Pro Se Law Clerk (Pro Se Staff Attorneys)

United States Courts; New York (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

13 days paid vacation

13 days paid sick leave

Medical coverage with pre-tax premiums

Group Life Insurance

Thrift Savings Plan (TSP)

Federal Employees Retirement System

Credit for service time in other gov't

Job summary

United States Courts seeks two Pro Se Staff Attorneys for FY 2026-2027 in the Southern District of New York. One full-time and one part-time position, with renewal options based on funding.

The role supports the Office of Pro Se Litigation, screening civil pro se complaints and petitions, and drafting orders and memoranda. You will handle a caseload independently, require excellent research and writing abilities, and work collaboratively to stay current with changes in the law and procedures

Qualifications

• Requires a law degree from a recognized school.
• Two years of post-law school relevant legal experience required.
• Strong research and writing abilities; ability to manage a caseload independently.

Responsibilities

• Screen pro se complaints and petitions; draft dispositive orders and screening memoranda.
• Manage an active caseload on the Chief Judge’s sua sponte docket; assess urgency and prioritize tasks.
• Collaborate with colleagues; participate in trainings and contribute to written materials for chambers and court personnel.
• Assist and/or lead trainings; contribute to materials for pro se litigants and the court’s pro se docket.
• Potentially participate in the SDNY Pro Bono Program as applicable.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Caseload management

Teamwork

Education

Juris Doctor (JD)

LLM (advantage)

Job description

Job Details for Pro Se Law Clerk (Pro Se Staff Attorneys)

Court Name/Organization New York Southern District Court

Overview of the Position The Southern District of New York is currently accepting applications for two additive Pro Se Staff Attorney positions (one full-time, one part-time) for FY 2026-2027 (Oct. 1, 2026-Sept. 30, 2027). The positions are subject to yearly renewal by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, with the possibility of becoming permanent, subject to funding. The Pro Se Staff Attorneys work within the Office of Pro Se Litigation, which assists the court in carrying out its statutory obligations under 28 U.S.C. §1915(e)(2) and §1915A to screen civil complaints filed by incarcerated people and those with in forma pauperis status. The Office also provides general support to the District and Magistrate Judges of the court in handling the civil pro se docket. These cases are predominantly civil rights actions, including complaints brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, petitions for writs of habeas corpus. Pro Se Staff Attorneys are expected to maintain an active caseload independently, which requires exceptional research and writing skills and sound judgment.

• The Pro Se Staff Attorneys perform substantive screening of all pro se complaints and petitions in the sua sponte posture (pre-service on defendants), as well as any motions or applications for emergency relief. This screening results in draft dispositive orders and screening memoranda.
• Each Pro Se Staff Attorney manages an active caseload of pro se cases on the Chief Judge’s sua sponte docket. Accordingly, Pro Se Staff Attorneys are expected to exercise sound judgment in assessing incoming cases for relative urgency and prioritize effectively.
• The Office of Pro Se Litigation aims to be a think tank for issues pertinent to pro se litigation. Accordingly, the Pro Se Staff Attorneys function as part of a team, working collaboratively to keep abreast of changes in the law and incorporating changes into the Office’s work and practices.
• The Office of Pro Se Litigation aims to be a resource for all the District and Magistrate judges of the SDNY on legal matters, and to the Clerk’s Office on operational matters. Accordingly, the Pro Se Staff Attorneys rotate to provide general support to chambers and court personnel as questions arise on their pro se dockets.
• The Pro Se Staff Attorneys participate in and/or lead trainings within the courthouse and contribute to written materials to assist the chambers of the District and Magistrate Judges and pro se litigants.
• Incoming Pro Se Staff Attorneys may be incorporated into the management of the SDNY’s Pro Bono Program, which connects pro se litigants with pro bono attorneys in the SDNY bar.

Qualifications

To qualify for the position of Pro Se Staff Attorney, an individual must be a graduate from a law school of recognized standing. Competitive applicants will have at least two years of post-law school relevant legal experience. This may include working as a pro se or death penalty law clerk or other experience in areas of legal work that come before the pro se law clerk programs, particularly civil rights claims brought under Section 1983.

Applicants should highlight one or more of the following where applicable:

• 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
• Proficiency in legal studies that, in the opinion of the appointing judge, is the equivalent of one of the above. Some examples of criteria that are considered to be acceptable as equivalent include, but are not limited to:
  • Publication of a noteworthy article in a law school student publication or other scholarly publication;
  • Special high-level honors for academic excellence in law school, such as election to the Order of the Coif;
  • Winning of a moot court competition or membership on a moot court team that represents the law school in competition with other law schools;
  • Participation in the legal aid or other law school clinical program sanctioned by the law school;* or
  • Summer experience as a law clerk to a state or local judge or law clerk experience on a continuing basis in a private firm while attending school (i.e., working one's way through college).*

(*To receive credit, participation and experience could not have been for academic credit.)

Applicants must have demonstrated exceptional research and writing abilities; experience working collaboratively in a team and/or part of an institution; and experience managing a caseload independently or other experience that requires meeting competing deadlines and evaluating relative urgency. Experience in a federal judicial clerkship highly desired.

Legal Work Experience: Legal work 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 in military service may be credited, on a month-for-month basis whether before or after graduation, but not to exceed one year if before graduation

Employee Benefits

• During the first three years of full-time employment, employees receive 13 days of paid vacation. Thereafter, between 20 and 26 days of paid vacation are provided, depending upon the length of federal service.
• Employees receive 13 days of paid sick leave (unlimited accumulation) and twelve paid federal holidays a year.
• Eligible for medical coverage with pre-tax employee premiums and flexible benefits program for health care, dependent care, and commuter/parking expenses.
• Eligible for Group Life Insurance, Long Term Disability, and Long-Term Care coverage.
• Participation in the Thrift Savings Plan (similar to 401K plan) with employer matching contributions.
• Participation in the Federal Employees Retirement System
• Creditable service time in other federal agencies or the military will be added to judiciary employment.
• For more information on benefits, you may visit the U.S. Courts website .

Applicants must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents seeking U.S. citizenship. Employees of the U.S. District Court are not included in the government’s Civil Service classification and are at-will employees. The successful candidate for this position is subject to a background check.

Judicial employees are required to adhere to the court’s code of conduct, available for public review .

This position is subject to mandatory electronic funds transfer for payment of net pay.

The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement, or to withdraw the announcement, without prior written or other notice.

The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.