Pro Se Law Clerk

United States Courts; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work schedule

Transportation subsidy

Pre-tax programs (health, dependent)

Job summary

The United States Courts is seeking a Pro Se Law Clerk for the Southern District of California. The role involves substantive screening of civil rights complaints and habeas petitions filed by unrepresented prisoners, with responsibilities including legal research and preparing opinions and orders.

The incumbent works independently and as part of a team, reviewing docket activity, maintaining records, advising staff, and performing related duties.

Qualifications

• Must be a law school graduate (JD).
• Prior pro se law clerk, staff attorney, judicial clerkship, or externship experience preferred but not required.
• Limited telework may be considered for ideal candidates with remote credentials and relevant experience.

Responsibilities

• Substantively screen civil rights complaints and habeas corpus petitions filed by prisoners without counsel.
• Conduct legal research and draft opinions/orders with the Court.
• Assist chambers and clerk’s office staff; monitor prisoner case docket activity and maintain case records/statistics.
• Advise on workflow priorities and perform other administrative duties as required.

Skills

Legal research

Strong written communication

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

Tools

Case management systems

Job description

Overview of the Position The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California seeks applicants for the position of a Pro Se Law Clerk.

The Pro Se Law Clerk performs substantive screening of civil rights complaints and habeas corpus petitions filed by prisoners not represented by counsel, conducts research, and assists the entire Court in preparing opinions and orders in these cases. The Pro Se Law Clerk works independently and as part of a team, must review and monitor prisoner case docket activity to ensure proper progression, maintain internal case review records and statistics, prioritize work-flow, advise chambers’ and clerk’s office staff, and perform other administrative duties as required. The Pro Se Law Clerk reports to the judge supervising the Pro Se Law Clerk program and the Supervisory Pro Se Law Clerk.

Qualifications

To qualify for the position of Pro Se Law Clerk, an individual must be a law school graduate. Prior pro se law clerk, staff attorney, judicial clerkship, or judicial externship experience preferred, but not required. While the Court prefers candidates to reside in-district, limited telework for the ideal candidate with proven remote credentials and highly relevant experience may be considered.

Employee Benefits

Salary is just one component of the comprehensive compensation package offered by the Federal Court.

Federal court employees are eligible for a full range of benefits that include:

• 13-26 days of annual leave
• 13 days of sick leave
• 11 paid holidays per year
• a flexible work schedule
• immediate matching Thrift Savings Plan
• pre-tax programs (health, dependent care and transportation)
• insurance plans (i.e., health, life, disability, and long term care)
• car-pooling options
• a transportation subsidy

The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.