Description:
Job Description:Position Summary:
This is a law clerkship for the Honorable Judge Jennifer Schultz, in the Court of Common Pleas Criminal Trial Division. Work involves providing Judge Schultz with assistance in writing briefs and memoranda, drafting opinions, and advising on legal and administrative issues. An employee in this class is directly responsible to and serves at the discretion of the appointing judge.
By Order of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, effective September 1, 2005, all law clerks employed by judges of the courts of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania are prohibited from appearing as counsel in the division/section of the court in which the judge by whom they are employed serves. Further, in courts which have no formally established divisions or sections, the law clerks are prohibited from appearing as counsel in the court itself.
In order to apply and be considered for this position, please visit https://fjdcareers.phila.gov/Cyberweb/ to complete an application and upload a resume.
Essential Functions:
The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.
- Performs legal research opinions based on statutory law, decisions, and precedents of higher courts on topics including direct appeals and Post Conviction Relief Act petitions.
- Drafts opinions.
- Prepares and reviews files for sentencings, including preparation of sentence guideline ranges using SGS Web/JNET.
- Attends and observes court proceedings.
- Has the ability to ambulate to and from the courtroom.
Marginal functions:
- Provide general information about the assigned functions.
- Performs related work as required.
Environmental Conditions:
- Standard clerical office conditions.
- Direct contact with diverse court personnel.
Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Considerable knowledge of the components and functions of the justice system.
- Knowledge of the techniques and processes of legal research.
- Knowledge of the preparation of motions, petitions, and similar instruments.
- Ability to prepare, for judicial approval, orders and opinions.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with members of the judiciary, court personnel, departmental administrators, attorneys, and associates.
- Ability to use Westlaw.
- Strong organizational and time management skills.
- Able to work in a fast-paced, high-demand environment with ease.
Qualifications:
- Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school.
- Membership of the Bar of the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is not a requirement for Law Clerk 1; however, if you are a current member of the Bar, you must be, and remain in, good standing.
- Demonstrated commitment to public interest is a plus.
- Strong academic background.
- Superior writing and analytical skills.
- Appropriate experience in the use of Windows Software applications.
- Successful completion of a criminal background investigation.
- Ability to perform the essential functions of the position.
- Covid-19 Vaccination is recommended.