Law Clerk

Job Description

Law Clerk | Commonwealth of Kentucky

The Tone:
This is a full-time role within the Executive Branch, located at the Prestonsburg Trial Office in Prestonsburg, KY, and is eligible for overtime pay based on a 37.5-hour work week. The Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy (DPA) operates under the Justice & Public Safety Cabinet and stands as a nationally recognized model statewide public defender system. The DPA is celebrated for its exceptional training and education programs, where dedicated defense teams ensure that the criminal justice process is fair, outcomes are just, and individual liberties are rigorously protected. This Law Clerk position offers a unique opportunity to contribute directly to this vital mission, assisting a criminal defense team that represents clients on behalf of the people of Kentucky and helps the most vulnerable members of their communities.

The TL;DR
• Role: Early Career
• Type: Full-time, eligible for overtime pay, 37.5 hours/week
• Location: In-person, Prestonsburg, KY
• Pay: $41952–$62928 yearly
• Team: Operates within a collaborative criminal defense team in the Prestonsburg Trial Office, working alongside attorneys, investigators, alternative sentencing workers, and office administrative staff.
• Mission: This person provides essential support to the criminal defense team, directly contributing to ensuring a fair criminal justice process, achieving just results, and protecting individual liberties for clients.

What You’ll Actually Do
• Legal Research and Writing: Provide comprehensive legal support to attorneys by conducting in-depth legal research and preparing various forms of legal writing, which are crucial for representing defendants effectively.
• Client Engagement: Conduct interviews with clients to gather all necessary information, understand their circumstances, and effectively prepare for their defense within the criminal justice process.
• Setting-Based Duties: Perform core responsibilities primarily in both professional office environments and dynamic courtroom settings, adapting to the demands of each.
• Travel Requirements: Undertake necessary travel as an integral part of the role, ensuring effective representation and support for clients across different locations.
• General Team Support: Execute other assigned duties as required to provide broad support and ensure the efficient functioning of the criminal defense team.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Successful completion of at least twenty-four semester hours from an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school is the foundational educational requirement for this position.
• Experience: No specific prior professional experience, formal training, or specialized skills are mandated. The position is designed for individuals who meet the educational prerequisite without requiring previous work history in the legal field.
• Skills: Candidates must demonstrate exceptional planning and organizational abilities, exhibit a strong self-directed work ethic, and be comfortable collaborating effectively with a diverse defense team that includes attorneys, investigators, alternative sentencing workers, and office administrative staff.
• Bonus: The ideal candidate profile includes individuals who have recently completed all coursework for a Juris Doctor (JD) degree from an ABA-accredited law school and are actively planning to take the next available bar exam. Alternatively, candidates who have recently received their license to practice law are also highly desirable. A proven desire to help the most vulnerable individuals within their communities is a significant plus.