Internship Opportunity

Transcription

1 1 Opportunity Judicial Intern The Trial Court Administrator s Office for the 26 th Judicial District of North Carolina is seeking law students to serve as unpaid judicial interns for the judiciary in Mecklenburg County. This position is unpaid. All unpaid individuals who volunteer their time are considered interns. Interns who are not receiving payment from an outside party in relation to their voluntary service are considered employees of the Court. About Our Judiciary Superior Court Judges are attorneys who are elected for each district in non-partisan elections for eight-year terms. Regular superior court judges must reside in the district in which they are elected, but rotate from one district to another within their division. Special and emergency judges may also be assigned to particular judicial districts by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of North Carolina. The Senior Resident Superior Court Judge has the most seniority of the superior court judges in the district and is responsible for carrying out various administrative duties. The Superior Court has jurisdiction in both civil and criminal cases. The types of cases that are heard in superior court often require jury trials and deal with various action involving personal injury cases, medical malpractice, contract disputes, and actions in which the amount in controversy exceeds $25,000. There are a few special categories of cases, such as those involving appeals from administrative agencies and constitutional issues, are tried in Superior Court. In criminal cases, the Superior Court has exclusive jurisdiction over all felonies and over misdemeanors appealed from a conviction in District Court. The senior resident superior court judge is responsible for court operations within the district. By statute, the senior resident superior court judge is the most senior judge in the district and is responsible for carrying out various administrative duties and appointing magistrates and some other court officials.

2 2 The Senior Resident Superior Court Judge is W. Robert Bob Bell. Judge Bell attended Wake Forest University School of Law where he earned a Juris Doctor degree. Before serving on the Superior Court, he was in private practice and also served as an Assistant District Attorney. He has served on the Superior Court bench for the past 17 years. Eight Superior Court Judges currently serve the people of this judicial district. Other Mecklenburg County Superior Court Judges in order of seniority include: Resident Superior Court Judge Yvonne M. Evans Resident Superior Court Judge Eric L. Levinson Resident Superior Court Judge Linwood O. Foust Resident Superior Court Judge Hugh B. Lewis Resident Superior Court Judge Lisa C. Bell Resident Superior Court Judge Carla N. Archie Special Superior Court Judge for Complex Business Cases Luis A. Bledsoe, III Special Superior Court Judge for Complex Business Cases Adam M. Conrad District Court Judges are attorneys elected for each district in non-partisan elections for four years and must reside in the district in which they are elected. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of North Carolina designates one of the judges as Chief District Court Judge, and this judge has administrative duties, including assigning the judges to sessions of court. Both civil and criminal cases are heard in District Court. The civil district court handles matters dealing with domestic issues such as custody, child support, equitable distribution and divorce actions. For the trial of all civil actions in which the amount in controversy is $25,000 or less district court would be the proper division. Domestic relations cases involving alimony, child support, child custody, divorce, equitable distribution, and juvenile matters are also heard in this court. In criminal cases, District Court has exclusive original jurisdiction over misdemeanor cases and most traffic offenses. The Chief District Court Judge is Regan A. Miller. Judge Miller is a native of Charlotte, North Carolina. He obtained his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Economics from Williams College and his law degree from the University Of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He has worked for the federal government as an Attorney Advisor with the Interstate Commerce Commission, and a Trial Attorney, Supervisory Trial Attorney and Administrative Judge with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. He was an associate with the Charlotte law firm of James, McElroy & Diehl, P.A., and a partner in the Charlotte law firm of Murphy, Chapman & Miller, and P.A. He is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court and the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. Governor Jim Hunt appointed him to the bench as a District Court Judge in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina in June Although he has presided over all types of civil and criminal matters filed in district court, since 2001 Judge Miller has specialized in presiding over family court matters and has primarily presided over juvenile court cases since

3 He has also presided over the Family Drug Treatment Court for Mecklenburg County and the Truancy Court at various elementary schools Additional Mecklenburg County District Court Judges: Hon. Rickye McKoy-Mitchell Hon. Louis A. Trosch, Jr. Hon. Becky T. Tin Hon. Christy T. Mann Hon. Ronald L. Chapman Hon. Donnie Hoover Hon. Paige B. McThenia Hon. Kimberly Best-Staton Hon. Charlotte Brown Hon. Elizabeth Thornton Trosch Hon. Karen Eady-Williams Hon. Donald R. Cureton, Jr. Hon. Matthew J. Osman Hon. Sean P. Smith Hon. Jena P. Culler Hon. Ty Hands Hon. Gary L. Henderson Hon. David H. Strickland Hon. Alicia Brooks Hon. Aretha V. Blake The Value of a Judicial A judicial internship provides direct insight into the judicial process and is a valuable and enriching experience. A judicial intern gains practical experience by attending judicial proceedings, performing legal research and providing other assistance to the judge. Judicial interns are also exposed to the methods and customs of practitioners and learn the level of professional behavior expected of lawyers. Many former judicial interns find the prestige and experience associated with service as a judicial intern broadens their future employment opportunities. Duties of Judicial Interns The duties and functions of a judicial intern are determined by the employing judge. In most chambers, judicial interns concentrate on legal research and writing. Typically, the broad range of duties assigned to a judicial intern includes conducting legal research, preparing bench memos, drafting orders and opinions, proofreading the judge s orders and opinions, verifying citations, communicating with counsel regarding case management and procedural requirements, and assisting the judge during courtroom proceedings. Some judges also may assign maintaining the chambers library and other administrative duties to the law clerk.

4 4 Judicial interns are also expected to work cooperatively with chambers staff and court personnel. The employing judge must be confident in the judicial interns professionalism in interacting with counsel, litigants and the public. A judicial intern is bound by the ethical standards established by the judge and the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees. Judicial interns may work for an individual judge or work in a pool that supports multiple judges. Qualifications This position is suitable for rising second year or third year law students currently enrolled in good standing with an accredited law school. All applicants must have excellent academic credentials and possess superior analytical, research, and writing skills. Law review or moot court experience is preferred. Computer skills using Microsoft Office is required. Personal Characteristics The successful candidate is mature, responsible, poised, and tactful, exercises good judgment, uses initiative, and maintains a professional appearance and demeanor at all times. Candidate is also able to work harmoniously with others and communicates effectively, both orally and in writing. Background Check This is a Sensitive position within the Judiciary. The selected candidate will be subject to a criminal history background check. The internship will be considered provisional until the background check is completed. Applicants who have cases pending before the court will not be considered. and Cycle Opportunities are generally available year round Summer Programs /07/17 05/10/17 5/22/2017 Between 5/23 and 6/9/ /7/ /11/17 Fall Programs /07/ /9/17 8/14/ /21 12/11/ /15/2017

5 5 Spring Programs /06/17 01/16/18 01/22/18 01/22/18 05/07/18 05/11/18 Hours of Work: Flexible. Any weekday, Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. A total of 24 hours per week is preferred. No nights, weekends, or major holiday hours are required. Qualified applicants may submit a letter of interest, resume, and writing sample to: To Apply Please submit a resume and letter of interest to: Community Access and Outreach Administrator - INTERNSHIP 832 East Fourth Street, Suite 4420 Charlotte, NC Mecklenburg.COA@nccourts.org