Law Clerk

Law Clerk

Salary

$24.00 Hourly

Location

Various Throughout Dakota County, MN

Job Type

6 month Temp

Remote Employment

Flexible/Hybrid

Job Number

51250.26.002

Department

County Attorney

Opening Date

05/26/2026

Closing Date

6/8/2026 4:30 PM Central

• Description
• Benefits
• Questions

General Description

POSTING TYPE: Open-competitive

DEPARTMENT: County Attorney

HOURS: Part-time

HOURLY SALARY: $24.00

LOCATION: Judicial Center in Hastings and Northern Service Center in West St. Paul

UNION: None

CLOSE DATE: Monday, June 8, 2026, at 4:30 p.m.

Law Student Practitioner works under attorney supervision to conduct legal research, prepare legal research memos and documents and represent Dakota County where permitted. The Dakota County Attorney's Office has four divisions. The divisions include Civil, Adult Criminal, Child Support Enforcement, and Juvenile Protected Services Division. Law Clerks work in our Service Centers in West St Paul (Child Support) or Hastings (all other divisions). We are currently accepting applicants for: Juvenile Protective Services Division.

The department is asking that all candidates submit a resume, cover letter and a 3-4-page writing sample before submitting their application.

Work hours are variable based on the candidates availability (school schedule) and County Attorney Office needs. Typically, during the academic year, work hours do not exceed 20 hours/week. Full-time hours are available in the summer. Work study funding preferred but not required.

The Dakota County Attorney's Office welcomes and is inclusive of diverse people, backgrounds, and perspectives. The Office aims to reflect the community and clients it serves and fosters an equitable and respectful working environment where everyone is empowered to be their authentic selves.

Minimum Qualifications

• Completion of one year of law school by June 1, 2026.

AND

• Eligible for certification under the Supervised Practice Rules by June 1, 2026.

AND

• Ability to pass a fingerprint-based background check.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Conduct legal research and prepare written memoranda.
• Draft motions, pleadings and various legal documents.
• Represent the State and/or Dakota County in court hearings as a Law Student Practitioner under attorney supervision.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities and Work Environment

• Knowledge or interest in case law and procedures in the applicable division for which hired
• Ability to perform basic legal research and writing
• Ability to analyze legal issues by applying the facts to applicable law.
• Ability to represent legal arguments both orally and in writing in a clear and concise manner
• Ability to maintain confidentiality of privileged communications
• Ability to work under pressure
• Ability to think independently
• Ability to use discretion in making independent judgments in dealing with the public and department heads or their representatives
• Ability to deal tactfully and courteously with the public and to maintain harmonious working relationships with others
• Willingness to learn and improve.

Work Environment

Work is primarily sedentary and is usually accomplished while incumbent is comfortably seated at a desk or table. Some walking and standing may occur in the course of a normal workday or in connection with attendance at meetings and conferences, or while researching files. Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate keyboard, mouse, and to handle other computer components for extended periods of time.

Selection Process

• You submit an online application that includes supplemental questions
• We assign you a score based on your qualifications
• Top scoring candidates are referred to the hiring manager for interview consideration
• We conduct interviews and reference checks before extending an offer
• We extend an offer and conduct background checks

Please note: This position is being posted by Dakota County as a service to this agency. Any applications submitted for this position are an expressed interest of employment with the agency and will in no way be considered an expressed interest of employment with Dakota County. Dakota County benefits are not applicable.

01

• Applicants for this recruitment will be rated based on their answers to the supplemental questions listed below and application materials. It is IMPERATIVE that information provided on the application and resume are detailed and clearly outline your work experience & skills. They must also support and/or match answers to the supplemental questions. Please initial the box below to CONFIRM that the information provided is accurate and true to the best of your knowledge. Falsification may result in disqualification from consideration for this and subsequent recruitments with Dakota County for up to three years.

02

Identify the areas of law that you are interested in working in (check all that apply):

• Adult Criminal
• Civil
• Juvenile Protected Services Division
• Child Support

03

Are you a current law student at an accredited law school?

• Yes
• No

04

Will you have completed at least one year of law school by June 1, 2026?

• Yes
• No

05

Are you eligible for certification under the Supervised Practice Rules by June 1, 2026?

• Yes
• No

06

Are you able to pass a fingerprint-based background check?

• Yes
• No

07

Do you have work or volunteer experience conducting legal research and preparing written memoranda?

• Yes
• No

08

Do you have work or volunteer experience drafting motions, pleadings and various legal documents?

• Yes
• No

09

Have you attached a resume, cover letter and a writing sample? If not, go back and add it before submitting your application.

• Yes
• No

10

Your response to this question will help Dakota County evaluate the effectiveness of recruitment sources for this specific position. Please select the one source that most closely describes how you first learned about this opportunity.

• Facebook
• Friend, Family or Colleague
• InDeed
• Job Fair or Dakota County Event
• Job Interest e-mails from Dakota County
• JobsInMinneapolis/StPaul
• League of Minnesota Cities
• LinkedIn
• Minneapolis Diversity.com
• Minnesota Diversity.com
• Minnesota Works Website
• Minnesota Jobs Network.com
• Minnesota Association of Counties
• Monster
• Professional Association Website
• Referred by a Dakota County Employee
• St Paul Diversity.com
• College Website, Instructor, Career Services
• Dakota County Website
• Other

11

If you selected Other, please indicate where you heard about this opportunity with Dakota County.

Required Question

Employer Dakota County

Address Administration Center

1590 Highway 55

Hastings, Minnesota, 55033-2372

Phone 651.438.4435

Website http://www.dakotacounty.us