Address: C-2000 Government Center, 300 South Sixth Street, Minneapolis, Minnesota, 55487
Phone: 612-348-5550
About the Hennepin County Attorney's Office
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty serves as the chief prosecutor for all adult felony crimes and all juvenile offenses in Hennepin County. The Hennepin County Attorney's Office is also responsible for providing legal counsel to the County Board of Commissioners and all County departments, as well as representing the County in civil lawsuits, child support matters, child protection actions and mental health commitments.
Primary Area of Practice
We have a Summer Program for all of our law clerks that includes two onboarding days and trainings spread throughout the summer (typically 2 to 3 per week). Each division also has a law clerk division coordinator who is there to assist the law clerks with any division-specific questions.
Training Provided to Summer Associates
Robust summer training program on substantive law and overview of the divisions in the office.
Pro Bono/Community Involvement
Last summer our law clerks were able to volunteer in Minneapolis with NorthPoint at Free Fresh Food Fridays. Law clerks also had a monthly on-site volunteer opportunity through Hennepin County.
Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office is a fierce advocate for justice and equity, pursuing holistic community safety and providing quality legal services through evidence-informed practices and collaborative problem solving. We provide proactive and innovative legal services in the areas of mental health, child support, child protection, and civil legal representation for Hennepin County to advance the County’s efforts to reduce disparities and enhance the quality of life of our community. Resources and Employee Resource Groups exist across Hennepin County, and within the law clerk program, to support BIPOC, LGBTQIA+, and/or disabled people. More information is available on our website at:
https://www.hennepinattorney.org/about/mission-overview/mission-statement.
Summer Associate/Clerkship Description
During the summer, our law clerks are hired to work for approximately 12 weeks, 32-40 hours per week, from the end of May through mid-August. Law clerks are assigned to one of our nine divisions, with opportunities to meet other division managers and learn about the other divisions in the office. The work of a law clerk is largely dependent upon the needs of the specific division. In addition to research and legal writing assignments, law clerks also have the opportunity to be assigned cases on the County Attorney misdemeanor calendar (COAT calendar) or the Juvenile Serious Traffic calendar. Work is primarily performed on-site at the Hennepin County Government Center and/or the Health Services Building. Law clerks who join us for the summer may have the opportunity to continue working at HCAO during the academic year. More information is available on our website at: https://www.hennepinattorney.org/about/professional-opportunities/law-clerk-program.
Successful Candidate Qualities
Our most successful law clerks are great communicators, are able to work well independently or as part of a team and take initiative to make the experience what they want it to be. A successful candidate will bring their own perspective to the position; we look for law clerks with a variety of life experiences.
Summer Clerkship and Benefits
Law clerks are non-benefit earning employees. Salary will be approximately $22.515 per hour.