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Current
Employment Opportunities
Pro
Se Services
The positions listed in this database are NOT current job openings.
PRO SE STAFF ATTORNEY: United States District Court, Central District of California. Los Angeles, CA. Summary: A Pro Se Staff Attorney works under the supervision of United States Magistrate Judges. Duties: Duties of the position include drafting legal memoranda, Reports and Recommendations, Decisions and Orders, as well as analyzing statutes and legal issues in federal habeas corpus, civil rights and social security disability matters. A Pro Se Attorney may work on cases assigned to all Divisions of the Court. Qualifications: Strong academic credentials from an ABA-accredited law school, polished writing skills and superior analytical ability is required. Bar membership is required. Salary: $63,945-$140,008 (2011).
COURT EXECUTIVE 1B: Ombudsman, Middlesex Vicinage, Trial Court Services Division. New Brunswick, NJ. Summary: Under the general direction of the Court Executive 3B (Trial Court Administrator) is responsible for assisting in the direction and supervision of the daily operations of the statewide Ombudsman program. Duties: Prepare technical, statistical, financial, review or evaluation reports; provide training or cross-training to co-workers; attend and participate in meetings outside of work unit/team; answer questions posed by public, clients, customers, complainants, subordinates or supervisors; recommend improvements in operating procedures, work processes or administrative practices; communicate human resources policies, rules or regulations to staff or team members; mentor and coach staff; provide direction and feedback; review and correct work of staff; recommend personnel actions; mediate conflict among staff or team members; conduct training sessions or orientation programs; conduct formal work performance evaluations with staff or team members; reconcile employee grievances; interview job or team applicants; evaluate program performance in accordance with established policies and procedures; plan agendas for meetings. Perform related work as required. Qualifications: Graduations from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree. Three years of increasingly responsible administrative experience, one of which shall have included experience in planning, organizing and coordinating program or case related activities. Salary: $69,251 - $104,333 (2011).
CHIEF COUNSEL TO DISTRICT COURT (PRO SE LITIGATION): United States District Court, Southern District of New York. New York, NY. Summary: The principal responsibility of the Chief Counsel will be to lead the Pro Se Litigation Office, which currently has a staff of 8 staff attorneys. The Pro Se Litigation Office serves the District and Magistrate Judges of the Court in the handling of all pro se cases, the largest categories of which are civil rights actions and petitions for writs of habeas corpus and many of which are filed by incarcerated plaintiffs. The Office assists the Court in the initial review of all pro se filings for the purposes of determining jurisdiction and whether the filings are subject to sua sponte dismissal. During the processing of pro se cases, the Office advises judges on issues that impact the management of such litigation and may assist judges in drafting substantive decisions. The Office will be responsible for tracking all pro se cases, maintaining pertinent records, and advising the Court with regard to relevant issues affecting pro se litigation. The Office prepares forms, manuals and other materials to provide procedural assistance to pro se litigants. The Chief Counsel will work closely with the Chief Judge and senior personnel in the Clerk’s Office and the District Executive’s Office to insure that all pro se matters are being properly docketed, managed, and addressed; serve as liaison to the offices of the United States Attorney, New York State Attorney General, and the New York City Corporation Counsel with regard to pro se litigation involving those offices; and coordinate programs and activities with the private bar to encourage volunteer attorneys to represent pro se litigants in appropriate cases. Duties: The Chief Counsel, under the direction of the Chief Judge, will be responsible for the hiring of staff attorneys, planning, training, supervision, case management, and other operations of the Pro Se Litigation Office. In particular, the day-today duties and responsibilities of this position will include the supervision and training of staff attorneys and review of their written work before submission to the judges of the Court. The Chief Counsel will provide advice to District and Magistrate Judges regarding pro se cases, supervise the preparation of legal memoranda and draft dispositions and other orders for the Chief Judge in certain pro-se cases, evaluate the pro se staff attorneys’ professional performance and recommend personnel actions, as well as other managerial duties. Qualifications: Applicants must possess a Juris Doctor from a law school accredited by the American Bar Association and be admitted to the bar in a Federal court of general jurisdiction. Applicants also must have excellent academic credentials and superior analytical, research, and writing skills with law review or equivalent legal research experience. At least seven years of relevant legal and/or management experience post-Juris Doctor, including three years of federal court experience, is required, and applicants must possess expertise in federal civil and criminal procedure and substantive law. Salary: $128,241-$155,500 (2010).
