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Law Clerk I State of Montana

Law Clerk I Job Description

Job Title

Law Clerk I

Salary

Date Posted

3/03/2025

Hours

Full Time



Law Clerk I Job Description

Law clerks serving more than two years may be moved to senior law clerk status. This professional legal work is performed for the Honorable Judge Mike Menahan of the 1st Judicial District in Helena, Montana.

Law Clerk work involves performing professional legal research and other related clerical/administrative work in the preparation of memoranda, opinions, or orders for a judge concerning the cases before him/her.


Job Qualifications

  1. Knowledge of general law, state law, established precedent, and sources of legal reference
  2. Knowledge of trial court practices, rules, and procedures
  3. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, with a diverse group of people
  4. Ability to research complex legal problems or questions and apply legal principles
  5. Ability to represent the court in a respectful manner
  6. Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
  7. Ability to transcribe audio tapes, if required by the position
  8. Skill in the operation of a computer with word processing and legal research software
  9. Skill in the operation of electronic recording equipment to record trial court proceedings
  10. Some positions may require periods of extended sitting, standing, or computer use
  11. Some positions may require standing on a ladder to retrieve files from high shelves
  12. A Juris Doctorate is required
  13. Legal research experience
  14. Excellent writing skills
  15. New graduates as well as experienced attorneys will be considered
  16. Admission to the State Bar of Montana is not required

Job Responsibilities

  1. Work involves performing professional legal research and other related clerical/administrative work in the preparation of memoranda, opinions, or orders for a judge concerning the cases before him/her
  2. Reviews, studies, researches, and annotates laws, court decisions, documents, opinions, briefs, and related legal authorities
  3. Prepares briefs, legal memoranda, statement of issues involved, draft opinions and orders including appropriate suggestions or recommendations to the judge
  4. Compiles references on laws and decisions necessary for legal determinations
  5. Confers with judge concerning legal questions, legal theories, construction of documents, and preparation of orders
  6. Attends court sessions to hear testimony and record necessary case information; maintains records attendant to court proceedings; assists judge in the selection and preparation of jury instructions
  7. May act as special master at initial appearances/arraignments
  8. May maintain a law library collection
  9. Work is performed primarily in an office setting or a courtroom
  10. Work is essentially sedentary with occasional walking, standing, bending, and carrying items up to 25 pounds such as papers and files