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Dec 09, 2025

OMA Summer Law Clerk

Job Description

Position Summary

Hello, we’re Metro! Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow.

Led by an elected council, this unique government gives all residents of greater Portland a voice in shaping the future and provides parks, venues, services, and tools at a regional scale. We develop solutions for our area’s garbage and recycling that protect clean air and water, plan land use and development to create jobs and ensure safe transportation, manage local venues that connect people to arts and culture while supporting economic growth, protect 17,000 acres of parks and natural areas, and operate the Oregon Zoo to keep nature close to home.

The Office of Metro Attorney provides legal advice to the Metro Council, Chief Operating Officer, Auditor, and departments across the organization. Our team of 11 attorneys and six support staff handles a wide variety of legal issues, including land use planning, real estate, housing, construction, litigation, employment and labor, constitutional law, public finance, records and public meetings, contracts, administrative law, elections, and bond measures.

We are looking for summer law clerks to assist our attorneys in delivering legal services to the entire Metro organization. These legal services include research, evaluation, and analysis, and provide advice on regional municipal law. Areas of work may include urban and transportation planning, housing, solid waste and recycling, regional parks, labor and employment, and other matters.

Please note that our office does not handle criminal law and litigation minimal. A ten-week summer commitment is required.

As a summer law clerk you will:
  • Perform legal research and analysis to support Metro’s attorneys.
  • Draft clear, well-reasoned legal memoranda, opinions and advice on regional municipal law, including areas such as urban and transportation planning, housing, solid waste and recycling, regional parks, labor and employment, and other matters of municipal law.
  • Assist in drafting municipal legislation and contracts.
  • Assist in the preparation of pleadings and other related documents for civil matters.
  • Participate in client meetings and contribute to discussions on legal strategy.
Attributes for success:
  • Ability to work well in a team environment with attorneys, paralegals, and legal assistants, as well as independently.
  • Skills in legal research, problem analysis, and drafting clear, well-reasoned legal memoranda, opinions and advice.
  • Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
  • Commitment to Metro's core competencies of public service, cultural humility, teamwork, accountability, openness to change and effective communication.


DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

At Metro, we strive to cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion in all of its work. This means attracting and empowering a workforce that is inclusive of a broad range of human qualities. Workplace diversity is both a moral imperative and a business strength, essential to providing quality support and services to our region. Metro’s goal is to hire, develop and retain highly skilled and talented individuals across all departments and programs who best reflect the diversity of our community.

Learn more about Metro’s Diversity Action Plan


TO QUALIFY

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant.

Minimum Qualifications
  • Must be currently enrolled in law school.
  • Successfully completed one year of classes at an accredited law school.
Schedule: 30-40 hours/week, Monday-Friday, hybrid expected with two days in office.

If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply
If you were terminated for cause during any employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, you may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.

SCREENING AND EVALUATION
The application packet: The application packet consists of the following required documents. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment.

To apply, submit the following by email to: Lisa Hefty, Legal Assistant, lisa.hefty@oregonmetro.gov

  • Resume (with current GPA)
  • Cover letter
  • References (please provide two or three, including names, addresses, current daytime phone numbers and the nature of your relationship with the reference. Written reference is not required, but may be included at the applicant’s option)
  • Writing sample
  • Funding source information, if applicable, including Oregon State Bar summer stipend program of other grant programs
You will receive email confirmation of your application. If you do not, please contact Lisa Hefty at lisa.hefty@oregonmetro.gov

The selection process: We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment on an open and continuous basis beginning Monday, January 5, 2026. If you are a student at one of the ten law schools of the Northwest Consortium of Law Schools, we encourage you to apply through the Northwest Public Service Career Fair (additional information available here: https://law.lclark.edu/nwconsortium/nw-public-service-career-fair/).
  • Initial review of minimum qualifications
  • In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates
  • Consideration of top candidates/interviews
  • Reference checks

COMPENSATION AND REPRESENTATION
Based on the Oregon Pay Equity Act requirements and Metro’s internal equity review process; the appointment will likely be made at $24.00 per hour.

This position is eligible for overtime and is not represented by a union. It is classified as an Intern.

Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions. View the classification description.

Questions?
Recruiter: Megan Warneke
Email: megan.warneke@oregonmetro.gov

Additional Information

Equal employment opportunity
All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made, or any other status protected by law.

Accommodation
Metro will gladly provide a reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.

Veterans' preference
Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Metro positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans' preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

Hybrid Telework
Positions designated as “hybrid telework,” meaning you will have the option to work away from the office, although there may be times that coming into the office will be required. The designation of Hybrid Telework may be subject to change at a future time. All employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; Metro cannot support ongoing telework from other locations.
Pay equity at Metro
No matter who you are or where you work at Metro, you deserve to be paid fairly for the work you do. Every worker must get equal pay for equal work regardless of your gender, race, age, or other protected characteristics. Metro has established processes and conducts routine pay equity reviews as part of the hiring process to ensure compliance with the 2017 Oregon Pay Equity Act.

Online applications
Metro accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.

How to Apply
For tips on how to apply and more information on what the application process looks like, visit Metro’s “How to apply” page.

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Metro

Led by an elected council, this unique government gives all residents of greater Portland a voice in shaping the future and provides parks, venues, services, and tools at a regional scale. We find solutions for our area’s garbage and recycling that protect clean air and water; help plan land use and development to provide jobs and safe transportation; manage local venues that provide a connection to arts and culture and help keep the economy growing; protect 17,000 acres of parks and natural areas, and run the Oregon Zoo, to keep nature close to home.


As part of the Metro family, you play a vital role in serving the people of the greater Portland region.

Paid Internships receive benefits outlined below.
Unpaid Internships do not receive benefits.

  • Paid sick leave
  • Paid parental leave
  • Full contribution to Oregon PERS retirement if eligible and qualified.
  • No-cost TriMet Hop Pass
  • Employee Assistance Program
Learn more about employee benefits.

ID

7f2cd94f9827a7313c10b72f96088d4a
About Oregon Metro
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