Appellate Law Clerk

Job Description

Appellate Law Clerk | Colorado Judicial Branch

The Tone:
This is an early career position within the Colorado Judicial Branch, an organization dedicated to providing equal access to justice, ensuring public safety, and upholding the rule of law across Colorado. The department’s courts and probation units are committed to impartial dispute resolution, supporting all parties, and fostering community engagement. This role is crucial in supporting a justice or judge of the appellate court by providing highly complex legal research and writing, directly contributing to fair and timely legal decisions.

The TL;DR
• Role: Early Career
• Type: Full-time
• Location: In-person, Denver, CO
• Pay: $67910–$98470 yearly
• Team: Reports to a single justice or judge of the appellate court.
• Mission: This person provides essential legal research, writing, and editing support to a justice or judge to aid in impartial and timely dispute resolution and the strengthening of the rule of law.

What You’ll Actually Do
• Reviews Appeals: Analyze incoming appeals, prepare predisposition memoranda, and conduct thorough legal research relevant to the issues.
• Drafts Opinions: Collaborate with the justice or judge to research, write, and edit judicial opinions, including concurring or dissenting opinions.
• Finalizes Opinions: Perform meticulous final editing, citation and record checking, and formatting to prepare opinions for official issuance.
• Supports Court Operations: May review briefs for compliance with appellate rules and perform bailiff duties, including preparing and restoring the courtroom for oral arguments.
• Manages Administration: Handle administrative and organizational responsibilities, such as pulling and distributing case materials, and attend required meetings and training.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Graduation from an accredited law school, with strong foundational knowledge in legal research, writing, and analysis.
• Experience: Must be able to serve a minimum two-year term as an Appellate Law Clerk.
• Skills: Highly complex legal research, advanced legal writing, precise legal editing, critical analysis of legal issues, and strong organizational abilities.
• Bonus: Availability for a longer term beyond two years; demonstrated prior research, writing, or editing experience (including law journal work); previous judicial internship or clerkship experience; and unique personal challenges or life experiences that enrich your background.