LEGAL INTERN

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**POSITION DURATION:  10-12 WEEKS**

THIS POSITION IS SUBJECT TO CLOSE AT ANY TIME

GENERAL DESCRIPTION:

This position provides essential legal and administrative support for the County Legal department focusing on child welfare, child support enforcement, and public service initiatives.

This class works under general supervision, reporting major activities through periodic meetings.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The essential functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the class as necessary.

• Assist attorneys with abuse, neglect, dependency, termination of parental rights, and permanency planning matters.
• Assist with child support establishment, enforcement, modification, and contempt proceedings under Title IV-D.
• Conduct legal research and drafting memoranda, motions, and proposed orders.
• Observe and assist with district court hearings.
• Review case files and prepare evidentiary materials.
• Participate in case staffing meetings with social workers and child support professionals.
• Conduct legal research on matters affecting various county departments such as Tax, Planning, Library, Engineering, HR, etc.
• Draft legal memoranda and advisory opinions.
• Assist with contract review and drafting.
• Observe and assist with civil litigation involving Durham County.
• Attend meetings with county Board of Commissioners, management executives, department directors, supervisors, and legal staff.
• Performs related work as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Ability to maintain confidentiality, attention to detail, strong verbal communication, and the capacity to manage deadlines in a fast-paced environment.  
• Knowledge of legal terminology, procedural rules, and foundational legal principles is essential. 
• Ability to perform statutory and case law research using legal search engines such as Lexis and/or Westlaw. 
• High proficiency in MS Word and Excel. 
• Ability to write clear and concise reports. 
• Ability to deal effectively with the public and other employees.  
• Willingness to adapt and learn quickly in a professional environment.  
• Ability to draft memos, motions, briefs, and contracts.

MINIMUM EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Candidates must be currently enrolled in a Juris Doctor program at an American Bar Association (ABA)-accredited law school. 
• Applicants must have completed their first year of legal studies (or part-time equivalent) by the start of the summer 2026 term. 
• Demonstrated commitment to public service, with a focus on child welfare, child support enforcement, and local government law.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement.

• Performs sedentary work that involves walking or standing some of the time and involves exerting up to 10 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis or sustained keyboard operations.

UNAVOIDABLE HAZARDS (WORK ENVIRONMENT):

Unavoidable hazards refer to the job conditions that may lead to injury or health hazards even though precautions have been taken.

•None.

SPECIAL CERTIFICATIONS AND LICENSES REQUIREMENTS:

• None.

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMPLIANCE:

Durham County is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires Durham County to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management. 

BACKGROUND CHECK STATEMENT:

This position may be subject to a background check, which could include, but is not limited to, criminal history (employment-related and/or SBI fingerprint-based), credit history, motor vehicle records, educational verification, and checks of the sexual offender registry, depending on the specific requirements of the role. A conviction record does not automatically disqualify an applicant from employment consideration, unless otherwise required by applicable state law.