Law Clerk I with Judge Alexander W. Samuels

Arizona Court of Appeals; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One, in Phoenix, seeks a Law Clerk I to assist Judge Alexander W. Samuels. The role involves reviewing briefs, preparing pre-draft decisions, and supporting staff attorneys on complex legal issues.

The position requires a law degree or current law student, offers an exempt salaried role at $60,170 annually, and a 40-hour work week (Mon-Fri). Applications reviewed beginning November 2, 2026.

Qualifications

• Law degree from an accredited school or current law student expected to graduate before start date.
• Strong legal research and writing abilities with attention to detail.
• Ability to work professionally in a fast-paced court environment.

Responsibilities

• Analyze briefs and court record; prepare a pre-draft decision.
• Draft proposed written decisions for judges' consideration.
• Participate in conference, answer questions, and attend oral arguments.
• Access and use the Court’s case management system and SharePoint.
• Take notes during conference and assist with post-conference editing.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Communication skills

Ethics and confidentiality

Organization & multitasking

Professionalism

Education

Law degree or law student

Tools

Westlaw

Lexis Nexis

Office 365

Job description

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Law Clerk I with Judge Alexander W. Samuels

2026 Judicial Law Clerkship with Judge Alexander W. Samuels
Immediate Opening

Title: Law Clerk I
Grade: Fixed Rate
Reports To: Judicial Officer
Department: Judicial Chambers
Exempt Status: Exempt
Status: Full-Time (40 hours per week)
Schedule: Monday-Friday 8 hours per day
Salary: $60,170
Minimum Requirements:
Must be a law school graduate or a current law school student expecting to graduate before the employment start date.

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY

Judge Alexander W. Samuels with the Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One is accepting clerkship applications and materials from law school graduates and practicing attorneys who wish to apply for a clerkship that will begin as soon as possible.

The first review date will be Monday, November 2, 2026, however, interviews may be conducted as applications are received. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible.

Position Summary

The Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One, Law Clerk I position is an exempt salaried position. Under the direction of the Chambers Judge, a Law Clerk’s primary responsibility is to review briefs and the court record and to prepare a pre-draft decision in assigned cases. This position presents a rare opportunity to work directly with experienced judges and staff lawyers on complex and fascinating legal issues, improve their writing and analytical skills, and make a lasting contribution to the law in Arizona.

Job Description

Cases assigned to a particular panel of three judges are divided among the judges on the panel, and draft decisions are prepared by law clerks or staff attorneys working with an individual judge. Law clerks may be asked to write an initial draft decision, in consultation with the assigned judge. The draft is then circulated to the other judges on the panel for consideration when the case is set for conference.

At conference, the law clerk who has drafted a proposed decision may be asked to present the case to the panel of judges. The law clerk’s presentation generally includes a summary of the relevant facts and an analysis of the relevant law. The law clerk is expected to have thoroughly reviewed the trial court record and to be available to help answer questions about the record. The law clerk who prepared the initial draft may also be asked to assist with post-conference editing and with cite-checking the draft.

During conference, law clerks also take notes on all cases presented, including cases presented by staff attorneys and other law clerks.

Essential Functions

• Analyze the record and legal issues and undertake legal research.
• Draft proposed written decisions for consideration by judges.
• Participate in conference, answer judges’ questions, and attend oral arguments.
• Access and use the Court’s case management system.
• Access and use SharePoint and Office 365.
• Serve as bailiff for oral arguments.
• Law clerks may be given other projects by their judge(s). Such projects may include case law or statutory research, assistance in handling requests for special action relief and other legal research and writing.
• An effective law clerk also helps with projects as assigned to help resolve cases efficiently and productively.
• Law clerks have shared administrative responsibilities with the chamber’s Judicial Assistant.
• Law clerks may be assigned general supervisory responsibilities for externs working in their chambers.
• Law clerks are bound by the ethical standards established by the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees.

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements

• Law degree from an accredited college/university and law school.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge and understanding of law, court procedures, and court systems.
• Knowledge of legal research tools (Westlaw, Lexis Nexis, etc.).
• Ability to work with professionalism in a busy environment.
• High ethical standards and maintaining confidentiality about pending court cases and business processes.
• Ability to organize and manage multiple projects simultaneously and changes in responsibilities, duties, and procedures through cross training.
• Superior verbal and written communication skills.
• Superior research and analytical skills.
• Show initiative and sound judgement in decision making.
• Close attention to detail and proofreading and commitment to accuracy.
• Excellent interpersonal skills in various situations.
• Skilled in citation formatting.

Preferred Education and Experience

Legal experience, including work as a lawyer, extern, or intern, is a plus. Other professional experience, particularly involving research and writing is preferred.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to apply common sense and understanding to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, and diagram form. Ability to deal with problems involving several variables in standardized situations. Ability to apply knowledge and experience to each case using parallels from other cases and deductive reasoning.

While performing the essential functions of this job, the employee will encounter a typical office setting with frequent contact with other staff attorneys, administrative staff, judges, and judicial staff. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet to moderate.

Supervisory Responsibility

This position has no direct supervisory responsibility.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work only. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all required responsibilities, duties, and skills. Similar duties may be added, or the description amended at any time.

Selection Process

Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis at the start of employment.

Only applicants whose backgrounds most closely meet the needs of the position may be invited to interview. Requests for a special accommodation to participate in the interview process should be made when you are contacted to schedule an interview. The Selection Process may include first and/or second round panel interviews. This is a temporary, full-time, exempt position.

EEO and ADA Compliance

The Court of Appeals, Division One is an Equal Employment Opportunity and Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Everyone is encouraged to apply and compete for jobs. If you require assistance at any stage of the application/exam process or during employment, because of an accessibility issue, please contact the Human Resources Department by phone at [phone].

If you have any questions, please contact the Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One Human Resources Office at [phone].