Law clerks serve at the pleasure of the Judge. This clerkship is suited for individuals interested in court operations, or those desiring legal experience across a broad range of areas. This position provides exposure to Superior Court practice and techniques. The responsibilities of the law clerks varies as those of staff counsel for other state and federal courts. They include: (1) Motions; (2) Petitions, Stays, and Emergency Matters; (3) Opinions and Special Projects.
Summary
Law clerks serve at the pleasure of the Judge. This clerkship is suited for individuals interested in court operations, or those desiring legal experience across a broad range of areas. This position provides exposure to Superior Court practice and techniques. The responsibilities of the law clerks varies as those of staff counsel for other state and federal courts. They include: (1) Motions; (2) Petitions, Stays, and Emergency Matters; (3) Opinions and Special Projects.
The Law Clerk is expected to perform the duties below:
Researches issues before the court; writes opinions based on research; participates in the formation of case law; assists judge in courtroom proceedings; manages exhibits submitted into evidence.
Interacts with chambers staff, court personnel, litigants and the public; assists the judge with settlement conferences and discovery disputes.
Reviews briefs submitted by the parties; verifies cited legal authority; drafts a variety of legal documents including trial briefs, memorandum and orders.
Researches and analyzes complex legal issues in civil and criminal appeals.
Maintains chambers library; makes recommendations regarding the disposition of appeals; drafts concise, well-researched opinions, bench memorandum and other legal documents.
Attends court sessions to hear oral arguments; keeps abreast of changes in the law; reviews dockets of pending litigation; reviews complaints, petitions, motions, or pleadings.
A background and/or security investigation is required.
This position is an Excepted Service appointment.
To qualify for this position, you must submit the following:
1. Two (2) Pages or less Resume (detailing all relevant experience. Your resume must list your work experience and education including the start and end date (mm/yyyy)of each employment. 2. Completed Vacancy Questionnaire 3. Documentation/Proof of Education (e.g. college transcript and/or J.D. law degree)
All required information must be received by the closing date.
Qualifications
At the time of appointment, the applicant must possess a Juris Doctor (J.D.) from a law school. Only degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools or institutions may be used to qualify for District of Columbia Courts employment. If you are using foreign education, you must upload a Certificate of Foreign Education Equivalency with your transcript at the time of application.
Please note that authorization for the release of your adult criminal record revealing any convictions and forfeitures, and any criminal cases currently pending before the courts are required. If you are selected for the position, a criminal history records check will be conducted.
The incumbent should be an enthusiastic and engaged professional who enjoys working with a diverse group of Court personnel and customers and lives the DC Courts’ values of Accountability, Excellence, Fairness, Integrity, Respect, and Transparency.
Education
To qualify based on education, upload a copy of your college transcript or J.D. law degree. The transcript must show the name of the college or university, your name, list of courses with credit hours, major(s), and grade-point average or class ranking.
Only education or degrees recognized by the U.S. Department of Education from accredited colleges, universities, schools, or institutions may be used to qualify for District of Columbia Courts employment. You can verify your education here: http://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/.
Foreign Education: If you are using foreign education to meet qualification requirements, you must upload a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript at time of application to receive credit for that education. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.
Additional information
This job is being filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive Federal civil service.
All required information must be received by the vacancy announcement closing date.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
This is not a federal position.
The District of Columbia Courts is an independent branch of the District of Columbia Government and is not under the authority of the City Mayor or the D. C. Council. DC Courts' appropriation comes directly from Congress. All DC Courts non-judicial employees receive federal benefits for the following programs: Life Insurance, Retirement Benefits, Health Insurance and Workers Compensation.
Please click on the following for more information about these benefits:
Annual Leave: New full-time employees earn four (4) hours of annual leave biweekly. After three years of service this increases to six (6)hours biweekly, and at 15 years it increases to eight(8)hours biweekly. Most military, federal and District of Columbia government service counts toward the time required to go into the next higher annual leave category. Employees can carry over no more than 240 hours of annual leave into the next leave year.
Sick Leave is used for personal medical needs, care of a family member, or adoption related purposes. Full-time employees earn four(4)hours of sick leave biweekly. This leave can be accrued without limit.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
Upon receipt of your completed application package, a review of your application will be made to ensure that you meet the basic qualification requirements.
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
This is not a federal position.
The District of Columbia Courts is an independent branch of the District of Columbia Government and is not under the authority of the City Mayor or the D. C. Council. DC Courts' appropriation comes directly from Congress. All DC Courts non-judicial employees receive federal benefits for the following programs: Life Insurance, Retirement Benefits, Health Insurance and Workers Compensation.
Please click on the following for more information about these benefits:
Annual Leave: New full-time employees earn four (4) hours of annual leave biweekly. After three years of service this increases to six (6)hours biweekly, and at 15 years it increases to eight(8)hours biweekly. Most military, federal and District of Columbia government service counts toward the time required to go into the next higher annual leave category. Employees can carry over no more than 240 hours of annual leave into the next leave year.
Sick Leave is used for personal medical needs, care of a family member, or adoption related purposes. Full-time employees earn four(4)hours of sick leave biweekly. This leave can be accrued without limit.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
1. Two (2) pages or less Resume (must detail month and year of legal expereince) 2. Completed Vacancy Questionnaire 3. Documentation/Proof of Education (e.g. copy of college transcript and/or J.D. law degree)
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the vacancy questionnaire. Afterward, click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.
The District of Columbia Courts will only accept resumes that are two pages or less in length.
1. Two (2) pages or less Resume (must detail month and year of legal expereince) 2. Completed Vacancy Questionnaire 3. Documentation/Proof of Education (e.g. copy of college transcript and/or J.D. law degree)
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the vacancy questionnaire. Afterward, click the Submit My Answers button at the end of the process.
The District of Columbia Courts will only accept resumes that are two pages or less in length.
