Job Overview

The Hamilton County Clerk of Courts Help Center (Help Center) is a collaboration between the Hamilton County Clerk of Courts and the University of Cincinnati Donald P. Klekamp College of Law. The Help Center provides self-represented litigants with information and limited legal advice to help them better advocate for themselves in the court system. This position is an expansion of the services currently offered by providing information, limited legal advice, and limited representation to Help Center visitors at the Domestic Relations Court at 800 Broadway. This position will focus primarily on serving the domestic violence survivor community who are pursuing protection orders. However, the successful candidate will also be called upon to assist in additional areas of law serviced by the Hamilton County Help Center, including divorce, dissolution, and juvenile court custody. This is a one-year fellowship with an opportunity for extension based upon availability of funds.

Essential Functions

• Provide limited legal advice consultations to Help Center visitors to help them understand the applicable law and court processes, draft written pleadings, and prepare for hearings.
• Provide in-court limited representation to domestic violence survivors who are pursuing a protection order against their abuser.
• Assist with outcome tracking.
• Draft and improve model pleadings.
• Prepare self-help materials to assist self-represented litigants understand the law, court processes and how to litigate their cases without an attorney.
• Work to identify solutions to address systemic issues faced by self-represented litigants.
• Help recruit, train, and supervise student interns and attorney volunteers, which may include assisting with in-class teaching at the UC Klekamp College of Law in conjunction with the DV/CPO Clinic.
• Perform related duties based on departmental need.