The United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana is seeking qualified applicants for the full-time permanent position of Magistrate Support Clerk. This position performs a variety of functions to support the Court and serve the bar and public. The Magistrate Support Clerk is responsible for case management, courtroom proceedings and docketing for all civil and criminal cases assigned to the Magistrate Judge, as well as docketing for the District Judges.

Representative Duties:

Making summary entries for all civil and criminal documents and proceedings on the docket in all cases assigned to both the District and Magistrate Judge to include consolidated cases and Multi District Litigation (MDL) cases. This includes, but is not limited to, such things as pleadings, petitions, motions, complaints, minute entries and orders.
Attending various court proceedings with the Magistrate Judge, such as Central Violations Bureau (CVB) trials, CONMAG civil and criminal trials, evidentiary hearings, oral argument hearings, Judgment Debtor examinations and Jury Failure to Appear hearings.
Utilize digital sound recording equipment to electronically record court proceedings.
Preparing daily motions reports for the Magistrate Judge staff from CM/ECF reports.
Conducting Scheduling Conferences by phone to assist in case progression.
Utilizing the Case Management/Electronic Filing System (CM/ECF) system to docket documents, orders, and judgments in accordance with specified docketing procedures, and to run a variety of reports.
Monitor and make changes to the Magistrate Judge’s Conflict Checking Report as needed.
Preparing the monthly statistical report for the Magistrate Judge for submission to the Administrative Office (AO) after verifying all information.
Ensuring the accuracy of and preparing the CJRA Report for the Magistrate Judge.
Reviewing all pleadings signed by the District and Magistrate Judge including, but not limited to, orders, rulings and minute entries.
Assisting in case management by ensuring that all automated civil entries are appropriately linked for proper case management by District Judge Case Managers and chambers staff.
Assisting chambers staff with case management and resolution of problem issues.
Providing relief for the Magistrate Judge Judicial Assistants.
Monitoring the Deficiency Remedy Report to ensure that all deficiencies have been remedied.
Acting as a liaison with attorneys to facilitate the remedy of deficiencies.
Scanning trial exhibits and dockets as necessary for 5th Circuit’s EROA.
Maintaining paper documents that are kept in the Clerk’s Office, such as original bond papers, criminal documents containing an original signature, etc.
Opening civil and criminal cases upon receipt of initiating documents, such as complaints, notices of removal, petitions for writ of habeas corpus, indictments, etc. Entering the statistical opening information into the automated system for accurately reporting cases to the AO.
Reviewing all electronically filed civil and criminal documents using system generated reports to ensure compliance with the FRCP and FRCrP and Court’s Local Rules. Notifying attorneys of errors and deficient filings. Verifying that motions are set before the appropriate judicial officer (i.e., dispositive motions – District Judges, discovery motions – Magistrate Judges) and making applicable modifications.
Scanning, docketing and maintaining the confidentiality of sealed documents.
Answering numerous in person and telephone inquiries, including inquiries from the CM/ECF Help Desk, by furnishing information on a wide variety of topics, such as case status and assisting with the electronic filing of documents.
Retrieving and making copies of documents or other court forms for court personnel, attorneys and others.
Verifying attorney’s authority to practice in this court and notifying the attorney maintenance clerk of any discrepancies.
Issuing summons for complaints, amended complaints, etc. Issuing warrants of arrest of vessel, writs of garnishment and other process to various parties pursuant to court orders. Issuing warrants of arrest, writs and summons in criminal cases.
Scanning and converting documents filed on paper and entering them into the court’s electronic system.
Certifying court documents for parties, attorneys, other court agencies and the public.
Reporting all Copyright, Patent and Trademark cases to the appropriate office. Notifying the Social Security Administration (SSA) of court-ordered remands in cases reviewing the decision of the SSA.
Electronically transferring civil cases to other U.S. District Courts.
Working with chambers and supervisors to process orders efficiently.
Providing back-up coverage for other case administrators, magistrate case managers and other departments as required.
Perform other related duties or projects, as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

Applicants must be a high school graduate or equivalent with a minimum of two years general experience.

General experience is defined as progressively responsible clerical, office, or other work that indicates the possession of, or the ability to acquire, the knowledge and skills needed to perform the duties of the position.

Specialized experience is progressively responsible clerical or administrative experience requiring the regular and recurring application of clerical procedures demonstrating the ability to apply a body of rules, regulations, directives, or laws and involving the routine use of specialized terminology and automated software and equipment for word processing, data entry or report generation. Such experience is commonly encountered in law firms, legal counsel offices, banking and credit firms, educational institutions, social service organizations, insurance companies, real estate and title offices, and corporate headquarters or human resources/payroll operations.

Preferred Qualifications and/or Experience:

Bachelor’s degree.
Excellent computer and typing skills including skills in word processing, scanning and uploading PDF documents, and in using email and web browsers.
Excellent organizational, analytical, oral, and written communication skills.
The ability to maintain confidential information and abide by Judiciary ethical standards.
The ability to present a professional demeanor at all times.
Experience in a fast-paced and demanding environment.
Case docketing and administration experience, knowledge of CM/ECF, and strong computer skills particularly in the federal judiciary are strongly preferred.
Preference will be given to applicants with experience and judgment in creating, handling, or processing legal documents, such as that acquired in federal courts, state courts, or law offices, and to those with paralegal experience and/or certification.

This position encompasses a great deal of responsibility and requires a mature, self-motivated person with a professional attitude. The ability to communicate effectively verbally and in writing is required since frequent contact is with a wide variety of individuals. Good knowledge of language usage, grammar, spelling, and punctuation is required.

U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Louisiana

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Magistrate Support Clerk