The Law Clerk (Civil) is a part-time, non-benefited position working in the City Attorney's Office under the direction of the City Attorney and Deputy City Attorney. This fellowship is designed for a law student (3L) to gain comprehensive experience in municipal law, land use, and civil government operations. This position will provide critical support in ensuring the City's legislative and administrative actions comply with Federal, State, and local regulations.
Minimum Qualifications
Academic Standing: Currently enrolled as a 2L or 3L student at an ABA-accredited law school.
Rule 14-807 Certification: Must meet all requirements for the Utah Supreme Court's Law Student Practice Rule.
Note: While the Civil Team focuses on office work, this certification is required to represent the City in Administrative Law Court and for drafting formal pleadings.
Coursework: Completion of (or current enrollment in) Administrative Law, Land Use/Zoning, or Local Government Law is highly desirable.
Availability: Must be able to commit to the specific 4-month term (Jan-Apr, May-Aug, or Sept-Dec) for a minimum of 20 hours per week, and a maximum of 28 hours per week.
Legal Research: Proficiency in Westlaw or Lexis+ for statutory and case law research.
Technical Skills & Legal Research
Statutory Proficiency: Proven ability to navigate and interpret the Utah Code, specifically the Utah Municipal Code, LUDMA, and GRAMA.
Drafting Excellence: Strong writing skills with the ability to draft clear, enforceable ordinances, resolutions, and professional service contracts.
Digital Tools: Proficiency in Westlaw/Lexis+ and experience with document redaction software (e.g., Adobe Acrobat Pro or specialized legal redaction tools).
Analytical Rigor: The ability to review complex city policies and identify potential Constitutional conflicts (First Amendment, Due Process, etc.).
Detail Orientation: High level of accuracy in reviewing contracts for indemnification clauses, insurance requirements, and scope-of-work alignment.
Regulatory Monitoring: Ability to synthesize federal/state regulatory changes (ADA, OSHA, EPA) into actionable advisory memos for City Department Heads.
Preferred Qualifications
Contract Experience: Previous experience or coursework in Contract Drafting or Commercial Transactions.
Records Management: Familiarity with GRAMA classifications (Public, Private, Protected) or experience handling sensitive personnel/proprietary data.
Public Policy Interest: A demonstrated interest in municipal law, urban planning, or public administration.
Professional Requirements
Confidentiality: Must maintain strict adherence to the Utah Rules of Professional Conduct, specifically regarding the protection of attorney-client privileged information between the Legal Department and City clients (Mayor, Council, and Staff).
Background Check: Must successfully pass a criminal background check.
$27.00 Hourly