Legal Intern

DEFINITION
This position focuses primarily on municipal prosecution. If the intern expresses an interest in gaining experience in civil work, in addition to municipal prosecution, there is an opportunity for the intern to gain civil experience.  A legal intern is expected to perform the full range of work assigned by prosecuting municipal ordinance violations and providing legal counsel to various departments under the direction of the supervisor. The legal intern is expected to work with some independence and initiative.    

MINIMUM REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATIONS
Two years of law school experience. Eligibility to practice law under supervision pursuant to the Student Practice Act, C.R.S. § 13-93-201, et seq.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
All legal interns report to the Deputy City Attorney and Assistant City Attorney II.    

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
Legal Intern Essential Responsibilities and Duties:

• Prosecutes municipal cases including:
• Preparing for and conducting arraignments, pre-trial hearings, bench trials, jury trials, and sentencings.
• Interviewing victims and witnesses of crimes.
• Drafting pleadings, producing discovery, and drafting appeals.
• Engaging in plea negotiations with defendants or their attorney during pre-trial conferences.
• Drafts, amends, and reviews legal documents, including ordinances, resolutions, agreements, City Council staff reports, contracts, intergovernmental agreements, deeds, and leases under the supervision of and at the direction of the Deputy City Attorney or Assistant City Attorneys.
• Conducts legal research and drafts legal opinions on a variety of legal issues at the request of the City Attorney, Deputy City Attorney, or Assistant City Attorneys.
• Assists the City Attorneys’ Office in developing and maintaining a service-oriented work environment that supports the City’s vision, mission, and values.

• Experience and/or interest in municipal prosecution, including, but not limited to maintaining a professional demeanor when appearing before the court and while communicating with defendants, witnesses, and victims.
• Some skill with prioritizing and completing work with limited supervision, including the ability to meet critical municipal court deadlines.
• Knowledge of techniques and resources for conducting legal research.
• Some ability to review, read, interpret, and explain facts, abstract concepts, and law to a variety of audiences.
• Strong written and oral communication skills; a clear and concise writer and speaker (no “legalese”), articulate, intellectually honest, and direct without being abrasive.
• Ability to maintain discretion and confidentiality with sensitive legal matters and inquiries.
• Diplomacy and political astuteness while remaining apolitical, with strong situational awareness and common sense.
• Proficiency in typical office software, including but not limited to, Microsoft Office and Adobe, and general ability to learn new software programs.
• Ability to exercise appropriate level of initiative and judgment to make decisions within the scope of assigned authority.
• A respectful attitude towards both coworkers and Brighton residents that promotes teamwork, open communication, integrity, trust-building, and effective customer service.

• Work is primarily performed indoors and is primarily sedentary in nature.
• Must demonstrate the ability to meet the physical demands of the job, which include but may not be limited to, lifting and/or carrying up to 10 pounds, walking, standing, hand/eye coordination to operate a computer system, speech and hearing to maintain communication during the normal course of work.
• Valid Colorado driver’s license with safe driving record.
• A background check is required for this position.