Judicial Law Clerk Temporary

NACBA; Omaha (NE); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid federal holidays

Parking

On-site fitness facility

Job summary

U.S. District Court - District of Nebraska in Omaha, NE seeks a temporary law clerk for a 12-week appointment beginning January 21, 2027, to April 15, 2027. Top quartile academic performance, strong research and writing skills required.

The role involves advising the Judge on civil and criminal litigation, drafting orders, and performing extensive legal research. Background check and suitability determinations are required, with benefits including paid federal holidays and parking.

Qualifications

• JD from an ABA-approved law school.
• Top 25% of class; top 10% preferred.
• Experience on a law review is preferred.
• Prior federal clerkship experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Provide information, guidance, and advice to the Judge in civil and criminal litigation and manage administrative duties.
• Draft recommendations and orders for the Court's signature.
• Review complaints, petitions, motions, and pleadings for issues and relief.
• Perform legal research as required.
• Maintain liaison between the Court and litigants and other court personnel.
• Review docket to assure proper progress and inform Court of required actions.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Legal research

Legal writing

Attention to detail

Communication

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Top 25% of law school class

Law review experience

Tools

Bluebook

Job description

Opening Date: Thursday, August 20, 2026

Closing Date: Friday, September 18, 2026

The Honorable Robert F. Rossiter, Jr., United States District Court Judge in Omaha, Nebraska, is seeking a temporary law clerk. This is a 12-week temporary appointment beginning on or after January 21, 2027, and ending on or after April 15, 2027. Excellent academic (top 25% graduating law school class, top 10% 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.
• Maintain 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 25% of the law school class (top 10% 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)

Benefits Package

• Paid federal holidays
• Parking
• 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 District of Nebraska is an Equal Opportunity Employer and has a strong commitment to achieving diversity among staff.