Juvenile Court, Common Wealth of Massachusetts is currently seeking applications for Law Clerk.
About Juvenile Court
It is the mission of the Juvenile Court to protect children from abuse and neglect and promote opportunities for children to reside in safe, stable, permanent family environments whenever possible, to strengthen families when their children are in need of services, to rehabilitate juveniles, to protect the public from delinquent and criminal activity while holding offenders accountable and addressing the harm suffered by the community and the victim, and to decide all cases fairly and impartially with dedication, integrity and professionalism.
About the Opportunity
The law clerk is responsible for performing legal research and writing assignments to assist the judges of the Juvenile Court. Law clerks work directly with the judges, and under the supervision of the Manager of Legal Research Services, Assistant Deputy Court Administrator, and the Chief Justice.
This posting is for law clerk positions in Eastern Massachusetts. All law clerks are assigned by the Manager of Legal Research, with the final approval of the Chief Justice, to rotations. In Eastern Massachusetts, the law clerks may be assigned to any of the following eight divisions: Bristol, Barnstable, Essex, Middlesex, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, and Worcester.
The rotation system gives law clerks the opportunity to work with numerous judges and to gain a broader understanding of the work of the Juvenile court. New law clerks will be required to report to their assigned courthouses in-person for the first three months. After that period, they may begin a hybrid work schedule at the discretion of the department head and pursuant to Trial Court Policy.
Number of Vacancies
This posting is for multiple law clerk positions. One position will start as soon as possible, while the others will begin on September 5, 2023. All of the positions will finish on August 31, 2024, with a possibility of renewal for an additional year.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Assists judges in matters before the court by:
- Discussing legal issues with judges;
- Performing careful and accurate legal research and analysis, using both online and book resources;
- Clearly and concisely conveying results of research and analysis to judges, orally and in writing;
- Preparing well-written and error-free legal research memoranda, and drafting findings of fact, conclusions of law, rationales, judgments and memoranda of decision;
- Completing assignments in a timely manner and within deadlines established by judges;
- Performing additional legal research and analysis and further review and revision of written work products as appropriate; and Attending hearings, portions of trials, and other courtroom proceedings, as needed.
Eligibility Criteria
- Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school or eligibility to sit for the Massachusetts bar exam, as of the start of the clerkship.
- Excellent legal writing and communication skills.
- Excellent legal research and analytical skills, using both online and book resources.
- High professional and ethical standards. Access to a reliable car and the willingness and ability to travel to courthouses as assigned.
- Experience and knowledge in the use of personal computers, including word processing programs such as Microsoft Word and legal research services such as Lexis or Westlaw.
- Demonstrated ability to follow written and oral instructions.
- Demonstrated ability to manage, prioritize, and complete simultaneous assignments from various judges.
- Demonstrated ability to work well independently while maintaining productivity and demonstrating good judgment.
- Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and otherwise complete assignments in a timely manner.
- Demonstrated ability to work well with others in a professional setting, including judges, managers, court staff, and other law clerks.
- Genuine commitment to serving the full term of the clerkship.
Additional Preferred Qualifications
- Current legal practice or intent to practice law in Massachusetts.
- Substantial legal research and writing experience, including prior experience as a judicial intern for a Juvenile Court judge.
- Courses in juvenile law, research assistant positions, prior work experience in the areas of juvenile law and clinical placements.
- Familiarity with legal research resources beyond Westlaw and Lexis.
- Demonstrated commitment to government or public service.
- The Juvenile Court invites well-rounded and distinguished recent law school graduates and practicing attorneys to apply for the clerkship positions.
- Solid academic credentials are important, however, there are no rigid requirements regarding class rank or standing.
- All law clerks must reside in Massachusetts for the duration of the law clerk term.
Salary
Annually $68,160.35 – $68,160.35
How to Apply?
All applicants must apply directly through the trial court employment page linked below.
Application Deadline
April 13, 2023
Location
Boston, Massachusetts
