Job Description

Judge Designee Laura Welle, newly appointed to the Mille Lacs County District Court and chambered in Milaca, Minnesota, is seeking a motivated, detail-oriented Law Clerk to join her judicial team. This position offers an exceptional opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a wide range of legal matters, work closely with the Judge, and contribute to the fair and efficient administration of justice in Mille Lacs County.

Judge Designee Welle is committed to building a collaborative and professional judicial team in which every member has an active and meaningful role. She values thoughtful legal analysis, clear communication, professionalism, and a strong commitment to public service. The Law Clerk will work closely with Judge Designee Welle on legal research, writing, case preparation, and courtroom matters while developing a strong understanding of judicial decision-making and the Minnesota court system. Judge Designee Welle is also committed to supporting the professional growth and development of her law clerk.

Judge Designee Welle has developed a distinguished legal career in Minnesota county government, with extensive experience in prosecution and child protection matters. Before her current role as an Assistant County Attorney in Morrison County, she served as an Assistant County Attorney in Crow Wing and Becker Counties, where she gained broad experience in criminal and family-related law. Her diverse legal background, commitment to public service, and extensive courtroom experience provide a strong foundation for her role as a judicial officer.

As a Law Clerk, you will conduct legal research, draft memoranda and court orders, assist with case management, and observe and participate in courtroom proceedings. You will have opportunities to collaborate with court staff, other judicial officers and law clerks, attorneys, justice partners, litigants, and other court participants. This position provides valuable insight into Minnesota's judicial process while allowing the successful candidate to strengthen and expand their legal research, writing, analytical, and courtroom skills.

This Position Will:

• Provide an opportunity to work both in person and remotely, with the schedule to be determined by the Judge and Law Clerk.
• Initially involve predominantly in-person work to provide training and facilitate the development of an effective working relationship within chambers.
• Require the Law Clerk to be present in the courtroom with the Judge, court staff, attorneys, litigants, and other members of the judicial team for hearings and trials identified by the Judge.
• Provide an opportunity to develop professional relationships with other law clerks, judges, court staff, litigants, justice partners, and attorneys.
• Provide opportunities to expand and enhance legal research, writing, and analytical skills.
• Promote reasonable work hours and a healthy work-life balance.
• Provide a strong foundation in legal skills and knowledge of the court system, judicial decision-making, and a variety of case types.

What You Will Do

The following are examples of the major job duties expected of this position:

• Review and research statutes, court rules, appellate decisions, briefs, motions, and other legal authorities.
• Confer with the Judge regarding legal issues and prepare legal memoranda and other written materials.
• Assist with drafting court orders, opinions, and other judicial documents.
• Assist the Judge with case management and preparation for hearings and trials.
• Attend court sessions to observe proceedings and record relevant case information.
• Perform courtroom duties as directed by the Judge, which may include assisting with arraignments, motions, hearings, pretrial conferences, and trials.
• Assist with courtroom administration, including calling the calendar, swearing in jury panels and witnesses, and assisting with documenting court proceedings.
• Perform administrative and organizational duties within the Judge's chambers.
• Maintain confidentiality and exercise sound judgment when handling sensitive legal and case-related information.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Judge Designee Laura Welle.

What You Must Have

Law Clerk: Graduation from an accredited law school at the time of employment.

Law Clerk 1 (Student): Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and current enrollment in, and completion of at least one year of law school at, an accredited law school.

What You Will Bring

• Knowledge of laws, court rules, and legal research resources.
• Knowledge of court practices and procedures.
• Knowledge of legal terminology and concepts.
• Strong legal research, writing, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to research complex legal issues and apply legal principles to specific facts and circumstances.
• Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, with a diverse group of people, including attorneys, litigants, and self-represented parties.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, professionalism, and attention to detail.
• Ability to represent the court in a respectful, professional, and impartial manner.
• Proficiency with personal computers, word-processing programs, legal research databases, and other technology used in a professional legal setting.
• Ability to demonstrate cultural sensitivity, patience, professionalism, and understanding in the course of work duties.
• Commitment to public service and the fair and impartial administration of justice.

Law Clerks are at-will employees, and the work is performed under the supervision of a District Court Judge. Work is performed primarily in an office/chambers setting and courtroom.

Supplemental Information

• Judge Designee Laura Welle is seeking a candidate who has both the ability and interest to serve as a successful judicial clerk and become an integral member of her judicial team.
• This position is contingent on passing a criminal background check.
• This position will remain open until filled.
• Current Minnesota Judicial Branch employees must have satisfactory performance in all competencies in their most recent performance evaluation and no discipline above an oral reprimand in the preceding six months.
• Full State of Minnesota employee benefits package.
• District Court Law Clerks will be placed within the applicable pay range based upon post-law-school graduation legal work experience.
• In addition to completing the online application, applicants should upload and attach a cover letter, resume, law school transcripts, and a writing sample of no more than 10 pages.
• It is the policy of the Minnesota Judicial Branch that all decisions regarding employment are made without discrimination on the basis of disability. Applicants who need a reasonable accommodation for a disability to participate in the employee selection process should contact Human Resources.