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Employment Opportunities | State of Illinois Office of the Illinois Courts

Appellate Court Law Clerk/Judicial Secretary

Vacancy Announcement

  • Location
    Springfield, IL
  • Office
    Fourth District Appellate Court
  • Posted Date
    06/14/24
  • Closing Date
    This position will remain open until filled. However, applications submitted by July 19, 2024 will be given first consideration.
  • Benefits
    An attractive judicial branch benefits package is offered, including pension, medical, dental, vision and life insurance, as well as deferred compensation and generous leave time.
  • Salary
    $96,349

APPLICANTS MUST BE A LICENSED ILLINOIS ATTORNEY

Justice Raylene DeWitte Grischow is assigned to the Fourth District Illinois Appellate Court effective July 8, 2024. Justice Grischow is seeking a judicial law clerk/secretary for chambers. The judicial law clerk/secretary conducts legal research and assists in drafting memoranda, opinions, and orders. This position also requires performing various administrative duties. The position will permit some degree of remote work; however, working completely on a remote basis is not preferred.

DUTIES:

  • Conduct legal research and prepare memoranda providing legal and procedural advice.
  • Assist in drafting opinions, orders, and memoranda.
  • Edit and cite check final draft orders, opinions, dissents and/or special concurrences.
  • Advise the Justice on research of court rules and points of law on pending appeals.
  • Research the law regarding issues identified by the parties or the court.
  • Study current legal publications, recent opinions of the Illinois Supreme and Appellate Courts, and other relevant state and federal cases; interpret new statutes according to legislative intent and review recent legislation.
  • Assist the Justice in judicial committee work.
  • Assist the Justice in preparation for an educational conference or speaking engagement.
  • The position also requires sharing administrative duties with the other law clerks, including but not limited to, corresponding with the Springfield courthouse and other chambers, tracking the status of motions and cases, paying bills, maintaining case files, and keeping the library up to date. The successful applicant must have the ability to comport oneself in a manner which is cognizant of the Court’s ethical responsibilities.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS:

  1. Working knowledge of, and ability to apply, federal and state laws and court decisions to pending legal cases.
  2. Working knowledge of, and ability to apply, court procedures and rules of evidence.
  3. Legal research skills, preparing memorandums of law, and providing legal and procedural advice.
  4. Skill in analyzing legal issues and writing persuasively.
  5. Skill in applying legal principles and specialized knowledge to individual cases and issues.
  6. Ability to communicate effectively.
  7. Ability to apprise the Justice of new statutes and recent legislation changes.
  8. Associating with employees and the public in a pleasant, courteous, and helpful manner.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Applicants must be a licensed attorney and admitted to the Illinois bar. Preference will be given to those with prior experience as a judicial law clerk and/or appellate lawyer, or as a legal practitioner, but all applicants with an outstanding academic record and superior research and writing skills will be considered. Law Journal experience is beneficial but not required. Excellent computer and technology skills are required.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

This position requires the ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time. This is a professional office working environment requiring telephone usage and the ability to process and read large volumes of written documents in electronic format.

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

This position requires a valid driver’s license, proof of automobile insurance to operate a personal vehicle on state business, and a safe driving record. Applicants may be required to submit additional materials and/or complete job specific tests for the position.

Interested individuals should submit a letter of interest, resume, professional writing sample, a transcript of law school grades, and 3 references to:

    Honorable Raylene DeWitte Grischow at:

AC_District4_Clerk@illinoiscourts.gov

This position will remain open until filled. However, applications submitted by July 19, 2024 will be given first consideration.

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