Pro Se Law Clerk

Position Title: Pro Se Law Clerk

Salary Range: JSP 11 - JSP 14 ($64,649 - $141,548)
Salary determined by qualifications and federal court experience as set in the Qualifications section of this Notice.

Position Overview:

The Pro Se Clerk provides direct assistance and support to the magistrate judge in chambers, focusing on substantive legal and procedural review of cases pending before the judge. The primary caseload includes prisoner civil litigation, state and federal habeas corpus petitions, civil rights complaints, social security disability appeals, non-dispositive civil motions, and pretrial criminal motions. The primary responsibilities include reviewing complaints, petitions, motions, and pleadings to identify and analyze the issues and basis for relief, performing legal research, and drafting appropriate recommendations and orders. This is a two-year term-limited position. Although applications from graduating third-year students are accepted, preference will be given to applicants who do not anticipate, or are willing to forego, sitting for a state bar exam in the Summer of 2021.

Qualifications:

• Graduated in the top 25% of the class from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Exceptional legal research and writing skills.
• Computer literacy, including established proficiency in computer-assisted legal research, Microsoft Word and Outlook, and Adobe Acrobat; proficiency with Microsoft TEAMS and CM/ECF preferred.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to adapt quickly to new tasks and develop new skills.
• Ability to work independently and as a team player, with a positive attitude.
• Maturity, good judgment, and high ethical standards.
• Ability to work harmoniously in a highly collaborative office.

Preferred Experience:

• Experience on the editorial board of a law review and/or membership on a moot court team that represented the law school in competition with other law schools.
• Bar membership.
• Prior clerkship experience, with prior federal clerkship experience favorably considered.
• No less than two years of legal work experience after graduation from law school; prior clerkship experience will be considered legal work experience.
• Prior experience or demonstrated interest in one or more of the following areas: constitutional law, federal habeas corpus law, civil rights law, social security law.
• Prior litigation experience or significant motion practice at a private law firm or public agency, with experience in federal court favorably considered.
• Prior experience reviewing and analyzing legal submissions from pro se parties.

Benefits:

This is a full-time position eligible for the Federal Judiciary's comprehensive benefits package, which includes ten paid federal holidays, annual and sick leave, health and life insurance, dental and vision insurance, retirement plan, matching, tax-deferred and/or Roth Thrift Savings Plan, flexible spending accounts for health and dependent care, and long-term care insurance.

Application Procedure:

To apply for this position, please submit the following items combined into a single PDF document titled "Pro Se Law Clerk 21-01":

• A cover letter
• A resumé
• Two writing samples
• Three letters of recommendation or professional references