FAMILY LAW FACILITATOR/SELF HELP CENTER ATTORNEY: Superior Court of California, County of Siskiyou. Summary: Duties: Develop, plan, implement and administer a Family Law Facilitator Program pursuant to Family Code Section 10000 et seq; Mediation of complex family law matters such as paternity, temporary or permanent child/spousal support and parentage proceedings. Interview self-represented litigants to identify all legal issues presented by their circumstances and review evidence presented. Draft stipulations to include all agreed upon issues related to family support, health insurance and paternity issues; Prepare child support and spousal support calculations and schedules using required computer software or web-based programs. Provide information to litigants not represented by counsel on matters of process and procedure. Provide educational materials to the public and respond to public inquiries. Provide information and access to services to incarcerated self-represented litigants as the need arises. Provide information on process and procedural matters to litigants through the delivery of programs. Design contents of, and conduct clinics for, self-represented litigants in many different areas of law as identified and needed in the community. Develop, plan, implement and administer self-help grant programs. Distribute necessary court forms and provide assistance in completing forms. Provide legal assistance to self-represented litigants to facilitate and expedite family law proceedings related to child support, spousal support and health insurance matters. Provide information and direction to customers, and assist with any other responsibilities to enable the court to be responsive to the self-represented litigants needs and to assist them in obtaining meaningful access to services. Meet with court officials, state and county departments, community organizations and others to assess the need for and identify services that will assist the court in resolving child and spousal support disputes and improves access to the Family Court for financially disadvantaged litigants or other self-represented litigants. Perform research activities as needed to provide facilitator or self-represented litigant services. Provides referrals to local child support agency, family court services, attorneys and other community agencies and related resources. Trains and oversees work of support staff. Develop informational and legal documents to support all aspects of family law and specific civil proceedings. Perform other related duties as assigned. Qualifications: Candidates must be a current member of the California State Bar and be in good standing. Have a minimum of five years experience as an attorney in the practice of law, litigation and mediation of legal disputes or other experience that would have developed the required knowledge and abilities. Candidates should have a significant practical experience in the fields of family law, guardianship and other areas of law appropriate to the position. Salary: $71,570.83 - $86,994.79 (2008)
SELF-HELP
LAW PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR: Montana Supreme Court Administrator’s Office,
Helena,
MT.
Summary: Responsible for
administering and coordinating the Montana Supreme Court
Self-Help Law Program. Duties:
Work includes providing technical assistance and training to
recipients of Self-Help Law Program funds; collecting and
analyzing evaluation data for all components of the program; and
serving as a liaison among various commissions, agencies, and
organizations responsible for implementing the program. The
successful applicant must be comfortable working in a new
position with evolving duties. Excellent communications skills
are required. Qualifications:
Graduation from an accredited college or university, and
four years of responsible professional experience in the fields
of law, social or human services, and/or public or business
administration. Graduation from an accredited law school is
preferred. Salary: $19.82 per hour. (2007)
PRO
SE LAW CLERK:
United States
District Court for the District of Utah, Office of the Clerk
of Court. Summary: The
United States District Court for the District of Utah seeks
applications for the position of Pro Se Law Clerk. Duties: This is a full-time judicial support position that works
closely with and under the supervision of the court's two
magistrate judges; the primary duty is to assist them in the
management and processing of cases filed by incarcerated and
other pro se litigants. The incumbent will be responsible for:
screening complaints, petitions, and motions, including state
habeas corpus petitions, motions to vacate sentence, and civil
rights complaints, that have been filed by pro se litigants to
determine their legal merit, the issues involved, and the basis
for relief; screening of other pro se litigation such as social
security and equal opportunity complaints; tracking the progress
of and working with the magistrate judges to effectively manage
all pro se cases; advising the magistrate judges on the relative
status and priority needs of assigned cases; drafting orders,
reports and recommendations for the disposition of pro se cases;
compiling statistics and preparing periodic reports reflecting
the status and flow of pro se litigation; maintaining liaison
between pro se litigants, judicial officials, and other
officials such as the U.S. Attorney's Office; maintaining
contact with pro se litigants who visit and appear in court;
responding orally and in writing to a variety of questions
relating to legal procedure and other process posed by pro se
litigants; answering correspondence and telephone inquiries from
pro se litigants; evaluating current procedures and process to
determine whether they can be made more efficient and promote
more expeditious processing of pro se litigation; and preparing
and updating pro se litigant forms and instructional packets
designed to assist unrepresented parties in drafting complaints
and to avoid time-consuming procedural errors so cases can be
processed efficiently. Qualifications:
Applicants must have earned a law degree from an
accredited law school and be members in good standing of the
Utah State Bar in either active or inactive status. A minimum of
one year of relevant legal experience in a court environment or
as a practicing attorney at law is required. Applicants should
provide evidence of excellent communication skills, both oral
and written, and should include three relatively brief writing
samples with their applications. Applicants must demonstrate
excellent legal research skills in both automated and manual
systems. Experience with prisoner/pro se litigation or other
civil rights litigation is preferred. Acceptance of the position
precludes engaging in private practice. Salary: $34,575 (JSP
9/1) - $91,589 (JSP 14/10) (2007)
COURT EXECUTIVE 1B (OMBUDSMAN): Morris/Sussex
Vicinage, Morristown, New Jersey. Summary:
The Morris/Sussex vicinage is seeking a pro-active leader
with a keen organizational awareness, exceptional interpersonal
and conflict management skills and an ability to think
creatively under stressful circumstances to serve as Court
Executive 1b (Ombudsman). Duties:
Under the general direction of the Court Executive 3b (Trial
Court Administrator), the individual will serve as the liaison
for the delivery of superior customer service Vicinage wide. A thorough and complete understanding of the
organization, coupled with a high degree of interpersonal and
conflict management skills, are essential for the position.
