What are the responsibilities and job description for the Term Law Clerk to the Honorable Sharad H. Desai position at U.S. Courts?
Duties
The judicial law clerk to a U.S. District Judge performs substantive review, research and writing and is responsible for preparing bench memos and orders on matters pending before the judge. The caseload in the jurisdiction is heavy, and the types of cases presented are varied, sometimes involving novel issues of law. There is daily interaction with the Judge and the other law clerks concerning legal and court-related issues.
Requirements
Conditions of Employment
- BACKGROUND INVESTIGATION OR CLEARANCE
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
DRUG TESTING
Qualifications
To qualify for the position of law clerk at salary level JSP 11, a person must be a law school graduate and have one or more of the following attributes:
- Standing within the upper third of the law school class from a law school on the approved list of either the American Bar Association or the Association of American Law Schools.
- Experience on the editorial board of a law review of such school.
- Graduation from such a school with an LLM degree; or
- Demonstrated proficiency in legal studies, which, in the opinion of the judge, is the equivalent of one of the above. Some examples of criteria which are considered to be acceptable as equivalent include:
o Publication of a noteworthy article in a law school student publication or other scholarly publication;
o Special high-level honors for academic excellence in law school, such as election to the Order of the Coif;
o Winning of a moot court competition or membership on a moot court team that represents the law school in competition with other law schools;
o Participation in the legal aid or other law school clinical program sanctioned by the law school;* or
o Summer experience as a law clerk to a state or local judge or law clerk experience on a continuing basis in a private firm while attending school (i.e., working one's way through college).*
- In order to receive credit, participation and experience could not have been for academic credit.
To qualify for the position of law clerk at salary level JSP 12, a person must be a law school graduate, have one year of legal work experience performed after graduation from law school, be a member of the bar of a state, territorial, or federal court of general jurisdiction and have one or more of the attributes listed in the first paragraph under Minimum Qualifications.
To qualify for the position of law clerk at salary level JSP 13, a person must be a law school graduate, have two years of legal work experience performed after graduation from law school, and be a member of the bar of a state, territorial, or federal court of general jurisdiction and have one or more of the attributes listed in the first paragraph under Minimum Qualifications.
To qualify for the position of law clerk at salary level JSP 14, a person must be a law school graduate, have three years of legal work experience performed after graduation from law school, two of which must have been served in the federal judiciary. Qualifying legal work experience is experience in a court unit or federal public defender organization within the federal judiciary for which a Juris Doctor and membership of the bar of a state, territory, or federal court of general jurisdiction is a minimum qualification requirement, or as a Supreme Court Fellow.
TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS:
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS Preference will be given to those applicants who possess law review/journal experience, have a minimum standing within the top quarter, but ideally the top 10%, of the law school class, and who have post-law-school legal work experience. Demonstrated legal writing of the highest quality and experience with Westlaw are required.
Education
EDUCATION:
Juris Doctorate from a recognized law school.
Additional information
This job is being filled by an alternative hiring process and is not in the competitive civil service.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Term law clerks may be eligible to participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits program, with costs shared with your employer. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#FEHB.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
How You Will Be Evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
You will be evaluated based upon the question responses you provide during a structured interview. In responding to structured interview questions you should be sure to cite specific examples of experience, explain exactly what you did, and the outcome.
Benefits
A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
Term law clerks may be eligible to participate in the Federal Employees Health Benefits program, with costs shared with your employer. More info: http://www.usajobs.gov/jobextrainfo.asp#FEHB.
Review our benefits
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.
Required Documents
As a new or existing federal employee, you and your family may have access to a range of benefits. Your benefits depend on the type of position you have - whether you're a permanent, part-time, temporary or an intermittent employee. You may be eligible for the following benefits, however, check with your agency to make sure you're eligible under their policies.
Applicants must submit the following:
- Cover letter setting forth the candidate's interest in clerking for Judge Desai and the District of Arizona specifically.
- Resume.
- Unofficial or Official Law School Transcript.
- A writing sample of up to ten (10) pages in length.
- Three (3) references.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
Visit the Online System for Clerkship Application and Review (OSCAR)for information and details regarding this position and to apply at https://oscar.gov
Agency contact information
District of Arizona Human ResourcesPhone6023227110Emailazdml_human_resources_arizona@azd.uscourts.govAddressU.S. District Court, District of Arizona
401 W. Washington St.
Phoenix, AZ 85003
Phoenix, Arizona 85003
USNext steps
Applications will be reviewed when received; a hiring selection may be made prior to the listed closing date.
After we receive application packages (including all required documents) to the Online System for Clerkship Application and Review (OSCAR). For information and details regarding this position and to apply, visit our website at https://oscar.gov, applications will be reviewed to ensure qualification and eligibility requirements are met. After the review is complete, applications will be referred to the hiring manager who will determine who may be contacted for an interview.Fair and Transparent
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
- Criminal history inquiries
- Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Policy
- Financial suitability
- New employee probationary period
- Privacy Act
- Reasonable accommodation policy
- Selective Service
- Signature and false statements
- Social security number request
Required Documents
- Cover letter setting forth the candidate's interest in clerking for Judge Desai and the District of Arizona specifically.
- Resume.
- Unofficial or Official Law School Transcript.
- A writing sample of up to ten (10) pages in length.
- Three (3) references.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
This job is open to
- The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Clarification from the agency
Applications are ONLY accepted online at the District of Arizona's employment website at
