Courtroom Deputy

United States Courts; Tyler (TX); On-site; USD 52,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid holidays

Annual leave

Sick leave

Federal Employees’ Retirement System

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)

Federal Employees’ Health Benefits

Federal Employees’ Group LifeInsurance

Job summary

United States Courts in Tyler, TX seeks a Courtroom Deputy to manage a judge’s caseload, log court proceedings, and process orders. The role requires paralegal skills, strong attention to detail, and excellent customer service. Experience with CM/ECF and Adobe Acrobat is preferred.

The Deputy will coordinate hearings, prepare minutes and transcripts, docket filings, and draft orders, supporting efficient court operations and high public service standards.

Qualifications

• Three years specialized court experience or equivalent work experience in a legal environment or closely related field
• A bachelor’s degree is preferred
• Experience in applying recurring procedures and using specialized terminology that demonstrates the ability to apply a body of rules, regulations, directives, or laws
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Understanding of legal terminology
• Commitment to providing excellent customer service
• Experience interacting effectively and appropriately with others as a team
• Good judgment, pleasant temperament, integrity, trustworthiness, and the strong character required of an officer of the Judiciary
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, handle sensitive information, and exercise discretion at all times
• Self-motivation, professional demeanor, and excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Technology proficiency and adaptability. Must be experienced with Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Office, including Word and Excel
• Prior experience with the court’s case management system (CM/ECF) is preferred

Responsibilities

• Manage the judge’s caseload by calendaring and monitoring deadlines and reviewing filings of pertinent documents and responses to judicial orders
• Monitor case movement and coordinate hearings to ensure cases proceed smoothly and efficiently. Review case management reports for necessary actions. Inform judge and chambers staff of case progression
• Serve as primary source of information on scheduling conferences, hearings, trials, and other case processes. Inform the jury clerk of upcoming trials and needs for jurors and schedule court interpreters and court reporters when necessary
• Ensure the orderly flow of courtroom proceedings, including setting up the courtroom, assuring presence of participants, administering oaths, assisting with electronic evidence presentation systems, operating recording equipment when needed, assisting during jury selection, maintaining records of jury attendance
• Prepare and docket minute entries that summarize courtroom proceedings and rulings
• Assist parties and the public with obtaining transcripts
• Draft form orders and judgments for the judge’s approval
• Enter and reconcile statistical information required by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts
• Docket pleadings, other filings, orders, judgments, and minutes of court utilizing CM/ECF
• Review the quality of documents electronically filed by parties, ensuring proper docketing
• Perform a variety of other Clerk's Office duties as assigned

Skills

Paralegal skills

Attention to detail

Customer service

Teamwork

Judgment and discretion

Confidentiality

Communication

Interpersonal skills

Technology proficiency

Adobe Acrobat

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

CM/ECF

Education

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

CM/ECF

Adobe Acrobat

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Overview of the Position The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas is a public service-oriented organization focused on providing exceptional customer service to the court, members of the legal community and the general public. Currently, we are seeking a motivated and experienced individual to serve as a Courtroom Deputy to a U.S. District Judge. There are seven Clerk’s Offices within the Eastern District of Texas: Beaumont, Lufkin, Marshall, Plano, Sherman, Texarkana and Tyler.

The Courtroom Deputy manages the judge’s caseload, attends and logs court proceedings, and processes orders. As a member of the Clerk’s Office staff, the Courtroom Deputy serves as a liaison with the judge, chambers staff, attorneys, federal agencies, and members of the public. Paralegal skills are highly advantageous. This job also requires a high level of subject matter expertise and attention to detail as it entails complex case management. The position also requires a high standard of professionalism as it has significant courtroom responsibilities.

• All of the duties associated with paralegal work
• Manage the judge’s cases by calendaring and monitoring deadlines and reviewing filings of pertinent documents and responses to judicial orders
• Monitor case movement and coordinate hearings to ensure cases proceed smoothly and efficiently. Review case management reports for necessary actions. Inform judge and chambers staff of case progression.
• Serve as primary source of information on scheduling conferences, hearings, trials, and other case processes. Inform the jury clerk of upcoming trials and needs for jurors and schedule court interpreters and court reporters when necessary.
• Ensure the orderly flow of courtroom proceedings, which includes setting up the courtroom, assuring the presence of all necessary participants, administering oaths, assisting with electronic evidence presentation systems, operating equipment that records court proceedings when a court reporter is not required, assisting the judge and parties during jury selection, maintaining records of jury selection and attendance, managing hearing and trial exhibits, and maintaining contact with counsel during jury deliberations
• Prepare and docket minute entries that summarize the courtroom proceedings and rulings
• Assist parties and the public with obtaining transcripts
• Draft form orders and judgments for the judge’s approval
• Enter and reconcile statistical information required by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts
• Docket pleadings, other filings, orders, judgments, and minutes of court utilizing the court’s Case Management / Electronic Case Files system (CM/ECF)
• Review the quality of documents electronically filed by parties, ensuring that documents are appropriately and accurately docketed
• Perform a variety of other Clerk's Office duties as assigned

Qualifications

• Three years specialized court experience or equivalent work experience in a legal environment or closely related field
• A bachelor’s degree is preferred
• Experience in applying recurring procedures and using specialized terminology that demonstrates the ability to apply a body of rules, regulations, directives, or laws
• Attention to detail and accuracy
• Understanding of legal terminology
• Commitment to providing excellent customer service
• Experience interacting effectively and appropriately with others as a team
• Good judgment, pleasant temperament, integrity, trustworthiness, and the strong character required of an officer of the Judiciary
• Ability to maintain confidentiality, handle sensitive information, and exercise discretion at all times
• Self-motivation, professional demeanor, and excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Technology proficiency and adaptability. Must be experienced with Adobe Acrobat and Microsoft Office, including Word and Excel
• Prior experience with the court’s case management system (CM/ECF) is preferred

Employee Benefits

The U.S. District Court falls within the Judicial Branch of the U.S. Government. Judiciary employees serve under “Excepted Appointment” and are considered “at-will” employees. As such, employment may be terminated by either the employer or the employee with or without cause. Federal Civil Service classifications/regulations do not apply; however, court employees are entitled to similar benefits as other federal employees. These benefits include participation in the Federal Employees’ Retirement System which contributes to the Social Security Retirement Program, the Federal Employees’ Health Benefits Program, Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance Program, Thrift Savings Plan (similar to a 401k plan with employer matching contributions), paid holidays and annual/sick leave accrual. See the U.S. Courts website for an overview of Federal Judiciary benefits.

The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.