Law Clerk I Post-Conviction Relief Act (PCRA) Unit

Position Summary

This is a full-time in-person position requiring work directly with court personnel and judges in the Philadelphia Courts.

The PCRA Law Clerk I is a full-time in person position for the Court of Common Pleas Criminal Trial Division. An employee in this class is responsible for professional legal work as a law clerk reviewing and drafting dispositions on petitions for relief under the Post-Conviction Relief Act (PCRA). The primary task of a law clerk in the PCRA Unit is to review motions and case history to draft 907 notices orders and opinions for review by the designated PCRA Judge. Work performed involves a greater degree of expertise due to the greater volume of cases for review and the need to function in a specialized area of law.  

By Order of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania effective September 1 2005 all law clerks employed by the First Judicial District of Pennsylvania Courts are prohibited from appearing as counsel in the division/section of the court in which they work and are employed. Further in courts with no formally established divisions or sections the law clerks are prohibited from appearing as counsel in the court itself.

Essential Functions

The following duties are normal for this position. They are not to be construed as exclusive or all-inclusive. Other duties may be assigned and required.

• Review petitions and procedural history
• 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.
• Prepares rough drafts of opinions.
• Prepares high-quality briefs orders and opinions by reviewing documents files and case correspondence and submit to assigned judicial authority for review and signature in a timely manner.
• Completes docketing and service of notices orders and opinions.
• Maintains files on case documents and all related correspondence.
• Completes administrative tasks associated with assigned caseload.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees members of the judiciary court and departmental administrators and diverse court clientele and members of the public.
• Performs related work as required.

MARGINAL FUNCTIONS

• Provide general information about the assigned functions.
• Performs related work as required.

ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS

• Standard clerical office conditions.
• Direct contact with diverse clientele.

Knowledge Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of the components and functions of the justice system.
• Knowledge of legal research techniques and preparation of memoranda petitions and similar instruments.
• Ability to prepare for judicial approval 907 notices orders and opinions.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with members of the judiciary court personnel departmental administrators attorneys and associates.
• Ability to perform administrative tasks in an effective and organized fashion.
• Ability to use Westlaw and criminal court databases.
• Ability to use Microsoft Word and Excel.

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

Qualifications :

1. Juris Doctorate degree from an accredited law school. 

AND

1. Three years of experience as a law clerk or practicing attorney preferred.
2. Knowledge of the techniques and processes of legal research and preparation of memoranda petitions and similar instruments.
3. Ability to prepare for judicial approval 907 notices orders and opinions.
4. Strong organizational communication and writing skills.
5. Superior writing and analytical skills.
6. Ability to perform the essential functions of the position.
7. Satisfactory clearance of a criminal background investigation.
8. Must work in person (not remote).

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

Additional Information :

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

Salary: $60656   Annually

Discover the Perks of Being a City of Philadelphia Employee:

• Transportation: City employees get unlimited FREE public transportation all year long through SEPTAs Key Advantage program. Employees can ride on SEPTA buses subways trolleys and regional rail for their daily commute and more.
• Parental Benefits: The City offers its employees 8 weeks of paid parental leave.
• We offer Comprehensive health coverage for employees and their eligible dependents.
• Our wellness program offers eligibility into the discounted medical plan
• Employees receive paid vacation sick leave and holidays
• Generous retirement savings options are available
• Pay off your student loans faster - As a qualifying employer City of Philadelphia employees are eligible to participate in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Join the ranks of hundreds of employees who have already benefited from this program and achieved student loan forgiveness.
• Unlock Tuition Discounts and Scholarships - The City of Philadelphia has forged partnerships with over a dozen esteemed colleges and universities in the area ensuring that our employees have access to a wide range of tuition discounts and scholarships. Experience savings of 10% to 40% on your educational expenses extending not only to City employees but in some cases spouse and dependents too!

Join the City of Philadelphia team today and seize these incredible benefits designed to enhance your financial well-being and personal growth!

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

The City of Philadelphia is an Equal Opportunity employer and does not permit discrimination based on race ethnicity color sex sexual orientation gender identity religion national origin ancestry age disability marital status source of income familial status genetic information or domestic or sexual violence victim status. If you believe you were discriminated against call the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations at or send an email to

For more information go to: Human Relations Website: Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time