Job Description

The Second Judicial District is accepting applications for a Judicial Law Clerk for Judge Sophia Vuelo . In this position you will work directly with Judge Sophia Vuelo who will be assigned to an adult felony criminal rotation and chambered at the Ramsey County Courthouse, 15 Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, MN . This position supports Judge Sophia Vuelo and promotes the court's mission of providing justice through a system that assures equal access for the fair and timely resolution of cases and controversies.

A Judicial Law Clerk will gain invaluable insight into legal and court processes within the Minnesota Judicial Branch in the Second Judicial District with a focus on the administration of justice.

Regular hours are Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. This position will require the ability to work full-time during these hours and dedication to occasional working outside normal business hours to complete the work and meet deadlines.

This is primarily an in person/on-site role with some remote opportunities, depending on business needs and a reliable internet connection will be required when working remotely, at the discretion of your supervisor.

Responsibilities
The following are examples of major job duties expected of this position.

• Review, study, and research laws, court decisions, documents, opinions, briefs, and related legal authorities
• Prepare / draft proposed orders and legal memoranda including appropriate suggestions or recommendations to the judge.
• Compile and legal research information necessary for legal determinations.
• Confer with judge concerning legal questions, construction of documents, and granting of orders.
• Attend court sessions to assist with oral arguments and record necessary case information; maintain records attendant to court proceedings.
• Courtroom duties including taking court minutes, managing the calendar, swearing in jury panels and witness, and assisting in various court proceedings such as arraignments, motions, hearings, pre-trial conferences, and trials.
• Administrative duties as assigned, including maintaining chambers operations, corresponding with attorneys, and filing on behalf of the court in a timely and professional manner.

Minimum Qualifications
The Minnesota Judicial Branch recognizes the diverse set of skills, strengths, and attributes that an individual may bring into a role. If you have any combination of the experience, training, and education required for this position, please consider applying.

• Law Clerk – Graduation from an accredited law school at time of employment.
• Law Clerk I - Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and current enrollment in third year of law school with an expected graduation date of May 2025.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Courteous and professional, good people skills, ability to communicate clearly and concisely, ability to work independently;
• Desire to work with the general public and promote justice;
• Ability to work a full-time schedule during regular business hours and dedicated to meeting deadlines as necessary;
• Knowledge or strong desire to learn laws, court rules, and sources of legal reference;
• Knowledge or strong desire to learn of court practices and procedures;
• Some knowledge of criminal legal terminology and concepts;
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, with a diverse group of people
  including attorneys, other judges/court staff, and pro se parties;
• Ability to research complex legal problems or questions and apply legal principles;
• Ability to represent the court in a respectful and professional manner;
• Ability to manage the Judge’s chambers emails, communicate timely with attorneys, and meet other chambers needs;
• Proficient computer skills, including experience using Westlaw, Zoom, and Microsoft Word;
• Ability to exhibit sensitivity, patience, professionalism, and empathy in the course of work duties towards all individuals regardless of sexual orientation, cultural/racial background, religion, socioeconomic/educational background, abilities/disabilities, and gender or gender identity.

Working Conditions
Work is performed primarily in an office setting, courtroom or at a public counter. Work may involve contact with persons from the general public who may be agitated, thus requiring the judicial law clerk to have the strong ability to manage one’s own responses/emotions and work well with others in such situations.

Physical Demands
Work is essentially sedentary with occasional walking, standing, bending and carrying items up to 25 pounds. Some assignments may require periods of extended sitting, standing or computer use, or moving tables/chairs to set up jury room.

To Apply

External Candidates : Please apply for this position online by clicking the Apply Now button on this page. In addition to completing the online application, please upload and attach a one-page cover letter, resume, law school transcript, and writing sample ( no more than ten pages font size 12).

Internal Candidates : Please apply through your Oracle account clicking on your desktop icon, then “Me” and “Current Jobs”. In addition to completing the online application, please upload and attach a one-page cover letter, resume, law school transcript, and writing sample (no more than ten pages).

Successful candidate will be required to pass a criminal background check.

Interviews
Interviews will be held in person at the main courthouse (15 W. Kellogg Blvd., St. Paul, MN - date to be determined) .

Salary
The anticipated starting salary for a law school student (Law Clerk I) is $25.02-$26.33/hour based on qualifications and experience with opportunity for pay increase.

The anticipated starting salary for a law school graduate (Judicial Law Clerk) is $31.24-$34.93/hour based on qualifications and experience with opportunity for pay increase.

This position is not eligible for overtime compensation and is eligible for State of Minnesota employee benefits.

Questions
Please contact Human Resources at 2nddistrictHR@courts.state.mn.us with questions regarding this position.

Why Work for Us?

Minnesota Judicial Branch employees consistently express pride in their public service and in the quality of programs and services provided to customers, as well as appreciation for the teamwork and collaboration that is promoted within the MJB. We celebrate and are committed to the principles of diversity and inclusion, and actively seek and value diversity in professional background and cultural characteristics. We are intentional and mindful about the organizational culture we are building, seeking broad-minded individuals with robust capabilities who value supporting one another’s growth.

Employee Benefits

The Minnesota Judicial Branch cares about and invests in you as an employee. Because of that, we offer affordable yet competitive benefits to support you and your family’s wellbeing. Our comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees includes health and wellness benefits, enhanced fertility benefits, short- and long-term disability, pension, paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement, and more. Learn more at Employee Benefits - Careers at the Minnesota Judicial Branch Careers . Minnesota Judicial Branch employees may also be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. This federal program allows qualified individuals to have their loans forgiven after meeting certain requirements working in public service. You can learn more about this program from the Minnesota Office of Higher Education and the office of Federal Student Aid.

Equal Employment Opportunity

It is the policy of the Minnesota Judicial Branch that all decisions regarding employment are made without discrimination on the basis of disability. Please let us know if you need a reasonable accommodation for a disability to participate in the employee selection process by contacting Human Resources at 2ndDistrictHR@courts.state.mn.us . The Minnesota Judicial Branch is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the Minnesota Judicial Branch that all decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, promotions, and other terms and conditions of employment be made without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, disability, sexual orientation, or age. We value and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds.

Internal Applicants

If you are a current employee of the Minnesota Judicial Branch, please apply to open positions conveniently through your Oracle account by visiting Opportunity Marketplace - Browse Opportunities .

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