Law Clerk

at  Catholic Charities of LA

Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project, a program of Catholic Charities of Los Angeles, Inc., is a non-profit law firm which provides community education and legal representation to immigrant adults, families, unaccompanied minors, individuals with mental health issues, and in cases involving crimmigration. Esperanza has proudly provided legal services to immigrants and their families in Southern California for over 15 years. More information is available at www.esperanza-la.org.
Please note that applicants to this posting are limited to Immigrant Justice Corps Justice Fellows that have been matched with Esperanza Immigrant Rights Project. The person in this position supports attorneys by assembling and organizing information for legal documents; researching law in preparation for helping attorneys to develop solid arguments; reviewing and interpreting legal documents; assembling case materials; writing briefs, reports and memoranda; communicating with client and their families when necessary to facilitate a positive working relationship with their attorneys. A law clerk will work under the supervision of an attorney or an accredited representative.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Prepares legal drafts by assembling and organizing information for legal forms and documents, including complaints, declarations, discovery requests, responses, and other pleadings.
• Researches law by studying laws, statutes, regulations, court opinions, including precedents and reasoning, and trends using standard print texts and computers; preparing legal memoranda.
• Assembles case materials by collecting, organizing, and summarizing information, documents, reports, and evidence.
• Prepares for trial by preparing trial briefs, exhibits, evidence, and motions.
• Maintains calendar by entering and updating requirements, court dates, and meetings.
• Keeps client information confidential.
• Updates job knowledge by participating in continuing educational opportunities; reading legal publications; maintaining personal networks.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Juris Doctor (JD), Master in Laws (LLM), required,
• Awaiting bar results or planning on sitting for the next examination.
• At least 2 relevant experience strongly preferred,
• Prior experience in immigration and/or public interest law strongly preferred,
• Experience in a non-profit organization a plus.
• Spanish fluency highly preferred.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Experience with affirmative immigration applications, deportation defense a plus.
• Experience working with vulnerable populations, particularly with children, detained individuals, mentally ill individuals, or immigrant communities preferred.
• Exceptional organizational, case management, legal research, legal writing skills are requires and attention to detail a must;
• A willingness to take initiative;
• Ability to think creatively, help implement structures and programs, and take initiate;
• Interest in contributing to Esperanza’s overall mission of inspiring hope and advancing social justice for immigrants is required;
• Knowledge of Database software; Internet software; Project Management software; Spreadsheet software and Word Processing software.

• Prepares legal drafts by assembling and organizing information for legal forms and documents, including complaints, declarations, discovery requests, responses, and other pleadings.
• Researches law by studying laws, statutes, regulations, court opinions, including precedents and reasoning, and trends using standard print texts and computers; preparing legal memoranda.
• Assembles case materials by collecting, organizing, and summarizing information, documents, reports, and evidence.
• Prepares for trial by preparing trial briefs, exhibits, evidence, and motions.
• Maintains calendar by entering and updating requirements, court dates, and meetings.
• Keeps client information confidential.
• Updates job knowledge by participating in continuing educational opportunities; reading legal publications; maintaining personal networks