Summary

The Law Clerk is responsible for assisting with the efficient and effective operation of the court system by examining legal issues facing the Court and providing assistance to the Judge as otherwise described. The Law Clerk assists the Judges, Court Administration, and other departments and staff as required/directed by the assigned Judge. The work includes interaction with the Courts, Court Administration, Department of Probation Services, Domestic Relations Section, Clerk of Courts, District Attorney’s Office, Children and Youth Services, Public Defender’s Office, Office of Judicial Support, and others regarding the processing, scheduling and administration of Court cases. 

Essential Duties

The specific duties of a Law Clerk are including but are not limited to the following:

• Writing findings of fact and conclusions of law, detailed orders, legal memoranda and opinions analyzing substantive legal issues and verifying citations.
• Researching legal sources for briefs or opinions based on statutory law, court decisions and precedents of appellate courts.
• Reviewing pre- and post-trial memoranda, petitions, motions and other case matters for pertinent issues and applicable laws.
• Reviewing and analyzing legal records, transcripts, and documents to obtain relevant information applicable to cases under consideration.
• Attending Court with the Judge for Motions, Hearings and Trials and assist the Judge during courtroom proceedings.
• Reviewing and gathering all necessary filings and documents in preparation for trial, including but not limited to, creating the jury selection chart, verdict slip and jury instructions.
• Holding conferences with attorneys regarding outstanding issues and/or items necessary to allow for case settlement or advancement of trial.
• Reviewing correspondence and pleadings filed with the court, including emergency petitions, and summarize for the Judge.
• Responding to correspondence directed to the court, preserving case file documents, and maintaining a diary of time requirements and deadlines for all pending trial level and appellate matters.
• Communicating with counsel regarding logistics, case management and procedural requirements.
• Interacting with internal departments frequently responding to their inquiries.
• Interpreting and reviewing new legal rulings and procedures, maintain an updated legal library for the Judge.
• Answering telephone/email and responding to routine inquiries from public and attorneys.
• Administrative duties, including overseeing summer interns and unpaid externs.

Qualifications

• Law Degree from an accredited law school required.
• Successful completion of Pennsylvania State Bar examination.
• Admission to Delaware County Bar Association preferred.
• Good knowledge of court procedures, legal literature and research techniques.

Additional Information

HOURS OF WORK 
Law Clerks are salaried positions within the operating hours of the Delaware County Court of Common Pleas. However, the Court may set hours, change start and end times, require working through lunch periods, require overtime work, require weekend and/or evening work, or in any other way adjust schedules as needed to ensure the availability of judicial services to the public and to ensure efficient court operations.

UNIFIED JUDICIAL SYSTEM HIRING POLICY
32nd JUDICIAL DISTRICT 
The Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania recruits, employs and promotes the most qualified applicants without regard to their political affiliation , race, color, age national origin, sex sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, disability , or other non-merit facts or consideration. Reasonable accommodations will be provided to applicants with disabilities as may be necessary to ensure that all applicants are given a fair and equal opportunity to compete for all employment positions. UJS hiring and employment policies and procedures are intended to conform to all applicable state and federal laws governing fair and non-discriminatory hiring and employment practices and subject to change as necessary to remain in compliance with such laws.

Contact

To apply, please go to Neo.gov.