Position Title:
The first review of applications will be May 19, 2025. Please submit the following required documents on the State of Montana Careers website:
- Resume - Please include dates of employment and your supervisor's name/phone number for each position .
- Three Professional References
- Writing Sample
Applications with missing required documents will not be reviewed in the recruitment process.
When submitting the required documents, you must check the "relevant document" box to ensure your attachments are uploading correctly to the specific application for this position. The Judicial Branch is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
An employee new to the Judicial Branch will serve a one-year probationary period. The successful applicant will be subject to a criminal background check. Travel may be required and working hours may include evenings & weekends.
The Montana Judicial Branch offers a variety of opportunities to help you make a difference in your community, and further your career. As a service-oriented employer, we seek employees with a passion for customer service to help us fulfill our mission t o provide an independent, accessible, responsive, impartial, and timely forum to resolve disputes; to preserve the rule of law; and to protect the rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitutions of the United States and Montana.
Benefits of working for the Judicial Branch:
- Work/life balance
- Family friendly policies
- Dedicated and caring colleagues
- Health coverage
- Paid vacation, sick leave, and Holidays (combination of up to 38 per year)
- Opportunities and room for professional growth
- Public Service Loan Forgiveness - Employment with the State of Montana may qualify you to receive student loan forgiveness under the PSLF
One and a half centuries ago, Helena became the "Queen City of the Rockies" with the boom brought on by the 1864 gold strike. Helena grew along Last Chance Gulch and in 1875 became the Montana territorial capital. Today the state capital's grand architecture, numerous museums and historic sites offer a real glimpse into the rich and deep history of the city. Helena also boasts a vibrant cultural center with a busy event calendar, eclectic shopping, art galleries, terrific local bands, great restaurants, local microbreweries, and an epic trail system. For more information, visit our Helena website at www.helenamt.com .
Job Overview:
This is professional legal work performed for the Montana Supreme Court located in Helena, Montana.
The Law Clerk II position involves the performance of professional legal research and other related clerical/administrative work in the preparation of memoranda, opinions, or orders for a Justice concerning the cases before him/her. Work is performed under general supervision of the Honorable Justice Katherine Bidegaray and is reviewed through conferences and written reports.Hire date will be the end of August 2025 or early September 2025.
Job Duties: : (Any one position may not include all the duties listed, nor do the examples cover all the duties which may be performe d.)
- Review classification memoranda developed by a Judge for an assigned opinion.
- Review appellant and respondent briefs, trial court casefiles, and transcripts.
- Research appropriate and relevant case law, state and federal codes or constitutions, regulations, or other authoritative resources as to the assigned opinion.
- Discuss relevant issues and legal theories with justice when necessary and appropriate.
- Draft proposed opinion and/or appropriate memoranda.
- Revise proposed opinion based upon justice(s) comments/instructions.
- Finalize opinions; verify all legal citations as still authoritative and current; edit for grammar, punctuation, spelling; and read opinions out loud with judicial administrative assistant.
- Review and check briefs filed with the Clerk of the Supreme Court for compliance with the Rules of Appellate Procedure, draft orders regarding non-compliance when necessary
- Perform marshal duties during oral arguments before the Supreme Court. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (Behaviors):
- Knowledge of general law, state law, established precedent, and sources of legal reference.
- Knowledge of Supreme Court practices, rules, and procedures.
- Knowledge of legal terminology and concepts.
- Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, with a diverse group of people.
- Ability to research complex legal problems or questions and apply legal principles.
- Ability to represent the court in a respectful manner.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationship with others.
- Ability to transcribe audio tapes, if required by the position.
- Skill in the operation of a computer with word processing and legal research software.
- Skill in the operation of electronic recording equipment to record oral arguments before the Supreme Court.
Working Conditions :
Work is performed primarily in an office setting or a courtroom.
Physical Demands:
Work is essentially sedentary with occasional walking, standing, bending, and carrying items up to 25pounds such as papers and files. Some positions may require periods of extended sitting, standing or computer use. Some positions may require standing on a ladder to retrieve files from high shelves.
Minimum Qualifications (Education and Experience):
- A Juris Doctorate is required.
- Legal research experience.
- Excellent writing skills.
New graduates as well as experienced attorneys will be considered. Admission to the State Bar of Montana is not required.
Applicant Pool Statement : If another department vacancy occurs in this job title within six months, the same applicant pool may be used for the selection. Training Assignment : Not Applicable
Salary: $
30.84 - 30.84 Hourly Telework Eligibility : Not Telework Eligible Benefits Package Eligibility : Health Insurance, Paid Leave & Holidays, Retirement Plan
Number of Openings
Number of Openings
: 1 Employee Status : Regular Schedule : Full-Time
Job Type
: Standard
Shift
Shift
: Day Job
Travel
: Yes, 5 % of the Time
Primary Location
Posting Date
Posting Date
: May 2, 2025, 11:08:22 PM Closing Date (based on your computer's timezone) : Ongoing
Required Application Materials : Cover Letter, Resume, References
Contact Name : Katie Erickson | Contact Email : Katie.Erickson@mt.gov | Contact Phone : 406-841-2965 The State of Montana has a decentralized human resources (HR) system. Each agency is responsible for its own recruitment and selection. Anyone who needs a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process should contact the agency's HR staff identified on the job listing or by dialing the Montana Relay at 711. Montana Job Service Offices also offer services including assistance with submitting an online application.
State government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, childbirth or medical conditions related to pregnancy or childbirth, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political beliefs or affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.
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