Position Title

Law Clerk - Intern (Hourly)

REQUISITION #:

req7989

Department

City Attorney's Office

LOCATION:

CITY HALL

Benefit Category

Variable Hourly

View Classifications & Benefits

Employment Type

Part-Time Hourly

Hourly Rate

$22.00 - 28.00 per hour (based on relevant experience)

Selection Process

Application deadline is

3:00 p.m. MT on 2/28/2025

This position offers an opportunity to work as part of a dedicated team of professionals in an upbeat, fast-paced work environment to support the operations of one of the best communities in Colorado.

The mission of the City Attorney's Office is to provide excellent legal services that reflect the values and achieve the goals of the City, including the City's commitment to equity and inclusion. The City Attorney's Office is growing and developing, continually working toward operational excellence, creativity, and innovation. If you will be a second-or third-year law student or a recent law school graduate looking for a challenging and rewarding work, and a meaningful way to put your skills and experience to work a municipal community, this summer internship position could be right for you.

The City of Fort Collins is a bias-conscious employer. We ask that you please avoid the use of photos when submitting a resume and/or an application for employment. You will receive an email acknowledgment when you have successfully submitted an application. Your completed application will be forwarded to the hiring manager. You will be notified if you are selected for further testing or interviews. Please keep your contact information up-to-date. The status of your application will be updated in your applicant profile.

Post-offer Background Check Required

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they can perform every job description task. We are most interested in finding the best candidate for the job, and that candidate may come from a less traditional background. The City may consider an equivalent combination of knowledge, skills, education, and experience to meet minimum qualifications. If you are interested in applying, we encourage you to think broadly about your background and skill set for the role.

To learn more about The City of Fort Collins and Our Community, please read Our Community and Our Organization Brochure

Job Summary

The Fort Collins City Attorney’s Office is offering a hybrid, paid ($22-$28/hr DOE) summer internship or law clerk opportunity in 2025 for one (1) 3L student, recent law school graduate, or 2L with relevant law or government experience.

This position is designed for students to gain a broad understanding of in-house municipal law practices, including municipal prosecution, land use and zoning, contract review, fiscal and tax policy, elections, open meetings, open records, diversity/equity/inclusion policy, employment, utility services, and public broadband. Assignments will be developed based on an intern’s interests and availability of project sponsors; for example, prosecution assignment (in whole or part) will be considered for an interested intern, but an intern interested in the non-prosecutorial aspects of municipal law practice will be assigned to those areas. The position may be eligible for academic credit as determined by the law school which the student attends. Students completing the summer program may be considered for post-graduation full-time clerkship and fellowship opportunities.

The City Attorney’s Office provides in-house advisory, transactional, and litigation legal services for the City of Fort Collins organization, including advising the City Council and administrators, supporting police services, prosecuting municipal code offenses in municipal court, and advising on telecom, technology, and intellectual property matters.

City Competencies

Demonstrated cultural competence to effectively interact, work, and develop meaningful relationships with people of diverse identities, perspectives, and cultural backgrounds.
Strong learning orientation. Leverages all resources and is creative in ways of learning for self to continue adapting to changing issues and trends.
A desire and ability to understand the diverse needs of internal and external customers, and to create experiences and deliver services that exceed their expectations.
A desire and ability to utilize digital tools for organizational information, individual, and teamwork.

Job Qualifications / Requirements

The City Attorney’s Office seeks candidates with exceptional research, writing, and reasoning skills, experience drafting legal memoranda and case summaries, legislative review, strong communication/interpersonal skills, and well-organized, efficient, and capable team members to collaborate with seasoned attorneys in a mentoring atmosphere. Candidates should be proficient with Westlaw and Microsoft Office applications, and enthusiastic about a hybrid learning experience with exposure to diverse substantive legal projects, including observing and participating in meetings of elected officials. Preference will be given in selection for candidates with prior government experience and affiliation with or interest in practicing law in Colorado.

Additional skill and knowledge testing will be conducted, as well as a post-offer background check. Candidates receiving offers will also be required to sign post-offer agreements, and an agreement(s) regarding confidentiality and conflicts of Interest. For interns assigned tasks for municipal prosecution, there may be additional pre- or post-employment requirements, including the ability to pass and maintain CJIS certification through required background check and fingerprinting to access criminal justice records and databases, and the CRCP 205.7 certification to appear in court (entering 3Ls and recent graduates).

Job Duration

Between 30-40 hour/week position beginning June 9, 2025, and running up to 10 weeks into August 2025; a flexible weekly schedule will be based on work assignments.

This is an in-person position that will allow for some remote work. A qualified candidate should live within a daily commutable distance from the City of Fort Collins City Attorney’s office.

Desired Class Level

Entering 3L/2L/recent graduates

Additional Information

The Fort Collins City Attorney’s Office will begin conducting remote interviews (e.g. Teams, Zoom, etc) in cooperation with Law School Career services, or by other arrangement; and, may also schedule follow-up interviews, as appropriate.

Application Materials

Resume
Cover Letter
Law School Transcript
Undergraduate Transcript

Application Materials If Selected To Interview

A writing sample that demonstrates research and legal writing skills (max 10 pages).
List of References

The City of Fort Collins will make reasonable accommodations for access to City services, programs and activities and will make special communication arrangements for persons with disabilities. Please call (970) 221-6535 for assistance.

Notice Regarding Medical And/or Recreational Marijuana Use

Because the possession and use of marijuana, whether for medical use or otherwise, constitutes a federal offense and because the City is a drug free workplace, the City will not accommodate the medical use of marijuana and enforces written policy prohibiting working for the City while marijuana is in the body. The fact that state law recognizes medical marijuana as a prescribed, or otherwise permitted, medication does not alter or otherwise change this policy.

The City of Fort Collins is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Applicants are considered for positions for which they have applied without regard to race, color, religion, creed, national origin or ancestry, sex, sexual orientation (including perceived sexual orientation), gender identity and expression, disability, age 40 years or older, pregnancy or related condition, genetic information, and, in certain specific circumstances, marriage to a coworker or any other status protected under federal, state, or local law.

Post Offer Background Check Required.

Note: Some information in your application may be public information under the Colorado Open Records Act.

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Law Clerk - Intern