The incumbent must be comfortable interacting with the
public, internal customers, including judges, and external
entities in a challenging, fluid court environment.
Duties will include, but not be limited to: providing
assistance to customers, including self-represented (pro-se)
litigants, by explaining court operations, processes and
procedures; educating the public regarding programs and
services; facilitating the resolution of customer complaints by
providing information, assistance, guidance, referrals, or
making appropriate inquiries; providing resource materials;
developing and coordinating public education programs;
maintaining a resources library of lists including lists of
state and local social service agencies and lawyer referral
services for the use of court customers; making recommendations
to the Assignment judge or Trial Court Administrator for
improvement in court services for the public; developing and/or
providing training related to customer service and the role of
the Ombudsman; compiling, inputting and assessing data from
customer satisfaction surveys; developing appropriate reports,
brochures and other informational materials; participating in
and staffing various local and statewide committees;
supervising, mentoring and coaching staff, and other duties as
assigned. Qualifications: Graduation from an accredited college or university with a Bachelor’s
degree. Three years of increasingly responsible administrative
experience, one of which shall have included experience in
planning, organizing and coordinating program or case related
activities. Applicants who do not possess the required education
may substitute paraprofessional and professional experience on a
year-for-year basis. A Master’s degree may be substituted for
one year of experience as indicated above. A law degree may be
substituted for two years of experience as indicated above. Salary:
$64,245.54 - $95,832.92 (2007)
COURT
EXECUTIVE 2A: Office
of Trial Court Services, Programs and Procedures Division, AOC, Trenton, NJ. Summary: The New Jersey Judiciary is seeking a strong manager with
exceptional project management and writing skills to lead a
statewide effort to coordinate and improve the delivery of
services to all litigants, with an emphasis on the
self-represented litigant. Duties:
Working with division managers, ombudsmen, and others within
the Judiciary, the selected individual will be responsible for
spearheading the creation, production, and distribution of
materials for use by self-represented individuals; developing an
integrated organization-wide approach to increasing access to
the courts by self-represented litigants; and working to improve
the court experience for all court users. The selected
individual should have an understanding of court rules;
excellent communications skills; and the ability to produce
legally sufficient documents written to the average lay
person’s comprehension level. A law degree is helpful. Qualifications:
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a
bachelor’s degree. Five years of professional administrative
and/or program management experience, three of which shall have
included responsibility for program development and/or
implementation and for supervision of staff. Applicants who do
not possess the required education may substitute
paraprofessional and professional experience on a year-for-year
basis. A master’s degree may be substituted for one year of
experience. A law degree may be substituted for two years of
experience. A detailed writing sample may be required at the
time of interview. Salary: $69,599 - $101,186. (2007)
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COURT
EXECUTIVE 1B (OMBUDSMAN): Superior
Court of New Jersey, Passaic
Vicinage. Summary: The
Passaic Vicinage is seeking a proactive manager with exceptional
customer service, interpersonal and organizational skills to
function as an ombudsman for court users. The selected
individual will be responsible for the development and
management of programs designed to promote public trust in the
courts and enhance customer service, provide procedural
assistance to self-representing litigants (pro se litigants),
educate the public regarding programs and services and
facilitate the resolution of complaints. Duties:
Specific duties will include: assisting court users,
including pro se litigants, by explaining court operations,
processes and procedures and providing resource materials;
responding to complaints by providing information, assistance or
guidance and, as appropriate, referring the court user to an
appropriate court division for resolution; serving as the
vicinage information and customer service liaison with the
public; developing cooperative working relationships with
vicinage management and staff to ensure overall quality customer
service; developing and coordinating public information
initiatives such as court tours, speakers’ bureau, public
reception service areas and information services and materials;
maintaining a resource library including lists of state and
local social service agencies and lawyer referral services for
the use of court customers; documenting complaints and
monitoring resolution; making recommendations to the Assignment
Judge or Trial Court Administrator for improvement in court
services to the public; training vicinage staff on customer
service, sensitivity and to the role of the ombudsman;
recommending improvements in the operations of the ombudsman’s
office and public information activities to the Assignment Judge
or Trial Court Administrator; participating in the development
of brochures and other informational materials; and performing
related duties as required. Qualifications:
Graduation from an accredited college or university with a
bachelor’s degree. Three years of increasingly responsible
administrative experience, one of which shall have included
experience in planning, organizing, and coordinating program or
case related activities. Applicants who do not possess the
required education may substitute paraprofessional or
professional experience for education on a year-for-year basis.
