Law Clerk I (08009)

The first review of applications will be March 24, 2024. Please submit the following required documents on the State of Montana Careers website:

• Resume

• Please include dates of employment and your supervisor's name/phone number for each position.

• Cover Letter

• Three Professional References

• Writing Sample

When submitting the required documents, you must check the "relevant document" box to ensure your attachments are uploading correctly to the specific application for this position. Documents not requested will not be considered in the recruitment process. The Judicial Branch is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

An employee new to the Judicial Branch will serve a one-year probationary period. The successful applicant will be subject to a criminal background check. Travel may be required and working hours may include evenings & weekends.

For a complete job description, please email katie.erickson@mt.gov

The Montana Judicial Branch offers a variety of opportunities to help you make a difference in your community, and further your career. As a service-oriented employer, we seek employees with a passion for customer service to help us fulfill our mission to provide an independent, accessible, responsive, impartial, and timely forum to resolve disputes; to preserve the rule of law; and to protect the rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitutions of the United States and Montana.

Benefits of working for the Judicial Branch:

• Work/life balance

• Family friendly policies

• Dedicated and caring colleagues

• Health coverage

• Retirement plans

• Paid vacation, sick leave, and Holidays (combination of up to 38 per year)

• Opportunities and room for professional growth

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness

• Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF

Great Falls is often referred to as Montana's basecamp as our city of just over 60,000 people is centrally located and home to an international airport. Nestled in between 4 mountain ranges, 3 rivers, 2 wilderness areas and 1 wildlife refuge, adventure is easily accessible in every direction. Did we mention we're about halfway between Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park? Great Falls makes the perfect stopover. Stretch your legs on the picturesque 53 miles of trail that runs along the famed Missouri River that goes right through town. Add to that the 11 museums and over 25 wall murals that make our downtown Montana's biggest art gallery. Take a look and you'll understand why we are known for our art scene. Oh, it may also have a little something to do with famed Western artist Charles M. Russell who called Great Falls home-you can see his studio, home, and many of his works of art while you're here. Learn more at https://www.visitmt.com/

Job Overview:

Law clerks serving more than two years may be moved to senior law clerk status. This is professional legal work performed for the Honorable Judge John Kutzman of the 8th Judicial District in Great Falls, Montana.

Work involves the performance of professional legal research and other related clerical/administrative work in the preparation of memoranda, opinions, or orders for a judge concerning the cases before him/her. Work is performed under general supervision of a judge and is reviewed through conferences and written reports.

Job Duties:

• Reviews, studies, research, and annotates laws, court decisions, documents, opinions, briefs, and related legal authorities.

• Prepares briefs, legal memoranda, statement of issues involved, draft opinions and orders including appropriate suggestions or recommendations to the judge.

• Compiles references on laws and decisions necessary for legal determinations.

• Confers with judge concerning legal questions, legal theories, construction of documents, and preparation of orders.

• Attends court sessions to hear testimony and record necessary case information; maintains records attendant to court proceedings; assists judge in the selection and preparation of jury instructions.

• May perform courtroom duties including recording court testimony or arguments and providing bailiff services.

• May transcribe the record of court proceedings if required by the position.

• May maintain a law library collection.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Behaviors):

• Knowledge of general law, state law, established precedent, and sources of legal reference.

• Knowledge of trial court practices, rules, and procedures.

• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, with a diverse group of people.

• Ability to research complex legal problems or questions and apply legal principles.

• Ability to represent the court in a respectful manner.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with others.

• Ability to transcribe audio tapes, if required by the position.

• Skill in the operation of a computer with word processing and legal research software.

• Skill in the operation of electronic recording equipment to record trial court proceedings.

Working Conditions:

• Work is performed primarily in an office setting or a courtroom.

Physical Demands:

• Work is essentially sedentary with occasional walking, standing, bending, and carrying items up to 25 pounds such as papers and files. Some positions may require periods of extended sitting, standing or computer use. Some positions may require standing on a ladder to retrieve files from high shelves.

Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):

• A Juris Doctorate is required.

• Legal research experience.

• Excellent writing skills.

New graduates as well as experienced attorneys will be considered.