Judicial Law Clerk - Temporary

United States Courts; Lincoln (NE); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid federal holidays

On-site fitness facility

Job summary

The United States Courts in Lincoln, Nebraska seeks a temporary Judicial Law Clerk for a 12–14 week appointment beginning on or after May 10, 2027, and ending on or after Aug 16, 2027. Strong academic standing, research, and writing skills are required.

The ideal applicant will have graduated from law school (or awaiting degree) and demonstrate excellence in legal studies; prior federal clerkship experience is preferred and a commitment to public service will be valued.

Qualifications

• Must be a law school graduate (or awaiting conferment) from an ABA- or AALS-recognized school.
• Top 33% of class (top 25% preferred)
• Experience on a law review editorial board preferred
• Prior federal clerkship experience preferred or demonstrated proficiency in legal studies

Responsibilities

• Provide information, guidance, and advice to the Judge in civil and criminal matters and manage special projects and other administrative duties as needed.
• Draft appropriate recommendations and orders for the Court’s signature.
• Review complaints, petitions, motions, and pleadings to determine issues and relief.
• Perform legal research as required.
• Maintain liaison between the Court and litigants and court personnel.
• Review docket to ensure proper progress and inform the Court when action is needed.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Education

Law degree or current law school student awaiting degree

Job description

Job Details for Judicial Law Clerk - Temporary

Court Name/Organization Nebraska District Court

Overview of the Position The Honorable Jacqueline M. DeLuca., U.S. Magistrate Judge in Lincoln, Nebraska, is seeking a temporary law clerk. This is a 12- to 14-week temporary appointment beginning on or after May 10, 2027, and ending on or after Aug. 16, 2027. Excellent academic (top 33% graduating law school class, top 25% preferred), research, and writing skills required.

Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide information, guidance, and advice to the Judge in connection with pending civil and criminal litigation and manage special projects and other administrative duties for the Judge as needed.
• Draft appropriate recommendations and orders for the Court’s signature.
• Review complaints, petitions, motions, and pleadings that have been filed to determine issues involved and basis for relief.
• Perform research as required.
• Maintains liaison between the Court and litigants; correspond with other Court officials and personnel.
• Review docket of pending litigation to assure proper progress. Keep Court advised of those cases where action by the Court is appropriate.

Qualifications

To qualify for the position of law clerk on the personal staff of a federal judge, a person must be a law school graduate (or be certified as having completed all law school studies and requirements and merely awaiting conferment of degree) from a law school of recognized standing, and have one or more of the following attributes:

• Standing within the upper 33% of the law school class (top 25% preferred) 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 a school;
• Prior federal judicial clerkship experience preferred;
• Demonstrated proficiency in legal studies, which in the opinion of the Judge is the equivalent of one of the above.

Some examples of criteria that are acceptable as equivalent include:

• Publication of a noteworthy article in a law school student publication or other scholarly publication;
• Special high-level honors for academic excellence in law school;
• Winning of a moot court competition or membership on a moot court team that represents the law school in competition with other law schools;
• Participation in a law school clinical program sanctioned by the law school. To receive credit, participation and experience could not have been for academic credit; or
• 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)

Employee Benefits

Benefits Package

• Paid federal holidays
• On-site fitness facility

Conditions of Employment

• Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or must be a lawful permanent resident (i.e., green card holder) seeking U.S. citizenship or must complete an affidavit indicating their intent to apply for citizenship when they become eligible to do so.
• Appointment to this position is contingent upon successful completion of a background check, including fingerprint and criminal record checks.
• Employment will be provisional and contingent upon the satisfactory completion of the required background investigation. Retention depends upon a favorable suitability determination.
• Employees are subject to mandatory electronic funds transfer.
• Employees are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees.

Mission

The U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska exists to maintain and perpetuate a law-abiding society by preserving the rule of law through just and orderly resolution of disputes.

The applicants deemed most qualified will be invited to participate in a personal interview at their own expense. Due to the volume of applications received, the court will only communicate with those applicants who will be interviewed. References will not be required until an applicant is considered a finalist. All application information is subject to verification.

Employees of the U.S. District Court are not included in the government’s Civil Service classification but are under an excepted appointment and therefore serve at will.

The Court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this vacancy announcement at any time or to withdraw it without prior notice.

The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.