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Berrien County Trial Court Job Description

Title: LAW CLERK I Class Code: 4305

Division: ALL DIVISIONS

General Summary:

The Law Clerk is employed at will, at the pleasure of the Chief Judge of the Berrien County Trial Court as provided in MCL 600.1471(4), following appointment for one year by the Chief Judge. The Law Clerk is under the general supervision by the Chief Judge and direct supervision by the Judge to whom the Law Clerk is primarily assigned, the Presiding Judges, and the Trial Court Administrator and/or designee.

The Law Clerk uses discretion and judgment in applying the skills, advanced knowledge and insight necessarily obtained in graduating from law school:

• to analyze, interpret and make deductions and inferences from varying facts and circumstances while researching civil and criminal motions and related legal matters
• to prepare memoranda regarding the facts of a case, the basis of motions, and legal analysis of issues involved
• to record court hearings on such motions and occasionally on other proceedings
• to draft proposed opinions and orders
• to perform other duties as assigned

As provided in MCL 600.1471(4), the Law Clerk’s employment may be renewed for a second year.

Supervision Received:

Work is performed under the general supervision by the Chief Judge and direct supervision by the Judge to whom the Law Clerk is primarily assigned, the Presiding Judges, and the Trial Court Administrator and/or designee.

Supervision Exercised:

None.

Typical Duties:

• Conducts legal research and prepares memoranda on civil motions,

outlining issues and arguments of both parties involved, and the proposed dispositions with stated reasons.

• Conducts legal research and prepares memoranda on criminal motions,

outlining issues and arguments of both parties involved, and the proposed dispositions with stated reasons.

• Prepares a draft of proposed opinions and orders.

Law Clerk I Job Description; June 18, 2013

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• Reads, classifies, and maintains all briefs filed in the Civil Division in subject matter files for easy reference by the Court as needed.
• Maintains and updates the County Law Library and other research materials, shelves new volumes and maintains appropriate files, etc.
• Performs a variety of tasks incidental to the above, such as responding to inquiries from attorneys and others, composing and storing the work product, and other office and administrative duties.
• Serves as court organizer for motions.
• May be required to work flexible hours in the fulfillment of the duties of Law Clerk.
• Completes special projects and assignments, including complex legal research, as required by a Trial Court Judge.
• Must obtain state certification as a certified electronic operator to operate court recording equipment and record court hearings according to state mandated policies, procedures.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

Education: Graduation from an accredited law school is required.

Experience: No previous experience in legal research is required. Familiarity

with Westlaw and LexisNexis.

Special Employment Conditions:

A person in this position must:

• successfully pass the Michigan Bar Exam and be admitted to practice law in the State of Michigan within the first year of employment to continue employment as a Law Clerk.
• successfully complete training and obtain state certification as a certified electronic Operator (CEO) to operate courtroom recording equipment and record official court record.
• possess a valid vehicle operator’s license.
• pass an employment entrance medical examination (physical and mental)
• pass pre-employment drug and alcohol tests and criminal and civil record checks.
• be fingerprinted.

In accordance with the Trial Court’s policy, during employment, the Law Clerk

must undergo:

• medical examinations (physical and mental) that are job related and consistent with business necessity
• random and for cause drug and alcohol tests

The Law Clerk shall:

• use appropriate speech and dress
• maintain the highest level of personal and professional conduct for work in a court setting

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• maintain complete confidentiality for all Trial Court work
• maintain regular, reliable, and predictable attendance
• maintain confidentiality, effective working relationships with other

employees, and interact effectively with the general public

The Law Clerk may be assigned to work at any Berrien County Trial Court
location during the course of employment.

This description is intended to describe the type and level of work performed by a
person assigned to this job. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties and
responsibilities required by a person so classified.

Desirable Knowledge. Skills and Abilities:

Knowledge of the Michigan court system, laws, court rules, case law, Michigan
Motor Vehicle Code, courtroom operations, and procedures. Ability to use word
processing and spreadsheet software.

Working Conditions:

Normal office environment, lifting of up to 25 pounds is expected, and some
reaching and bending for file manipulation is required. Prolonged sitting and
standing are required based on specific job duties and assignments. Exposure
to people charged or convicted of criminal offenses.

Approved:

__
**

Thomas E. Nelson, Trial Court Chief Judge Date

Grade 10 Status: Exempt Nonunion June 2013

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Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $50,130.00 - $67,179.00 per year

Work Location: In person