Law Clerk

Law Clerk Position

Are you looking for an exciting and engaging opportunity to apply theoretical legal principles to a variety of real-world situations? Do you have a passion for public service? If so, then consider applying to be a Law Clerk in the City of Champaign Legal Department. Current openings are for the remainder of the 2026-2027 school year. The starting date for this position will be on or around November 2, 2026. This position is part-time (up to 15 hours a week) during the school year with the optional possibility of up to 40 hours per week during school breaks.

Responsibilities of Position: Law Clerks develop and apply legal research and writing skills to a variety of topics related to municipal law. Clerks delve into research topics relating to municipal law such as real estate, planning and economic development, labor and employment, public safety issues, contracts, and municipal finance. Clerks then use that research to prepare pleadings that may be filed with the court as well as internal legal memos providing research summaries and recommendations for City attorneys or other City Departments. City Law Clerks may appear in court in civil matters advocating the City's interests or as the City's prosecutor in court under the supervision of the City Attorney, the Deputy City Attorney, or the Assistant City Attorneys. Law Clerks also transfer documents to and from the courthouse as another way to increase exposure to members of the local legal community and may assist with administrative tasks in the Legal Department including providing customer service in-person or by phone.

Required Qualifications:

• A bachelor's degree and have completed the first two semesters of law school at the time of employment.
• Basic knowledge of federal and state law.
• Knowledge of legal reference works and methods of legal research.
• The ability to seek, analyze, appraise, and organize facts, evidence, and precedents.
• The ability to exercise professional judgment and maintain confidentiality of information.
• The ability to accomplish assigned tasks in a timely fashion with minimal supervision.
• Superior oral and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated attention to detail.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working or volunteering in an office setting.
• Experience providing customer service.
• Experience maintaining confidentiality of information.
• Experience in public service or public sector work.

The starting salary is $25.52 per hour. Applications, including cover letter, writing sample that demonstrates your legal research and analysis ability, and three references (professional or academic), must be submitted online no later than Sunday, October 4, 2026. Interviews are tentatively scheduled for the week of October 12, 2026, at the Champaign City Building, 102 N. Neil Street, Champaign. The City's mission is to provide responsive, caring, cost-effective service in partnership with our community. The following values guide our work: Personal Integrity, Responsibility, Respect, Teamwork, Results. The City of Champaign is committed to promoting a work environment and a community that values and supports diversity and inclusion.