Judicial law Clerk I for the Honorable Samantha J. Williams

Position Summary

​​The FJD is hiring a Judicial Law Clerk I to The Honorable Samantha J. Williams. The Clerk provides professional level legal work as a research assistant supporting judges of the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania. The Judicial Law Clerk work involves providing members of the judiciary with assistance in preparation of writing briefs, opinions and similar material. 

​The ideal candidate for this role is a graduate of an accredited law and is strongly interested in criminal law, especially major felony cases including but not limited to drug possessions, weapons possession, violent crimes, and sexual assault. 

​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. 

​The Judicial Law Clerk is a confidential employee and serves at the discretion and pleasure of the judge. ​ 

In order to apply and be considered for this position, please visit https://fjdcareers.phila.gov/Cyberweb/ to complete an application and upload a resume.

Essential Functions

The following duties are normal for this position. These are not to be construed as exclusive or all- inclusive. Other duties may be required and assigned. 

• Researches legal sources for briefs or opinions based on statutory law, decisions and precedents of higher courts. 
• Searches for and studies legal records and documents to obtain data applicable to cases under consideration. 
• Prepares rough drafts of opinions. 
• Maintains file on case documents and all related correspondence. 
• Manages law school and undergraduate interns. 
• Manages appeals tracking database. 
• Manages sentencing tracking database.  
• Conducts document and search warrant reviews.  

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS 

• Provide general information about the assigned functions. 
• Performs related work as required. 

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS 

• Standard courtroom and clerical office conditions. 
• Direct contact with diverse court clientele. 

In order to apply and be considered for this position, please visit https://fjdcareers.phila.gov/Cyberweb/ to complete an application and upload a resume.

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. 

In order to apply and be considered for this position, please visit https://fjdcareers.phila.gov/Cyberweb/ to complete an application and upload a resume.