A master’s degree may be substituted for one year of general
experience as indicated above. A law degree may be substituted
for two years of experience as indicated above. Knowledge of
court operations, processes and programs is helpful. Legal
experience or graduation from law school, the ability to
communicate in both Spanish and English and experience working
with diverse populations are helpful as well. Familiarity with
and ability to effectively use Microsoft Office Suite
applications are also helpful. Salary: $64,245.54 - $95,832.92.
(2007)
SELF-HELP
LAW PROJECT INTERNSHIP:
Helena, MT.
Summary:
The Montana Legal Services Association (MLSA) provides free
legal assistance in civil cases to low-income people. It is the
mission of MLSA to protect and enhance the civil legal rights
of, and promote systemic change for, Montanans living in
poverty. MLSA summer interns will work side by side with MLSA
staff in an effort to provide, protect and enhance access to
justice. MLSA law student interns will be exposed to various
areas of poverty law and gain experience through: Duties:
MLSA summer interns will work side by side with MLSA staff in an
effort to provide, protect and enhance access to justice. MLSA
law student interns will be exposed to various areas of poverty
law and gain experience through: Interviewing clients seeking
advice or assistance; Undertaking
direct assistance and responsibilities to clients; Drafting
petitions, motions and other court documents; Engaging in
investigation and formal discovery; Counseling and advising
clients; Researching case specific legal issues; Court
appearances. Self-Help Law Project internship:
The intern’s role will be as a legal assistant, working
primarily on the self-help law project. Duties will include
working directly with pro se clients, reviewing and editing
legal documents and organizing the monthly self-help law
clinics. Qualifications:
1st or 2nd year law students. Unpaid. (2007)
D.C.
LAW STUDENTS IN COURT PROGRAM INTERNS: Washington,
DC. Summary: The D.C. Law Students in Court Program (“LSIC”) is a
client-centered litigation clinic in the District of Columbia
with students from five D.C. law schools participating. In
addition to being one of the city’s oldest law school clinics,
LSIC is also one of its largest and most successful legal
service providers. Each year, representatives from LSIC provide
free legal assistance to nearly seven thousand individuals and
make thousands of appearances in court. Summer internships are
with the Civil Division, which primarily represents low-income
tenants facing eviction and/or uninhabitable living conditions.
We also provide advice and pro se assistance to persons with
matters concerning contract and property disputes, disabilities,
receiverships, torts, and bankruptcy. Duties:
The primary responsibility of LSIC summer interns is
staffing the Program’s walk-in clinic. Our clinic is open
daily to anyone with legal questions or who seeks legal advice.
Students interview individuals who call or come into our office,
and advise them of their rights and responsibilities in a
variety of legal situations. Interns work one-on-one with
experienced supervising attorneys. Types of assistance include
drafting pleadings for pro se litigants, writing
persuasive letters, negotiating with other attorneys, and
educating litigants on their legal rights and options. In
addition to staffing our clinic intake, interns perform
investigations for on-going LSIC cases at clients’ homes,
administrative offices, and the D.C. courts. When feasible,
interns may represent clients in administrative hearings before
the D.C. Office of Adjudication. When time and workloads permit,
interns undertake research and writing projects related to
current legal issues. Qualifications: The clinic is normally restricted to participation
by court-certified third year law students, but the summer
internships offer students an earlier opportunity to provide
direct-client services and to gain valuable hands-on experience.
