Extra Help Post Bar Law Clerk

Examples of Duties

• Interviews and advises victims and witnesses regarding prospective criminal or civil actions.
• Studies, interprets, and applies laws, court decisions and legal authorities for use in prosecuting, defending, or litigating cases.
• Prepares legal pleadings such as complaints, answers, demurrers, discovery and judgments.
• Affords assistance with a variety of cases; which may include misdemeanor cases, and presentation of preliminary hearings.
• Performs related work such as preparing complaints, legal briefs, reports and correspondence.
• Actively seeks continuing legal education and training, which may include reading, performing research, observing and seeking counsel from senior department attorneys, and attending trainings.

Minimum Qualifications

• Education: Current enrollment in law school, or a recent law school graduate who is eligible for the California State Bar Exam or has taken the California State Bar Exam and is awaiting Bar results.
• Upon appointment, candidates must have completed the California State Bar Exam.

Essential Functions

• Accurately interpret and apply criminal, constitutional and administrative law.
• Present statements of fact, law and argument clearly and logically.
• Communicate effectively with others in person, in the court, and over the telephone.
• Maintain legal case files.
• Operate a personal computer and other office equipment.
• Accurately prepare opinions, pleadings, briefs, responses, etc.
• Respond appropriately to situations.
• Maintain confidential information in accordance with legal standards and/or County regulations and meet deadlines under stressful conditions.
• Frequent use of depth perception, peripheral vision and color perception.
• Frequent use of hand-eye coordination; use of data entry device; repetitive hand and arm motion; normal dexterity, frequently holding and grasping.
• Occasional lifting and carrying up to 40 pounds.
• Regular attendance is an essential function.

Knowledge Required

• Principles of criminal, constitutional and administrative law.
• Judicial procedures and the rules of evidence.
• Penal Code of the State of California and other penal code sections of other codes.
• Legal procedures and documents.
• Trial procedures and rules of evidence.
• Principles, practices, methods and materials of legal research.
• Rules of evidence.
• Research methods.

Ability Required

• Interpret and apply laws and legal authorities.
• Present statements of law, facts, and arguments clearly, logically, and forcefully, both in written and oral form.
• Interview witnesses and clients, including inmates of penal institutions, and reports on findings of facts.
• Accurately perform research.
• Work effectively with others.