Law Clerk

Job Description

Job Description

POSITION TITLE: Law Clerk

REPORTS TO: Supervising Attorney

SUPERVISES/CO-SUPERVISES: None

FLSA EXEMPTION STATUS: Non-Exempt

UNION-ELIGIBLE: No – Temporary/Seasonal

Position Summary

The Law Clerk provides legal research and support to attorneys within the organization. They assist with reviewing and analyzing client records and other evidence, drafting client correspondence, conducting research, drafting legal pleadings, motions, and legal briefs, and communicating with clients, attorneys, and other DRTX staff about current cases or projects. On occasion, they may have the opportunity to attend court or administrative hearings or meet with clients in both community and institutional settings.

Physical/Mental Requirements

1. Uses personal computer approximately 6-7 hours per day.
2. Uses telephone and email to communicate with clients and other professionals, approximately 3-5 hours per day.
3. Spends approximately 1 hour per day in meetings.
4. Sits approximately 6-7 hours per day.
5. Requires working under a minimal degree of stress.

Essential Functions

The Law Clerk assists attorneys in providing legal services and advice to Disability Rights Texas’s clients. Work tasks will include:

1. Reviewing and analyzing client records and evidence,
2. Drafting written communications to clients, DRTX staff, or third parties,
3. Conducting legal research using Westlaw or Lexis,
4. Drafting legal pleadings, motions, and legal briefs,
5. Maintaining accurate and complete client records,
6. Applying the principles of the organization’s vision and values in all work-related business and interactions, and
7. Performing other duties as requested or required.

Required Qualifications

1. Current enrollment in or a graduate from an Accredited Law School,
2. Demonstrated effective written and oral communication skills,
3. Awareness and knowledge of problems experienced by persons with disabilities,
4. Excellent interpersonal, relationship-building and collaboration skills demonstrating an ability to work effectively with others,
5. The ability to take direction and independently follow through on all instructions,
6. Excellent attention to detail, follow-up and organizational skills,
7. Ability to multi-task and meet deadlines,
8. Demonstrate commitment to high levels of service excellence, integrity, ethics and sound judgment, and
9. Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint), legal research programs (Westlaw and/or Lexis), and ability to learn legal case management software (LegalFiles).

The purpose of this position description is to serve as a general summary and overview of the major duties and responsibilities of the job. It is not intended to represent the entirety of the job nor is it intended to be all-inclusive. Therefore, the position may be required or requested to perform for Disability Rights Texas other work duties not specifically listed herein. Management reserves the right to modify, defer or rescind this position description at any time, with or without prior notice.