Staff Attorney

NACBA; Fort Worth (TX); On-site; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas is seeking a Staff Attorney/Pro Se Law Clerk to assist judges with reviewing motions and managing prisoner cases. Applicants must have a law degree and bar membership, with strong legal research and writing skills. Benefits include participation in federal employee programs like retirement and health benefits.

Benefits

Participation in Federal Employees’ Retirement System

Federal Employees’ Health Benefits

Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance

Thrift Savings Plan

11 paid federal holidays

Qualifications

• Law school graduate and member of state bar required.
• Experience as a judicial law clerk preferred.
• Extensive legal research and writing experience required.

Responsibilities

• Reviewing motions and petitions.
• Assisting judges with case management.
• Drafting recommendations and orders.

Skills

Legal research

Legal writing

Education

Law degree

Job description

Position Overview:

The United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas is recruiting for the position of Staff Attorney/Pro Se Law Clerk. The responsibilities of this position include but are not limited to: reviewing motions to proceed in forma pauperis; screening prisoner petitions and motions, motions to vacate sentence, and civil rights complaints; and assisting judges with all aspects of prisoner case management. The position is also responsible for drafting appropriate recommendations and orders for judge approval. Further, the position requires the selected candidate to work on cases for multiple judges.

How to Apply

Interested applicants must submit the following items:

1. A cover letter.

2. A current resume and law school transcript.

3. Two writing samples that are five to fifteen pages in length each.

Qualifications:

To qualify, an applicant must be a law school graduate and a member of a state bar. Experience as a judicial law clerk is preferred. Extensive experience performing legal research and writing is required.

Benefits:

The United States District Court falls within the Judicial Branch of the U.S. Government. Policy for the Judicial Branch is determined by the Judicial Conference of the United States. Benefits include participation in the Federal Employees’ Retirement System which contributes to the Social Security Retirement Program, Federal Employees’ Health Benefits, Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance, Thrifts Savings Plan (like a 401(k) plan, with employer matching contributions), 11 paid federal holidays and annual/sick leave accrual. An overview of Federal Judiciary benefits is accessible at: http://www.uscourts.gov/careers/benefits

Other:

Employees of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas are excepted service appointments. Employees are considered at will and are not covered by federal civil service classifications or regulations. Immigration law requires public employers to hire individuals who are lawful, permanent residents (i.e., green card holder) seeking U.S. citizenship. Employees must adhere to the Judiciary Code of Ethics and Conduct.

Due to the anticipated high volume of applications, the Court will only communicate with applicants who will be considered for interviews. Applicants selected for interviews must travel at their own expense, and relocation expenses will not be reimbursed.

Candidates who are selected for employment in the judiciary must successfully pass a background check or investigation as a condition of employment. The background check will include, at a minimum, an FBI fingerprint check. Full field investigations will be conducted on positions that are classified as high-sensitive. Once employed, the selected candidate may be subject to periodic background investigation updates.

The Court is an Equal Opportunity Employer:

The Court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement, to withdraw the announcement, or to fill the position sooner than the closing date without prior notice. The U.S. District Court requires employees to adhere to a Code of Ethics and Conduct. This court provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and interviewing process, please notify the local human resources representative. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodations will be made on a case-by-case basis.