Law Clerk Circuit Court / Probate Court

Applications are accepted until there are sufficient numbers of qualified applications or qualified candidate has been identified.  The position could possibly close at any time.*

Under the general supervision of a Circuit Court or Probate Court Judge, researches the law, advises the Court, and prepares opinions, orders, bench memoranda, and other documents for the Court. Acts as a special deputy with the Ingham County Sheriff's Office providing courtroom security, duties for which may include standing by out-of-custody offenders who are being remanded to jail and giving verbal commands pending the arrival of a deputy sheriff. The Law Clerk performs numerous other administrative and jury management tasks.

1. Analyzes court filings; conducts legal research; drafts opinions, orders, bench memoranda, and other recommendations regarding any matter before the Court whether it be petitions, motions, objections, bench trials, jury trials, or other proceedings.

2. Assists a Judge with their docket in accordance with specific law, court rules, policy, and procedures applicable to that docket. Dockets may include: a combined docket between the Ingham County Probate Court and the Ingham County Circuit Court (30th Judicial Circuit), a criminal law docket, a civil law docket, a family law docket, a probate docket, dockets associated with specialty court arrangements such as Business Court, Mental Health Court, Swift and Sure Sanctions Probationary Program, Phoenix Court, Family Recovery Court, or other specialty courts. Incumbents are expected to know applicable law, court rules, policy, and procedure related to the assigned Judge's docket(s) and to maintain up-to-date knowledge on upcoming and proposed changes. Incumbents may be required to attend continuing education opportunities to maintain and expand knowledge bases.

3. Remain in the courtroom when an incarcerated individual is present. Provides security for the assigned Judge, staff, jury, and general public, including contact with potentially disruptive individuals. Assist Sheriff's Department as directed to assist in the non-physical management of prisoners. Duties may include use of pepper spray and hand cuffs, and participating in associated training. Prepares and monitors the courtroom before, during, and after proceedings, including performing security checks among other tasks. Regularly contacts and communicates with the Ingham County Sheriff's Office and other security personnel.

4. Assists the Court in facilitating jury trials, including preparing the jury room, maintaining jury security and the integrity of jury deliberations, sequestering/escorting jurors as needed, completing related paperwork, and other tasks as directed. Assists in storage and security of related evidence during a trial or other proceeding.

5. In concert with the Judge and their staff, including the Court Recorder/Reporter, facilitates in-person and remote court proceedings, including operating applications/devices such as Zoom, Polycom, telephone, hearing-assistive devices, among other systems. Sets up and monitors breakout rooms to ensure confidentiality of communications such as attorney/client privileged communications.

6. May serve a Judge who is regularly assigned dockets in two separate courts, the Ingham County Probate Court and Ingham County Circuit Court (30th Judicial Circuit).

7. Assists Judge manage their docket, including receiving and reviewing filings and other documents for the Court; taking appropriate action based on the filings/documents, including operating the Court's case management system, document management system, and other systems as appropriate; preparing, maintaining, and ensuring the availability of lateral files or other documents for hearings and trials; cross checking the accuracy of party names, assigned attorneys, and case assignments; ensuring notices of hearing and proofs of service are properly served and are in otherwise good order and taking appropriate follow up action; among other tasks. Incumbents are responsible for forwarding accepted filings to either the Probate Court Office, the Circuit Court Clerk's Office, or the Circuit Court Juvenile Division for docketing and other action.

8. In concert with the Judicial Assistant, ensures the timeliness of judicial case processing according to the guidelines issued by the State Court Administrative Office, including the dissemination of appropriate calendars; notifying litigants, attorneys, and others regarding event dates; arranging transportation of litigants in custody; and working with attorneys and litigants to schedule trials/other matters.

