Law Clerk II (01205)- Montana Supreme Court

This first review of applications will be December 2, 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

This position is eligible for full-time telework in the State of Montana

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

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

This position is in Helena, MT. Helena exists as a crossroads between past and present, tame and untamed, mountainous wilderness and hometown warmth. A place where you can hike for miles without seeing a soul, stroll through our charming downtown, and enjoy breweries with breathtaking views—all in the same day.

From the early roots of Blackfeet, Salish, Crow and Bannock tribes who found this land abundant with bison and natural resources - to the four lucky prospectors who, in their last efforts, struck gold in 1864 - Helena is a place rich with history, beauty, and life. Learn more by visiting https://www.visitmt.com/

­Job Overview:

This is professional legal work performed for Chief Justice- elect Corey Swanson of the Montana Supreme Court located in Helena, Montana.

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

Job Duties:

• Review classification memoranda developed by a Judge for an assigned opinion.
• Review appellant and respondent briefs, trial court casefiles, and transcripts.
• Research appropriate and relevant case law, state and federal codes or constitutions, regulations, or other authoritative resources as to the assigned opinion.
• Discuss relevant issues and legal theories with justice when necessary and appropriate.
• Draft proposed opinion and/or appropriate memoranda.
• Revise proposed opinion based upon justice(s) comments/instructions.
• Finalize opinions; verify all legal citations as still authoritative and current; edit for grammar, punctuation, spelling; and read opinions out loud with judicial administrative assistant.
• Review and check briefs filed with the Clerk of the Supreme Court for compliance with the Rules of Appellate Procedure, draft orders regarding non-compliance when necessary.
• Perform marshal duties during oral arguments before the Supreme Court.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Behaviors):

• Review classification memoranda developed by a Judge for an assigned opinion.
• Review appellant and respondent briefs, trial court casefiles, and transcripts.
• Research appropriate and relevant case law, state and federal codes or constitutions, regulations, or other authoritative resources as to the assigned opinion.
• Discuss relevant issues and legal theories with justice when necessary and appropriate.
• Draft proposed opinion and/or appropriate memoranda.
• Revise proposed opinion based upon justice(s) comments/instructions.
• Finalize opinions; verify all legal citations as still authoritative and current; edit for grammar, punctuation, spelling; and read opinions out loud with judicial administrative assistant.
• Review and check briefs filed with the Clerk of the Supreme Court for compliance with the Rules of Appellate Procedure, draft orders regarding non-compliance when necessary.
• Perform marshal duties during oral arguments before the Supreme Court.

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.