Job Description

This posting is for the position of Judicial Law Clerk to Judge Leon Tucker of Court of Common Pleas Trial Division-Civil Philadelphia Commerce Court Case Management Program. "Commerce Court" is a specialized civil program of the Trial Division of the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. Commercial and business-to-business disputes filed after January 2000, that are not subject to the court's Compulsory Arbitration Program, are assigned to the Commerce Court. All Class Actions and motions regarding Confessed Judgments are also assigned to the Commerce Court. Real Estate Tax and Water/Sewer Lien Sequestration Petitions are assigned to the Supervising Judge of the Commerce Court.

Cases assigned to the Commerce Court are governed by the same state and local rules of procedure that apply to all other civil cases. Each case in the Commerce Court is assigned to His Honor, who is then responsible for handling all aspects of the case, including discovery disputes, preliminary objections, summary judgment and other motions, and trial.

Duties of the Law Clerk include, providing judiciary with assistance in writing briefs and memoranda, drafting opinions, and advising on legal and administrative issues regarding pending cases. The Law Clerk would be required to be present in court, as necessary, serve as liaison between judicial chambers and other departments. Prepare cases for court and communicates with attorneys and litigants as needed. While performing the duties of this position, you will interact with a variety of court staff, judicial staff, and other judges.

By Order of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, effective September 1, 2005, all law clerks employed by judges of the courts of the Unified Judicial System of Pennsylvania are prohibited from appearing as counsel in the division/section of the court in which the judge by whom they are employed serves. Further, in courts which have no formally established divisions or sections, the law clerks are prohibited from appearing as counsel in the court itself.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

THE FOLLOWING DUTIES ARE NORMAL FOR THIS POSITION BUT SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS EXCLUSIVE OR ALL-INCLUSIVE.  OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES MAY BE REQUIRED AND/OR ASSIGNED.

• Researches legal sources for briefs or opinions based on statutory law, decisions, and precedents of higher courts.
• Search for and studies legal records and documents to obtain data applicable to cases under consideration.
• Prepare drafts of opinions, orders, and conclusions of law.
• Maintain document files and case correspondence.
• Investigate and recommend solutions to administrative and procedural issues.
• Perform 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

YOU MUST VISIT  https://fjdcareers.phila.gov/Cyberweb/fjdcareers.aspx /TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION BY JULY 1, 2022.  APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED AT https://fjdcareers.phila.gov/Cyberweb/fjdcareers.aspx t/

COMPETENCIES, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Considerable knowledge of the components and functions of the justice system.
• Knowledge of the techniques and processes of legal research.
• Knowledge of the preparation of motions, petitions, and similar instruments.
• Ability to prepare, for judicial approval, orders, and opinions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with members of the judiciary, court personnel, departmental administrators, attorneys, and associates.
• Ability to use Westlaw and/or Lexis/Nexis.

­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­­THE FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.  IN COMPLIANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, THE FIRST JUDICIAL DISTRICT WILL PROVIDE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS TO QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES AND ENCOURAGES BOTH PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYEES AND INCUMBENTS TO DISCUSS POTENTIAL ACCOMMODATIONS WITH THE EMPLOYER.

YOU MUST VISIT  https://fjdcareers.phila.gov/Cyberweb/fjdcareers.aspx /TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION BY JULY 1, 2022.  APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED AT https://fjdcareers.phila.gov/Cyberweb/fjdcareers.aspx t

Qualifications

AN APPLICATION FOR THIS POSITION SHOULD INCLUDE A COVER LETTER, RESUME, WRITING SAMPLE, TRANSCRIPT, AND THREE REFERENCES.

PLEASE COMPLETE THE APPLICATION PROCESS AT:  https://fjdcareers.phila.gov/Cyberweb/fjdcareers.aspx

REQUIREMENTS:

• Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school.
• Membership of the Bar of the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is not a requirement for Law Clerk 1; however, if you are a current member of the Bar, you must be, and remain in good standing.
• Strong academic background.
• Superior writing, research, and analytical skills.
• City residency required within six (6) months of satisfactory completion of a six (6) month orientation period.
• Must successfully complete a criminal (or financial) background investigation
• Ability to perform the essential functions of the position.
• Proof of Covid-19 Vaccination is required.

YOU MUST VISIT  https://fjdcareers.phila.gov/Cyberweb/fjdcareers.aspx /TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION BY JULY 1, 2022.  APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED AT https://fjdcareers.phila.gov/Cyberweb/fjdcareers.aspx t

Additional Information

Salary Range: $53,171 - $58,496

Did you know?

• We are a Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program qualified employer
• 25% tuition discount program for City employees (and sometimes spouses and dependents as well) in partnership with area colleges and universities
• We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Employees receive paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options are available

*THE SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATE MUST BE A CITY OF PHILADELPHIA RESIDENT WITHIN SIX MONTHS OF HIRE

_PLEASE NOTE THAT EFFECTIVE SEPTEMBER 1, 2021 THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA IS REQUIRING ALL NEW EMPLOYEES TO PRESENT PROOF OF VACCINATION AGAINST COVID-19. _

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race, ethnicity, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, marital status, source of income, familial status, genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against, call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at 215-686-4670 or send an email to faqpchr@phila.gov.

For more information, go to: Human Relations Website: http://www.phila.gov/humanrelations/Pages/default.aspx

The First Judicial District is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the First Judicial District will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.