Expand your court experience or begin your legal career as a District Court Law Clerk!
The Fourth Judicial District accepts applications for the Law Clerk position on an on-going basis. Judges and Referees who experience a Law Clerk vacancy are provided access to all current applications on file. Positions are typically filled quickly from the pool of applicants. Applications will remain active for 30 days.
A District Court Law Clerk has the opportunity to work within the Minnesota Judicial Branch at the Trial Court level, and gain insight into judicial and court processes, with a court perspective on the administration of justice.
Law Clerks work directly with a District Court Judge or District Court Referee performing professional legal research, preparation of memoranda, opinions, and orders and related clerical/administrative work. This position supports the functions of a District Court Judge or District Court Referee to uphold the court's mission of providing justice through a system that assures equal access for the fair and timely resolution of cases and controversies.
Example of Duties:
Any one position may not include all of the duties listed, nor do the examples cover all the duties which may be performed.
- Review, study, research, and annotate laws, court decisions, documents, opinions, briefs, and related legal authorities
- Prepare briefs, legal memoranda, and jury instructions, including appropriate suggestions or recommendations to the Judge or Referee
- Compile references on laws and decisions necessary for legal determinations
- Confer with Judge, Referee or court official concerning legal questions, construction of documents and granting of orders
- Attend court sessions to hear oral arguments and record necessary case information; maintain records attendant to court proceedings
- Courtroom duties, including taking court minutes; calling the calendar; swearing in jury panels and witness; and assisting in various court proceedings such as arraignments, motions, hearings, pre-trial conferences, and trials
- Administrative duties as assigned
Typical Qualifications:
Minimum Education and Experience:
Law Clerk 1
- Completion of at least one year at an accredited law school.
Law Clerk
- Juris Doctor (JD) from an accredited law school.
Minimum Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Knowledge of general law, state law, established precedent, and sources of legal reference
- Knowledge of court practices and procedures
- Knowledge of legal terminology and concepts
- Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both verbally and in writing
- Ability to research complex legal problems or questions and apply legal principles
- Ability to work in an inclusive, multicultural environment that values diversity and relationships
- Ability to professionally exhibit cultural sensitivity, patience, and understanding in the course of work duties
- Ability to represent the court in a respectful manner
- Skill in the operation of a personal computer with word processing and legal research software