Term Law Clerk

United States Courts; Lincoln (NE); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision, and life

Student loan forgiveness

Paid federal holidays

Parking

On-site fitness facility

Job summary

U.S. District Court in Lincoln, Nebraska seeks a chambers term law clerk for a two- to four-year appointment starting Sept. 7, 2027.

Outstanding academic credentials (top 33% rank; top 10% preferred), plus strong research and writing abilities, are required. The successful candidate will assist a federal judge by drafting recommendations and orders, reviewing filings, performing legal research, and coordinating with court personnel. Eligibility includes U.S.

Qualifications

• Must be a law school graduate from an ABA- or AALS-approved school with top academic standing.
• Top 33% of class required; top 10% preferred or equivalent achievements.
• Experience or demonstrated proficiency in legal studies deemed equivalent by the Judge.

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance to the Judge on civil and criminal matters and handle special projects.
• Draft recommendations and orders for the Court’s signature.
• Review complaints, petitions, motions, and pleadings to determine relief.
• Conduct legal research as required.
• Maintain liaison with Court personnel and litigants.
• Monitor the docket and inform the Court of progress and needs.

Skills

Legal research

Strong writing

Analytical thinking

Academic excellence

Education

Top 10% law school class

Law review/editorial board

LL.M. degree (optional)

Tools

None

Job description

Overview of the Position U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Jacqueline M. DeLuca in Lincoln, Nebraska, is seeking a chambers term law clerk to complete a two to four-year term, beginning on Sept. 7, 2027. Excellent academic (top 33% graduating law school class, top 10% preferred), research, and writing skills required.

Duties include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Provide information, guidance, and advice to the Judge in connection with pending civil and criminal litigation and manage special projects and other administrative duties for the Judge as needed.
• Draft appropriate recommendations and orders for the Court’s signature.
• Review complaints, petitions, motions, and pleadings that have been filed to determine issues involved and basis for relief.
• Perform research as required.
• Maintain liaison between the Court and litigants; correspond with other Court officials and personnel.
• Review docket of pending litigation to assure proper progress. Keep Court advised of those cases where action by the Court is appropriate.

Qualifications

To qualify for the position of law clerk on the personal staff of a federal judge, a person 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 33% of the law school class (top 10% preferred) 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 Judge is the equivalent of one of the above.

Some examples of criteria that are acceptable as equivalent include:

• 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;
• 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 a law school clinical program sanctioned by the law school. To receive credit, participation and experience could not have been for academic credit; 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)

Employee Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, and life
• Health and dependent reimbursement accounts
• Student loan forgiveness
• Paid federal holidays
• Parking
• On-site fitness facility

Visit the U.S. Courtswebsite to learn more.

Conditions of Employment

• Applicants must be a U.S. citizen or must be a lawful permanent resident (i.e., green card holder) seeking U.S. citizenship or must complete an affidavit indicating their intent to apply for citizenship when they become eligible to do so.
• Appointment to this position is contingent upon successful completion of a background check, including fingerprint and criminal record checks.
• Employment will be provisional and contingent upon the satisfactory completion of the required background investigation. Retention depends upon a favorable suitability determination.
• Employees are subject to mandatory electronic funds transfer.
• Employees are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees.

The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.