What are the responsibilities and job description for the Law Clerk - Temporary Contract - 1.0 FTE position at Colorado Judicial Branch?
POSITION INFORMATION
Job Code: R45010
Full Time Salary Range: $61,540.00 - $89,234.00
FLSA Status: Excluded
This posting may be used to create a Talent Pool. Talent Pools may be used for a period of 10 months after the closing date on a job posting.
Notice To Colorado Applicants
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
MISSION STATEMENT
The Judicial Department works to provide equal access to justice, contribute to public safety, and strengthen the rule of law across Colorado. Together our courts and probation departments are committed to impartial and timely dispute resolution; support for families, litigants, and victims; client rehabilitation; and meaningful community engagement.
STATEMENT OF DUTIES
General Statement Of Duties
Provides assistance and research to a district court judge in the Colorado Judicial Department.
Distinguishing Factors
Positions in this classification are distinguished from legal research attorneys due to the concentration on legal services for a district judge and often includes courtroom and bailiff duties. Supervision is received from a District Court Judge. The Law Clerk is a classified, non-certified position that is considered at-will and may be terminated at any time with or without cause.
Additional Comments
This is a temporary, contract position to be filled on a temporary basis, up to 9 months maximum, budget permitting. This position is not benefit-eligible; the position will receive sick leave at the rate of one hour for every thirty hours the employee works, however the employee shall not receive paid leave of any other kind.
One law clerk position will be hired from this posting. The successful candidate will support the District Court bench, all docket types.
Work involves assisting the judge in court, performing legal researching, writing and other work. Work is supervised by the district court judge and is reviewed through conference and written reports.
This position will begin on March 23, 2026.
Desired Qualifications
Note - Please consolidate these documents into one document.
This position will work in-person, and we encourage you to apply for both the full time and part time positions.
All application material, including letters of recommendation, must be submitted before the posting close date.
If authors of letters of recommendation prefer to submit letters directly to the Court, they may submit letters to 20JDAdmin@judicial.state.co.us.
Essential Functions
Researches, studies, and annotates laws, court decisions, documents, opinions, briefs, and related legal authorities to process suits, trials, hearings, appeals, and other litigated matters.
Reads and digests opinions, briefs, and motions and extracts excerpts pertinent to points of law and fact.
Prepares briefs, legal memoranda, and statement of issues involved in a case, including appropriate suggestions or recommendations to the judge.
Inspects courtroom for cleanliness, orderliness, proper heat, light, and ventilation; opens court by announcing the entrance of the judge.
Maintains the order, decorum, and dignity of the court by seating jurors, witnesses, and spectators in specific areas of the courtroom and by ejecting persons disturbing court proceedings.
Arranges for food and lodging for jurors, and is responsible for the security of the jury so as to preclude mistrials.
Obtains and delivers file jackets, minutes, supplies, forms and related items necessary for use by the judge and the staff.
Attends meetings and training as required.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Essential Functions Cont.
Supervisor Responsibilities:
No formal supervisory responsibility. Responsibility for one's own work product and work within a unit performing similar functions. Rarely provides lead function, advice, or explains work instructions to other employees or volunteers.
Minimum Qualifications
Minimum Education:
A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and successful completion of two years at an accredited law school.
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; use hands and arms to perform repetitive motions; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
Occasionally handles emergency or crisis situations; frequently subject to interruptions, and multiple calls and inquiries. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
Job Code: R45010
Full Time Salary Range: $61,540.00 - $89,234.00
FLSA Status: Excluded
This posting may be used to create a Talent Pool. Talent Pools may be used for a period of 10 months after the closing date on a job posting.
Notice To Colorado Applicants
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
MISSION STATEMENT
The Judicial Department works to provide equal access to justice, contribute to public safety, and strengthen the rule of law across Colorado. Together our courts and probation departments are committed to impartial and timely dispute resolution; support for families, litigants, and victims; client rehabilitation; and meaningful community engagement.
STATEMENT OF DUTIES
General Statement Of Duties
Provides assistance and research to a district court judge in the Colorado Judicial Department.
Distinguishing Factors
Positions in this classification are distinguished from legal research attorneys due to the concentration on legal services for a district judge and often includes courtroom and bailiff duties. Supervision is received from a District Court Judge. The Law Clerk is a classified, non-certified position that is considered at-will and may be terminated at any time with or without cause.
Additional Comments
This is a temporary, contract position to be filled on a temporary basis, up to 9 months maximum, budget permitting. This position is not benefit-eligible; the position will receive sick leave at the rate of one hour for every thirty hours the employee works, however the employee shall not receive paid leave of any other kind.
One law clerk position will be hired from this posting. The successful candidate will support the District Court bench, all docket types.
Work involves assisting the judge in court, performing legal researching, writing and other work. Work is supervised by the district court judge and is reviewed through conference and written reports.
This position will begin on March 23, 2026.
Desired Qualifications
- A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university
- Graduation from an accredited law school as of September 2024. Preference to candidates who have sat for the Colorado Bar Exam.
Note - Please consolidate these documents into one document.
This position will work in-person, and we encourage you to apply for both the full time and part time positions.
All application material, including letters of recommendation, must be submitted before the posting close date.
If authors of letters of recommendation prefer to submit letters directly to the Court, they may submit letters to 20JDAdmin@judicial.state.co.us.
Essential Functions
Researches, studies, and annotates laws, court decisions, documents, opinions, briefs, and related legal authorities to process suits, trials, hearings, appeals, and other litigated matters.
Reads and digests opinions, briefs, and motions and extracts excerpts pertinent to points of law and fact.
Prepares briefs, legal memoranda, and statement of issues involved in a case, including appropriate suggestions or recommendations to the judge.
Inspects courtroom for cleanliness, orderliness, proper heat, light, and ventilation; opens court by announcing the entrance of the judge.
Maintains the order, decorum, and dignity of the court by seating jurors, witnesses, and spectators in specific areas of the courtroom and by ejecting persons disturbing court proceedings.
Arranges for food and lodging for jurors, and is responsible for the security of the jury so as to preclude mistrials.
Obtains and delivers file jackets, minutes, supplies, forms and related items necessary for use by the judge and the staff.
Attends meetings and training as required.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Essential Functions Cont.
Supervisor Responsibilities:
No formal supervisory responsibility. Responsibility for one's own work product and work within a unit performing similar functions. Rarely provides lead function, advice, or explains work instructions to other employees or volunteers.
Minimum Qualifications
Minimum Education:
A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and successful completion of two years at an accredited law school.
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, reach with hands and arms, and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk; use hands and arms to perform repetitive motions; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus.
Work Environment
Occasionally handles emergency or crisis situations; frequently subject to interruptions, and multiple calls and inquiries. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.
Salary : $61,540 - $89,234