Judicial Law Clerk - Term

United States Courts; Salt Lake City (UT); On-site; USD 75,000 - 106,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Parking pass

Flexible schedules

Public transportation subsidy

Job summary

The United States District Court for the District of Utah is accepting applications for a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Robert J. Shelby.

This is a term position with a starting salary of $74,678 to $106,437 based on qualifications and experience. The clerk will serve as a legal advisor to the judge, conduct legal research, draft bench memoranda and opinions, and assist with scheduling and recruitment of term clerks.

Qualifications

• JD required and bar admission.
• Top 15% of class preferred with law review experience.
• Excellent writing, quick absorption and analysis, reliable research and reasoning.

Responsibilities

• Review complaints for jurisdiction and manage civil and criminal dockets.
• Perform legal research and draft bench memoranda, proposed orders, and opinions.
• Advise the judge on pending litigation and attend court proceedings as needed.
• Answer questions from attorneys, litigants, and the public; coordinate with court staff.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Written communication

Analytical thinking

Time management

Education

Juris Doctor

Bar admission

Tools

Case management systems

Word processing

Job description

Job Details for Judicial Law Clerk - Term

Court Name/Organization Utah District Court

Overview of the Position The U.S. District Court for the District of Utah is accepting applications for a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Robert Shelby, U.S. District Judge. This is a ‘term’ law clerk position. The starting salary is $74,678 - $106,437 based on qualifications and experience. By Judicial Conference policy, a ‘term’ law clerk may not serve more than four years in the federal system. This position will be filled immediately.

The judicial law clerk serves as legal advisor to the Honorable Robert J. Shelby. The caseload in the jurisdiction is heavy and the types of cases presented are varied and often involve novel issues of law. The position requires excellent organizational, writing, and analytic skills. Employment with the U.S. District Court offers primarily civil as well as criminal law experience at the federal court trial level and an environment providing significant responsibility and challenge. Responsibilities include:

• Review complaints for jurisdiction, manage all aspects of assigned civil and criminal cases, review docket of pending cases to assure proper progress
• Perform legal research as needed, identify problem areas, make recommendations and offer solutions
• Inform and advise the U.S. District Judge in connection with pending litigation; assist with and attend court proceedings; write bench memoranda, proposed orders, and opinions for the judge’s review
• Answer general and procedural questions from attorneys, pro se litigants, and the public; communicate with court officials and employees from other federal agencies
• Keep abreast of changes in the law and federal and local rules to keep the judge advised of significant changes and perform other duties as assigned
• Aid the U.S. District Judge in the hiring and training of term law clerks

This judicial law clerk will have some clerical and administrative duties. These duties include proofreading and editing material for grammar; spelling accuracy and word usage; coordinating the judge’s schedule, meetings, appointments, and some travel; assisting courtroom deputies in court and in maintaining the electronic court calendar; answering and screening telephone calls; meeting and assisting the public; answering general inquiries; and performing other duties as assigned. The position also requires proficiency with electronic filing and case management systems.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications
The successful candidate must have a Juris Doctor degree and be a member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory or federal court.

There is no GPA or class rank minimum, but candidates graduating in the top 15% of their class with law review experience are strongly preferred. Previous clerkship and other post-law school legal experience is valued.

The successful candidate must be an excellent writer; absorb and analyze information quickly and accurately; research and reason reliably; communicate effectively, orally and in writing; exhibit good judgment, maturity, and tact; be dependable, responsible, and maintain confidentially; be a proactive self-starter and demonstrate initiative in problem solving; work quickly and harmoniously with others in a team-based environment; and present a poised, professional appearance and demeanor. This position requires superb organizational, people and time management skills with the ability to juggle many changing priorities and demands at the same time. Computer-assisted legal research and word processing ability are essential.

Preferred Qualifications
Preference will be given to candidates who have law clerk or other experience in the federal system, proficiency in the use of office technology, and post-graduation legal work experience including civil, criminal, and federal litigation.

Employee Benefits

Salary and Benefits
The court offers a generous benefit package, competitive salary and dedication to work/life balance including flexible schedules, and court paid public transportation or parking pass. The entry salary for this position is a Judicial Salary Plan (JSP) 11 - $74,678 to (JSP) 13 - $106,437 based on qualifications and experience. This is a ‘term’ position. This position falls within the Judicial Branch of the U.S. Government and the benefits include health, dental, vision and life insurance. This position is subject to mandatory direct deposit participation.

For appointment at a JSP Grade 12, 13 or 14, an applicant must also be a member of the Bar of a federal, state, or territorial court of general jurisdiction, and must possess the following year(s) of full-time legal work experience after graduation from law school:

• JSP 12 – one year of post graduate legal work experience;
• JSP 13 – two years of post graduate legal work experience.

Conditions of Employment
All application information is subject to verification. Appointment to this position is contingent upon a background investigation, including an FBI fingerprint check. The judicial law clerk serves at the pleasure of the court and is an ‘at will’ employee and can be terminated with or without cause. All Judiciary employees are required to adhere to the Judicial Code of Conduct. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or be eligible to work in the United States.

United States District Court
Attn: Shelby Law Clerk Position
351 South West Temple, Suite 10.420
Salt Lake City, UT 84101

The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.