Unpaid. (2007)
PRO SE
LAW CLERK: The
United States
District Court, Western District of Arkansas
. Summary: The United
States District Court, Western District of Arkansas, has a
position vacancy for pro se law clerk. The position is half-time
or 20 hours per week. The position will be located in
Fort Smith
,
Arkansas
, and will provide legal support to two U.S. Magistrate Judges. Duties:
The Pro Se Law Clerk provides legal advice and assistance in
connection with prisoner petitions and complaints and will be
required to perform duties including, but not limited to, the
following: (1) Perform substantive screening and make
recommendations with respect to all in forma pauperis pro se
filings. Provide substantive legal review of pro se petitions
referred by the Court, this review to include research of issues
raised by pleadings. (2) Research case law, recommend
disposition of motions, draft orders and opinions for the
Court's signature. (3) Communicate with counsel and pro se
litigants regarding handling and progress of cases. Qualifications:
To qualify, a candidate must be a law school graduate and
have passed the bar examination. Salary range is $26,456 to $31,
708. (2007)
LEGAL ASSISTANCE FOR WOMEN VOLUNTEER: Chrysalis
(Center for Women and Girls), Limited Legal Services Clinic
& Representation. Summary:
The
Legal Assistance for Women (LAW) Program volunteer assists
volunteer attorneys in: Providing pro se assistance and other
limited legal services to low-income women in family law matters
at Limited Legal Services Clinics and follow-up services
off-site; and Providing pro bono legal representation in family
law cases to low-income women screened by Chrysalis.
LAW Program Volunteer
Attorneys are supervised by the Chrysalis Family Law Attorney
and the volunteer attorney whom they are assisting. Duties:
Attend 12-hour training program provided by
Chrysalis. Attend volunteer
orientation and observe trained volunteers at a “buddy
shift” for the Limited Legal Services Clinic. Assist at Limited Legal
Services Clinic by interviewing clients, helping clients
organize documents and gather information, drafting documents
for review by attorney, and providing referrals. Assist volunteer attorneys with Pro Bono Family
Law Representation by helping clients organize documents and
gather information, drafting documents for review by attorney,
and researching legal issues. Complete paperwork related to Limited Legal
Services Clinic and report the number of hours volunteered
off-site. Honor volunteer commitments. Notify LAW Program
staff in advance of any schedule conflict, absence, and change
in contact information. Qualifications:
Interest
in family law issues. Law student or
paralegal (preference given to 2nd or 3rd year law students and
experienced paralegals). Awareness of and respect for diversity. Good communication, organization, and time
management skills. Ability to maintain client confidentiality. (2007)
LIBRARIAN 1: Superior
Court of New Jersey, Somerset, Hunterdon and Warren
Counties. Summary: Under the
direction of the Operations Division Manager and other
supervisory personnel, is responsible for determining and
coordinating the requirements and acquiring books, periodicals
and other materials for the law library and judges’ chambers
libraries within budget constraints and based on established
policy. Duties: Specific duties will include coordinating
purchasing requirements including submission of bills for
processing; updating the library collection; coordinating the
content of law library collections and library policies and
procedures vicinage-wide; maintaining an up-to-date inventory of
current library holdings; researching and implementing
improvements to the library; keeping detailed records of library
expenditures; assisting library customers, including pro se
litigants in accessing legal materials; making projections of
library spending for the preparation of budgets and spending
plans; preparing technical and financial review and evaluation
reports as required; maintaining and re-shelving books and
publications in the law library and performing other related
duties as assigned. Although this position will be based in the
Somerset County Courthouse (
Somerville
,
NJ), it will require travel to the Hunterdon County Courthouse (
Flemington,
NJ) and the Warren County Courthouse (Belvidere,
NJ). Qualifications: Graduation from an accredited college or university
with a bachelor’s degree. Three years of professional
experience in the area of Administrative Operations: purchasing,
finance, facilities management, investigation or library
administration. Applicants who do not possess the required
education may substitute paraprofessional and professional
experience for education on a year-for-year basis. A master’s
degree may be substituted for one year of experience. A law
degree may be substituted for two years of experience. Extensive
knowledge in library administration, legal research and/or a
degree in Library Science would be helpful. Knowledge of
automated systems such as Word, PowerPoint, Access and Excel is
also helpful. Salary: $41,684.28 - $67,609.64. (2007)
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Last
Modified: November 15, 2011
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