Pro Se Law Clerk

U.S.-Courts,-Southern-District-of-Texas; Houston (TX); Hybrid; USD 86,000 - 189,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas in Houston is seeking a Temporary Pro Se Law Clerk/Staff Attorney to assist the court with prisoner petitions, complaints, and related matters.

The role involves drafting orders and recommendations, legal research, and liaison work with other court officials. The appointee should be detail-oriented with strong legal research and writing skills and the ability to work with multiple judges.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school.
• Strong research and writing abilities.
• Excellent analytical and issue-spotting skills.
• Ability to work with federal court processes and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Perform substantive screening of prisoner petitions and motions.
• Draft recommendations and orders for the Court’s signature.
• Review complaints and pleadings for relief and issues.
• Conduct legal research to assist in preparing opinions.
• Communicate with court officials and litigants as needed.
• Evaluate procedures for efficiency and improvements.
• Monitor docket progress and advise the Court when action is required.
• Prepare reports reflecting case status and flow.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Analytical skills

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Job description

The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas is accepting applications for a Temporary Pro Se Law Clerk/Staff Attorney position. Based on current data, funding for the position, which is reviewed annually and is based on the number of case filings, will expire on September 30, 2028 if not renewed.

The Temporary Pro Se Law Clerk/Staff Attorney is appointed by the Chief Judge but performs duties and responsibilities for all District Judges as assigned. The Temporary Pro Se Law Clerk/Staff Attorney provides legal advice and assistance to the court in connection with prisoner petitions and complaints. This position does not involve representing clients or providing legal advice to pro se litigants. Ethical considerations prohibit the lawyer employed in this position from practicing law in any capacity for compensation outside or in addition to work for the court.

This position is located in the Houston division. Some telework is permitted.

Salary Range: $86,123 - $188,573 (JSP 11 - 14). Salary commensurate with qualifications.

• Performs substantive screening after filing of prisoner and inmate petitions and motions, including state habeas corpus petitions, immigration habeas petitions, motions to vacate sentence, and civil rights complaints.
• Drafts appropriate recommendations and orders for the Court’s signature.
• Reviews all complaints, petitions, and pleadings that have been filed to determine issues involved and basis for relief.
• Performs research, as required, to assist the Court in preparing comprehensive opinions.
• Maintains liaison between the Court and litigants. Corresponds with other officials, such as U.S. Attorney and State Attorney General’s Office, as required.
• Evaluates present procedures to determine new innovations for increasing the effectiveness in handling complaints, petitions, and pleadings.
• Reviews the docket of pending prisoner and inmate litigation to assure the proper progress of such cases and advises the Court of those cases where action by the Court is appropriate.
• Compiles statistics and prepares periodic reports, as required, that reflect the status and flow of cases.
• Identifies problem areas, makes recommendations, and offers solutions, as required by the Court, Administrative Office, and other officials.
• Keeps abreast of changes in the law to aid the Court in adjusting to new legislation and case law in the pro se area.
• Provides information, guidance, and advice to judges, magistrates, and other personnel working in the pro se area. Advises appropriate personnel on the status of particular cases.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

The successful applicant will be a detail-oriented, organized self-starter who simplifies complex ideas with a positive, professional attitude. Must have excellent legal research, analytical and writing skills along with interpersonal skills well matched for working closely with U.S. District Judges and court personnel.

Previous clerkship experience, or work as a pro se or death penalty law clerk, is preferred.

To qualify for the position of Pro Se Law Clerk, the applicant 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 third of the law school class 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,
• Graduation from such a school with an LLM degree, or
• Demonstrated proficiency in legal studies which in the opinion of the court is the equivalent of one of the above.

To qualify for JSP 12, JSP 13 and JSP 14 you must be admitted to the bar and have the following number of years of legal experience: one year for JSP 12; two years for JSP 13; and three years for JSP 14.

The successful applicant must be a U.S. citizen or able to prove that he/she is currently seeking U.S. citizenship. Participation in the interview process is at the applicant’s own expense. Applicants may be asked to take a proficiency test. The Court will only communicate with those qualified applicants who are selected for an interview. If you are not notified, another applicant was selected.

Employees of the United States Courts are not included in the government’s Civil Service classification. They are, however, entitled to the same benefits as other federal government employees. Employees who work for the Court are considered "at-will" and work at the pleasure of the Court. As a condition of employment, successful applicants will be subject to a background check, credit check and/or records check with law enforcement agencies. The Court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this announcement, withdraw the announcement, or fill the position at any time before the closing date, any of which may occur without prior written notice.