Judicial Law Clerk (Temporary)

United States Courts; Omaha (NE); On-site; USD 52,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid federal holidays

Parking

On-site fitness facility

Job summary

United States Courts in Omaha, Nebraska seeks a temporary Judicial Law Clerk for a 12-week term starting Jan. 21, 2027. The Honorable Judge will require strong research and writing skills, and top-tier academic performance.

Responsibilities include drafting orders, reviewing pleadings, and coordinating with court staff. Eligibility requires law school graduation or imminent conferment, with preference for top quartile ranking and prior federal clerkship experience.

Qualifications

• Must be a law school graduate or awaiting conferment from a recognized school.
• Standing within the upper 25% of the class (top 10% preferred).
• Experience on a law review editorial board is advantageous.
• Prior federal judicial clerkship experience is preferred.
• Equivalents: publications, moot court, or clinical program may count.

Responsibilities

• Provide information, guidance, and advice to the Judge on pending civil and criminal litigation and manage special projects and other duties.
• Draft 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 correspond with Court personnel.
• Review docket to ensure proper progress and alert the Court when action is appropriate.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Academic excellence

Top 25% class

Law review editor

Education

Law school graduate or awaiting degree

Job description

Job Details for Judicial Law Clerk (Temporary)

Court Name/Organization Nebraska District Court

Overview of the Position The Honorable Robert F. Rossiter, Jr., U.S. District Court Judge in Omaha, Nebraska, is seeking a temporary law clerk. This is a 12-week temporary appointment beginning on or after Jan. 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 acontinuing basis in a private firm while attending school (i.e., working one's waythrough college)

Employee Benefits

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 federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.