Law Clerk

Full Job Description

The Judicial Department works to provide equal access to justice, contribute to public safety, and strengthen the rule of law across Colorado. Together our courts and probation departments are committed to impartial and timely dispute resolution; support for families, litigants, and victims; client rehabilitation; and meaningful community engagement.

Requirements

General Statement Of Duties:

SUMMARY OF JOB CLASSIFICATION: Provides assistance and research to a district court judge in the Colorado Judicial Department.

Distinguishing Factors:

Positions in this classification are distinguished from legal research attorneys due to the concentration on legal services for a district judge and often includes courtroom and bailiff duties.

Supervision is received from a District Court Judge. The Law Clerk is a classified, non-certified position that is considered at-will and may be terminated at any time with or without cause.

Essential Functions: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform assigned essential functions listed below satisfactorily.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Frequency and percentage of time may vary based on assignment.

• Researches, studies, and annotates laws, court decisions, documents, opinions, briefs, and related legal authorities to process suits, trials, hearings, appeals, and other litigated matters.

• Reads and digests opinions, briefs, and motions and extracts excerpts pertinent to points of law and fact.

• Prepares briefs, legal memoranda, and statement of issues involved in a case, including appropriate suggestions or recommendations to the judge.

• Inspects courtroom for cleanliness, orderliness, proper heat, light, and ventilation; opens court by announcing the entrance of the judge.

• Maintains the order, decorum, and dignity of the court by seating jurors, witnesses, and spectators in specific areas of the courtroom and by ejecting persons disturbing court proceedings.

• Arranges for food and lodging for jurors, and is responsible for the security of the jury so as to preclude mistrials.

• Obtains and delivers file jackets, minutes, supplies, forms and related items necessary for use by the judge and the staff.

• Attends meetings and training as required.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Additional Comments: This posting is to fill a September 2026 civil court opening in Jefferson County. The caseload occasionally includes probate proceedings and criminal appeals.

The position also occasionally acts as a jury bailiff. The posting may be used to create an eligibility list for future openings.

The posting may be extended but first review date will be February 28, 2026. Offers of employment typically start with the base salary for this position. Relevant experience will be considered.

To apply, please submit:

-Resume

-Cover Letter

-Short Writing Sample

-Unofficial law school transcript

*Should authors wish to submit letters of recommendation directly to the Court, they may email natalie.hansell@judicial.state.co.us by the close date of the posting.

Supervisor Responsibilities: No formal supervisory responsibility. Responsibility for one's own work product and work within a unit performing similar functions. Rarely provides lead function, advice, or explains work instructions to other employees or volunteers.

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear.

The employee is occasionally required to walk; use hands and arms to perform repetitive motions; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment: Occasionally handles emergency or crisis situations; frequently subject to interruptions, and multiple calls and inquiries. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

Qualifications

Education and Experience Equivalency:

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and successful completion of two years at an accredited law school.

Additional Information

The Colorado Judicial Department is committed to ensuring equal access to and full participation in court and probation services and programs for qualified individuals with disabilities, including employees of the Colorado Judicial Department.

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is an important part of our culture, and we are committed to provide reasonable accommodations when needed without causing undue hardship to the Colorado Judicial Department.

Each district has an ADA Coordinator and Jury Commissioner.

The ADA Coordinator is responsible for initiating the interactive process once an employee, court or probation services participant has made a request for reasonable accommodation and the Jury Commissioner is responsible for initiating the interactive process once a juror has made a request for a reasonable accommodation.

How to Apply:

For more information and to apply online, please visit our website listed below:

https://www.coloradojudicial.gov/careers

Please note: Applications must be submitted before 11:59 p.m. on the closing date. Incomplete or new applications will not be accepted after this time.