A hands-on learning experience and invaluable opportunity to current law students to prepare them for a professional career in the legal field.
In 2004, the Clackamas County District Attorney’s office started hiring law clerks to work on misdemeanor prosecutions. Over the years, it has evolved into an annual program that begins in February with the hiring of 6 law students right after the NW Public Service Career Fair. We also present our program to the University of Oregon and Willamette University law schools, and have hired from as far away as Wake Forest University, North Carolina.
Of the 6 law students, 2 will be rising second-year law students (i.e., those who are currently in their first year of law school) who have demonstrated a strong interest in criminal prosecution. These individuals are committing to a two-year assignment. Students hired will begin working full-time beginning the summer following their first year of law school, starting with two weeks of prosecution “boot camp.” Trainings are provided by experienced prosecutors within the office who teach the clerks how to conduct court appearances, including trials, civil commitment hearings, motions, and arraignments.
After boot camp, these law clerks will be assigned to a variety of tasks including assisting senior prosecutors on major crimes, conducting a significant amount of legal research and writing on complex motions, and working a on a variety of projects under the supervision and mentorship of the Misdemeanor team leader. After their second year of law school, they will transition to the Certified Law Clerk position, where they will be able to make court appearances.
Law clerks in our office are exposed to many unique experiences, including going on jail and prison tours, and participating in a wet lab scenario.
This position can be an externship for school credit or qualify for work study. Students will begin working full-time over the summer and will transition to a part-time schedule during the school year.
In addition to on campus interviews, we are recruiting and interviewing at our office in Oregon City. If you are interested in “job shadowing” one of our prosecutors and checking out our office, please email Bill Golden at bgolden@clackamas.us to set up a tour.