Judicial Law Clerk I for the Honorable Sheila Woods-Skipper - Orphan's Court Division

Position Summary

This is a full time professional legal position  as a research assistant supporting the Administrative Judge of the Orphans Court Division of the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania. Work involves providing members of the judiciary with assistance in preparation of briefs opinions and similar material. The work involves not only duties typically performed by a law clerk but also sensitive and confidential support to the Administrative Judge.

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.

In order to apply and be considered for this position please visit 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.

• Research 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.
• Review complex and voluminous motions briefs and memoranda providing analysis of legal and procedural issues for judge
• Prepares rough drafts of opinions.
• Prepares and Maintains legal file on case documents and all related correspondence.
• Prepares presentations and power points
• Produce and update procedural manuals and check list
• Drafts briefs or arguments

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS

Provides general information pertaining to 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 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.
• Superior writing and analytical skills
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with members of the judiciary court personnel departmental administrators attorneys and associates.
• Ability to use Lexis/Nexis and other research tools
• Practice Experience and/or interest in Orphans Court (Guardianships Wills Trusts Decedent Estates etc.) and familiarity with the Orphans Court Rules
• Some knowledge of Civil Rules and Procedures
• Proficiency in computer applications including Microsoft Office Outlook Word and Excel
• Selfmotivated selfstarter and able to work independently and comply with and meet deadlines
• Excellent organizational and communication skills
• Superb time management skills and ability to multitask and prioritize assignments

The First Judicial District is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act the First Judicial District will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective employees and incumbents to discuss potential accommodations with the employer.

In order to apply and be considered for this position please visit to complete an application and upload a resume

Qualifications :

* This is a continuous posting. The purpose of this posting is for future vacancies within the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania. *

1. Graduate of an accredited law school.
2. Member in Good Standing of the Bar of the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania preferred
3. Strong academic credentials.
4. Law review or moot court experience preferred. 
5. Prior internship or clerkship experience in a legal or judicial setting preferred. 
6. Familiarity with court procedures and local rules preferred. 
7. Successful completion of a criminal background investigation.
8. Ability to perform the essential functions of the position.
9. Covid19 vaccination recommended.
10. Ability to perform the essential functions of a position in this class.
11. Covid19 vaccination recommended.
12. Must work on site (not remote).

Additional Information :

In order to apply and be considered for this position please visit to complete an application and upload a resume.

Salary Range: $59177 $65104

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Effective May 22 2023 vaccinations are no longer required for new employees that work in nonmedical nonemergency or patient facing positions with the City of Philadelphia. As a result only employees in positions providing services that  are patientfacing medical care (ex: Nurses doctors emergency medical personnel) must be fully vaccinated.

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