Pro Se Law Clerk

United States Courts; Louisville (KY); Hybrid; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation

Paid sick leave

Public holidays

Retirement plan

Health insurance

Job summary

United States Courts is seeking a Pro Se Law Clerk in the Western District of Kentucky. The role reviews prisoner complaints and petitions, and prepares dispositive and non-dispositive recommendations under supervision. The preferred duty station is Louisville with possible telework.

Funding beyond Dec. 31, 2028 depends on future filings. The clerk’s office handles legal reviews, research, and orders for pro se cases, with strong emphasis on writing, analysis, and customer service to judges and

Qualifications

• ABA-accredited law degree required.
• Bar membership preferred.
• Superior writing skills essential for pro se litigation.
• Ability to analyze complex legal issues.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Outlook.

Responsibilities

• Review prisoner petitions and motions after filing.
• Draft dispositive and non-dispositive orders and recommendations.
• Research case law and write orders for judicial review.
• Provide information to judges and court staff on pro se issues.
• Identify procedural improvements in pro se cases.
• Handle case management issues related to pro se matters.

Skills

Legal research

Strong writing skills

Microsoft Word

Outlook

Education

ABA-accredited law degree

Tools

Microsoft Word

Outlook

Job description

Overview of the Position The Pro Se Law Clerk reviews prisoner complaints and petitions, and prepares dispositive and non-dispositive recommendations and orders under the supervision of the Court.

This position is located in the Clerk’s Office of the U.S. District Court, Western District of Kentucky. Preferred duty station is Louisville, but may be Owensboro, Bowling Green, or Paducah if necessary. Generous telework is available. Funding for the position beyond Dec. 31, 2028, is contingent on future Pro Se and prisoner case filings.

Representative Duties

• Perform substantive legal review after filing of all prisoner petitions and motions, including state habeas corpus petitions, motions to vacate sentence, and civil rights complaints.
• Research case law and draft appropriate orders and opinions for judicial review.
• Provide information to all judges and court staff on legal issues unique to pro se cases.
• Evaluate present procedures to identify improvements in handling and processing pro se cases.
• Assist the clerk’s office in resolving procedural and case management issues related to pro se cases.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Applicant must be a graduate from an ABA accredited law school of recognized standing. Preferred qualifications include superior writing skills and experience in prisoner litigation. Bar membership is also strongly preferred. Incumbent must have the ability to analyze complex legal issues and understand a wide range of legal concepts, principles, and practices as they relate to pro se litigation; write and perform legal research accurately and expeditiously; communicate complex issues in simple terms; set priorities; and manage work with limited supervision. Proficiency in Microsoft Word and Outlook required.

The list below shows the number of years of legal work experience required to qualify for appointment as a law clerk at the applicable JSP grade levels. Please note that appointment toJSP 12 or above requires that the candidate be a member of the bar of a state, territory, or federal court of general jurisdiction. For appointment at the JSP 14 level, at least two of the three required years of legal work experience must have been served in the federal judiciary as a chambers law clerk, staff attorney, pro se law clerk, bankruptcy appellate panel law clerk, or death penalty law clerk.

• JSP Grade 11: Zero years of legal work experience. Bar membership not required.
• JSP Grade 12:One year of legalwork experience. Barmembershiprequired.
• JSP Grade 13:Two years of legalwork experience. Barmembershiprequired.
• JSP Grade 14:Three years of legalwork experience. Barmembershiprequired.

Legal experience is progressively responsible experience in the practice of law, in legal research, legal administration, or equivalent experience received after graduation from law school. Major or substantial legal activities while on military duty may be credited on a month-for-month basis whether before or after graduation, but not to exceed one year if before graduation from law school.

Candidate must also demonstrate:

• Excellent organizational skills and experience handling multiple tasks at once
• Superior customer service skills and excellent oral and written communications skills
• Demonstrated ability to work with a variety of automated systems
• Ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with customers at all levels

Employee Benefits

For more information the benefits available to you as an employee of the federal judiciary, pleasereview the extensive benefits section of the U.S. Courts website .

Benefits available include:

• 13 days paid vacation per year for the first three years of full-time employment. Thereafter, 20 to26 days per year dependent upon length of federal service
• 13 days of paid sick leave per year (unlimited accumulation)
• A minimum of 11 paid holidays per year
• Federal Employees Retirement System and Thrift Savings Plan
• Credit for prior federal government service
• Employee Assistance Program
• On-site Federal Fitness Center if stationed in Louisville
• Optional Health, Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance Programs
• Optional Flexible Spending, Health Savings, and other Pre-tax Accounts for HealthCare, Child Care, Vision and Dental, and Commuter and Parking Expenses

Information for Applicants

• This position is regular and full-time.
• Employees of the U.S. District Court are not covered by the Office of PersonnelManagement’s civil service classification system or regulations, and are considered “atwill” employees.
• Applicant must be a U.S. citizen oraperson who owes allegiance to the United Statesor is in the U.S. under certain legal status and actively seeking citizenship. Learn moreabout citizenship requirements here .
• Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for payroll deposit is required.
• As a condition of employment, an FBI Background Investigation is required.
• We will not pay relocation or interview travel expenses.
• Only the most qualified applicants will be interviewed.
• The Court reserves the right to withdraw or to modify the conditions of this jobannouncement or to fill the position earlier than the closing date, any of which mayoccur without written notice.

For additional information on the U.S. District Court, visit our website .

The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.