Law Clerk

Job Description

Law Clerk | Commonwealth of Kentucky

The Tone:
This is a full-time role at the Commonwealth of Kentucky’s Justice & Public Safety Cabinet, specifically within the Department of Public Advocacy (DPA), located in Owensboro, KY. The DPA is nationally recognized as a model statewide public defender system with an exceptional training and education program. This role is critical in assisting criminal defense teams to ensure the criminal justice process is fair, results are just, and individual liberties are protected for the most vulnerable in Kentucky communities.

The TL;DR
• Role: Early Career
• Type: FULL TIME | 37.5 HR/WK | ELIGIBLE FOR OVERTIME PAY
• Location: In-person, Owensboro, KY
• Pay: $43,210.08–$64,816.08 Annually
• Team: Works as part of a criminal defense team, collaborating with attorneys, investigators, alternative sentencing workers, and office administrative staff.
• Mission: Provide essential legal support to ensure fair criminal justice outcomes and protect individual liberties for clients on behalf of the people of Kentucky.

What You’ll Actually Do
• Legal Research: Conduct thorough legal research to provide support for attorneys representing defendants.
• Legal Writing: Draft and prepare various written legal documents as required for criminal defense cases.
• Client Interviews: Interview clients and other relevant individuals to gather necessary information for defense strategies.
• Courtroom Support: Perform duties and provide assistance primarily in courtroom settings as part of the defense team.
• Travel Requirements: Undertake travel as required to fulfill responsibilities associated with case management and client representation.

The Must-Haves
• Background: Completion of twenty-four semester hours at an American Bar Association (ABA) accredited law school, preparing for an early career in legal support.
• Experience: None required.
• Skills: Demonstrated exceptional planning and organizational skills, self-directed work ethic, and comfort working collaboratively within a multidisciplinary defense team.
• Bonus: Recently completed all coursework at an ABA accredited law school to receive a Juris Doctor (JD) degree with plans to take the next available bar exam, or has recently received a license to practice law; demonstrated desire to help the most vulnerable in communities.