Law Clerk I - Post-Conviction Relief Act ("PCRA") Unit

Company Description

A best-in-class city that attracts best-in-class talent, Philadelphia is an incredible place to build a career. From our thriving arts scene and rich history to our culture of passion and grit, there are countless reasons to love living and working here. With a workforce of over 30,000 people, and more than 1,000 different job categories, the City of Philadelphia offers boundless opportunities to make an impact.

As an employer, the City of Philadelphia values inclusion, integrity, innovation, empowerment, and hard work above all else. We offer a vibrant work environment, comprehensive health care and benefits, and the experience you need to grow and excel. If you’re interested in working with a passionate team of people who care about the future of Philadelphia, start here.

What we offer

• Impact - The work you do here matters to millions. 
• Growth - Philadelphia is growing, why not grow with it? 
• Diversity & Inclusion - Find a career in a place where everyone belongs.
• Benefits - We care about your well-being.

Agency Description

The First Judicial District of Pennsylvania (“FJD”) is the Philadelphia County Court System and is composed of two courts:  the Court of Common Pleas and the Municipal Court.  The mission of the FJD is to adjudicate cases and provide services to the community within our jurisdiction while ensuring fair, timely, and accessible justice to the people of Philadelphia.  The FJD is part of the Unified Judicial System reporting in to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.

Job Description

The PCRA Law Clerk I is a full-time, in person position for the Court of Common Pleas, Criminal Trial Division.  An employee in this class is responsible for professional legal work as a law clerk reviewing and drafting dispositions on petitions for relief under the Post-Conviction Relief Act (PCRA). The primary task of a law clerk in the PCRA Unit is to review motions and case history to draft 907 notices, orders, and opinions for review by the designated PCRA Judge. Work performed involves a greater degree of expertise due to the greater volume of cases for review and the need to function in a specialized area of law.  

By Order of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, effective September 1, 2005, all law clerks employed by the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania Courts are prohibited from appearing as counsel in the division/section of the court in which they work and are employed. Further, in courts with no formally established divisions or sections, the law clerks are prohibited from appearing as counsel in the court itself.

In order to apply and be considered for this position, please visit https://fjdcareers.phila.gov/Cyberweb/ to complete an application and upload a resume.

Essential Functions

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Review petitions and procedural history
• Research legal sources for briefs or opinions based on statutory law, decisions, and precedents of higher courts.
• Searches for and studies legal records and documents to obtain data applicable to cases under consideration.
• Prepares rough drafts of opinions.
• Prepares high-quality briefs, orders, and opinions by reviewing documents, files, and case correspondence and submit to assigned judicial authority for review and signature in a timely manner.
• Completes docketing and service of notices, orders, and opinions.
• Maintains files on case documents and all related correspondence.
• Completes administrative tasks associated with assigned caseload.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, members of the judiciary, court and departmental administrators, and diverse court clientele and members of the public.
• Performs related work as required.

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS

Provide general information about the assigned functions.

Performs related work as required.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

Standard clerical office conditions.

Direct contact with diverse court clientele.

In order to apply and be considered for this position, please visit https://fjdcareers.phila.gov/Cyberweb/ to complete an application and upload a resume.

Competencies, Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

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