Job Details for Part-Time Pro Se Law Clerk

To qualify for the position of pro se law clerk, an individual must be a law school graduate (or be certified as having completed all law school studies and requirements and merely awaiting conferment of degree) from a law school of recognized standing, and have demonstrated one of the following accomplishments or proficiencies:
(a) Standing within the upper third of the law school class from a law school of the approved list of either the American Bar Association or the Association of American Law Schools;
(b) Experience on the editorial board of a law review of such a school;
(c) Graduation from such a school with an LLM degree; or
(d) Proficiency in legal studies that, in the opinion of the appointing judge, is the equivalency of one of the above. Some examples of criteria that are considered to be acceptable as equivalent include:

1. Publication of a noteworthy article in a law school student publication or other scholarly publication;
2. Special high-level honors for academic excellence in law school, such as election to the Order of the Coif;
3. Winning of a moot court competition or membership on a moot court team that represent the law school in competition with other law schools;
4. Participation in the legal aid or other law school clinical program sanctioned by the law school;* or
5. Summer experience as a law clerk to a state or local judge or law clerk experience on a continuing basis in a private firm while attending school, i.e., working one’s way through college.(To receive credit, participation and experience could not have been for academic credit.)

This list is not all-inclusive; the determination of an acceptable equivalence rests with the appointing judge.

The number of years of legal work experience possessed, as well as bar membership, impacts salary. Prior work experience in a court as well as knowledge of civil rights and habeas corpus law and federal procedure is preferred.

Legal work experience is progressively responsible experience in the practice of law, in legal research, legal administration, or equivalent experience received after graduation from law school. Major or substantial legal activities while in military service may be credited, on a month-for-month basis whether before or after graduation, but not to exceed on year if before graduation. Candidates must be able to analyze complex legal issues and comprehend a wide range of legal concepts, principles and practices as they relate to pro se litigation, as well as be able to write and perform legal research accurately and expeditiously. The successful candidate will be detail-oriented, possess excellent interpersonal skills, strong organizational skills, a positive attitude, the ability to communicate complex issues in simple terms with a professional demeanor, and the ability to manage priorities with limited supervision.