills in:

• Organization and attention to detail.
• Time management with the ability to meet deadlines.
• Legal research and writing.
• Analytical thinking and problem-solving.
• Assessing, evaluating, prioritizing, and handling multiple tasks, projects, and demands.
• Establishing and maintaining effective work relations with peers and others having any interactions with the Court.
• Microsoft Office Suite.

This position involves knowledge of:

• Wyoming statutes, court rules, policies, and procedures.
• General law, state law, established precedents, and sources of legal reference.
• Application of legal principles and legal analysis.
• Legal terminology and concepts.
• Principles and protocols for managing official documents and records.
• Westlaw and court case management systems.
• Ethical rules.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience:

Juris Doctor Degree from an ABA-accredited law school.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations:

Be admitted to practice law in Wyoming within one year of appointment

Necessary Special Requirements

PHYSICAL WORKING CONDITIONS:

This position requires mobility to work in a typical office setting.

• Use standard office equipment.
• Sit at a desk or stand for prolonged periods and work on a computer.
• Stand and/or walk occasionally to frequently.
• Read printed materials and computer screens.
• Communicate in person, by e-mail, video, or over the phone.
• Travel.

NOTES:

• Employment is an at-will position subject to a background check.
• FLSA Exempt
• The Ninth Judicial District Court is an independent State Agency under the Wyoming Judicial Branch and a State of Wyoming employer.
• Your Compensation: Your salary will be determined based on your valuable work experience as an attorney, recognizing your expertise and contributions to the legal field. The hiring range is $85,000 - 98,300 annually for attorneys with less than 5 years of experience. For attorneys with 5-9 years of experience, the range is $98,300 - $106,800, and for 10 or more years of experience, the range is $106,800 - $116,000 annually.

Supplemental Information

HOW TO APPLY:

Interested applicants must visit and create an account on the careers page on the Wyoming Judicial Branch website for consideration. Once an account is created, applicants may apply to the open vacancies listed. Please attach a cover letter, resume, and writing sample to your Wyoming Judicial Branch application.

Veterans: If you are a United States Armed Forces veteran, or the spouse of a veteran who was married to that veteran at the time of that persons death and receives survivor benefits, to receive veterans preference under Wyo. Stat. Section 19-14-102, you must complete the Veterans Preference section of the Wyoming Judicial Branch At-Will Employment Application and attach a Form DD214 to the application.

The State of Wyoming is an Equal Opportunity Employer and actively supports the ADA and reasonably accommodates qualified applicants with disabilities.

Working for the State of Wyoming means more than a job - it's a stable, rewarding career that lets you make a difference while enjoying a great quality of life.

Employees enjoy:

• Comprehensive health coverage - medical, dental, and vision plans for you and your family
• Voluntary Benefits - including life insurance for you and family members, ambulance, pet insurance, short/long-term disability, flex spending and health savings accounts
• Multiple retirement options - including the Wyoming Retirement System and a 457B account, helping you plan for long-term financial security
• Generous paid leave and flexible schedules - vacation, sick leave, paid FMLA and 11 paid holidays each year
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness eligibility - for those with qualifying student loans
• Training and professional development - to support your career growth and advancement
• Employee Assistance Program - Includes paid short-term counseling, legal, financial and work-life benefits and select employee discounts
• Wellness Program - Earn paid time off and incentives by focusing on your personal health

Know your full value.

Your paycheck is only part of the picture. The State of Wyoming offers a Total Compensation Calculator that shows the full value of your salary plus benefits, so you can clearly see what your complete compensation package looks like.

Explore your total compensation: https://compensationcalculator.wyo.gov/

WORKING FOR THE GREATEST STATE IN THE NATION - Wyoming offers a lifestyle you can't find anywhere else - wide-open spaces, clean air, friendly communities, year-round recreation, and no state income tax.

Click here for detailed information or you can watch this short video to learn about our benefit package!.

Employer State of Wyoming

Address Human Resource Contact Information located in the

General Description Section

Statewide, Wyoming, 82002

Phone 307-777-7188

Website http://agency.governmentjobs.com/wyoming/default.cfm