Please apply on the La Crosse County website. While we are happy to answer questions concerning the position, submissions not sent through the official application cannot be considered. If you have questions about the process, the position, or about La Crosse in general, you are welcome to contact the current law clerk, Chad Post, at chad.post@wicourts.gov.
Quick FAQ:
Q: Which judge in La Crosse will I be working for?
A: All of them! This position offers the candidate a unique opportunity to be the clerk for five elected judges and the family court commissioner.
Q: What if my mediation / arbitration experience isn’t in law, per se?
A: That’s okay! The important thing is that you have experience mediating disputes as a neutral party.
Q: What if my experience in mediation is only academic?
A: That’s okay too! During the interview process, the current law clerk will run you through a few real-world scenarios to assess your mediation skills.
Q: Do I have to pass the bar to be selected / to keep my job?
A: You’re welcome to sit for the bar if you like, but it is absolutely not required, either to get the job or to remain in the position.
Q: I’m a foreign trained LLM. Can I apply?
A: Absolutely.
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Overview
La Crosse County has an opportunity for a Law Clerk to to assist the Courts in legal research and in mediating small claims settlement. Employee in this class must have specialized legal training to perform the required research. Position breaks down into 60% traditional law clerk duties, 30% mediation related tasks, and 10% special project work.
Application Instructions
Complete the on-line application and upload the following as attachments:
1. Cover Letter
2. Résumé
3. Law School Transcript
4. Writing Sample addressed to Judge Ramona Gonzalez
Applicants who do not submit the required paperwork will not be considered.
This full-time (40 hrs/wk), salaried position qualifies for our excellent benefits package!
Benefits include, but are not limited to:
•Health insurance at an affordable monthly cost to you with low deductibles and options for free services at retail clinics.
•Dental insurance with many services covered at 100%
•Life insurance with short and long-term disability.
•Wisconsin Retirement System.
•Generous paid time off benefits such as vacation and holidays.
Starting salary depends on qualifications – Minimum: $40,393. La Crosse County Respects Diversity
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***** Essential Job Functions *****
This list of duties is subject to change. For a full list of duties, qualifications and requirements, including physical demands, please see the complete job description attached below. The most up-to-date job description is always available on the La Crosse County website at: http://www.co.la-crosse.wi.us/
- Reviews motions and briefs submitted by parties, offering legal opinions as requested.
- Conducts independent legal research and provides advisory opinions for the judges and court staff.
- Prepares memoranda, decisions, and orders for the judges.
- Advises judges on novel and unusual legal issues as they arise.
- Stays current on statutes and precedential case law, advising judges and court staff of critical developments affecting the operation of the court.
- Responds to letters from attorneys and pro se litigants on behalf of the judges. Maintains a record of assignments, balancing workloads from multiple judges to comply with due dates and assignment requirements.
- Assists the judges and the Clerk of Courts with other projects as required. Mediates all small claims cases in La Crosse County before trial, including all landlord/tenant disputes and eviction cases.
Training, Experience and Other Requirements
- Juris Doctorate or an L.L.M. from an accredited law school or a foreign equivalent required. Bar passage is not required.
- Legal research experience and practical experience drafting legal memorandums preferred.
- Arbitration and/or mediation experience preferred.
- Knowledge of landlord/tenant law is a plus.
- Familiarity with Wisconsin law is a plus, but is not required.