9. Attends, observes, and assists with courtroom proceedings, including courtroom preparations, monitoring courtroom decorum of all participants or audiences, and taking any steps necessary for the subsequent preparation of opinions/orders or other further actions of the Court; corresponds with attorneys or litigants on file maintenance and case management; assists general public with preparation and submission of various pleadings and other filings including Personal Protection Orders among other case types, where applicable; maintains a record of all matters under advisement; maintains and updates opinion banks; prepares, organizes, and reviews daily files for proceedings and other events, including reviewing pleadings, determining when to contact attorneys/litigants to resolve issues; maintains and updates law library; attend meetings alongside the assigned Judge when directed, including in-chambers conferences, committee meetings, or other meetings as required; and assists other courts and court staff as instructed.

10. In the absence of the Judicial Assistant, answers the telephone and manages people coming to the Judicial Office.

11. May perform other duties as assigned by the Judge or in their absence, the Court.

Other Functions:

• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Must adhere to Court standards with respect to confidentiality and other privacy issues.
• May be required to report in person during public health emergencies and risk of exposure to communicable diseases.
• May be exposed to detailed, graphic, and traumatic content in filings, exhibits, and/or testimony, including those outlining horrific events.
• Must be able to remain composed and professional during stressful situations.
• Must be able to utilize interpersonal and management skills, including the ability to adapt to changing priorities across a wide-range of courts, practice areas, offices, and staff.
• Must be able to use diplomacy, discretion, and judgment in rendering information and opinions.
• Must be able to represent the Circuit Court and Probate Court with dignity, integrity, professionalism, and with a spirt of cooperation in all relationships with the public, staff, and stakeholders.
• Must be able to demonstrate sensitivity, knowledge, and understanding of diverse populations/cultures.
• Must be able to organize own work, set priorities, and meet deadlines.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by personnel so classified.

Education: Must be a graduate of or a student at a reputable and qualified law school.

Experience: Between one and two years of progressively more responsible or expansive legal experience in a court or law firm setting is required, including in externship/internship or student law clerk environments.

Demonstrates effective communication skills by engaging, interacting and working with individuals from various cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds, disability status', ages, LGBTQIA+ status' and genders to ensure clarity and understanding in all interactions.

Other Requirements: While employed in this position, the incumbent must be a resident of the State of Michigan.

The qualifications listed above are intended to represent the minimum skills and experience levels associated with performing the duties and responsibilities contained in this job description. The qualifications should not be viewed as expressing absolute employment or promotional standards, but as general guidelines that should be considered along with other job-related selection or promotional criteria.

Working Conditions:

• This position works in an indoor environment.
• This position may occasionally be required to travel between Court locations.
• This position is exposed to individuals in crisis. These individuals may suffer from mental or emotional illness, or have violent tendencies.

Physical Requirements:

• Must have the mental capacity to perform mostly mental work associated with this position as would be associated in doing writing and research.
• Must have the physical capacity to guard, escort and control those in custody.
• Must be able to utilize a standard telephone system and computer system.
• This position requires the ability to sit, stand, walk, traverse, climb, balance, twist, bend, stoop/crouch, squat, kneel, crawl, lift, carry, push, pull, reach, grasp, handle, pinch, type, endure repetitive movements of the wrists, hands or fingers.
• This position's physical requirements require periodic stamina in climbing, balancing, stooping/crouching, squatting, kneeling, crawling, pushing, pulling, grasping, handling and pinching.
• This position's physical requirements require regular stamina in traversing, twisting, bending, lifting, carrying, and reaching.
• This position's physical requirements require continuous stamina in sitting, standing, walking, typing and enduring repetitive movements of the wrists, hands or fingers.
• This position performs light work requiring the ability to exert 50 pounds or less of force in the physical requirements above.
• This position requires the ability to communicate and respond to inquiries submitting in writing, in person, over the phone or virtually.
• This position requires the ability to operate a PC/laptop and to enter and retrieve information from a computer.
• This position requires the ability to familiarize one's self with various technology and applications.
• Must have stamina to remain seated for extended periods of time.
• This position requires the ability to handle varying and often high levels of stress.

This job requires the ability to perform the essential functions contained in this description. These include, but are not limited to, the above requirements. Reasonable accommodations will be made for otherwise qualified applicants unable to fulfill one or more of these requirements.

MC 10

2023