Job Details for Career Law Clerk to U.S. Magistrate Judge
| Court Name/Organization: | Maryland District Court |
| Overview of the Position: | The U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland invites applications for the position of Career Clerk to a U.S. Magistrate Judge with a date to be determined upon confirmation of the Judge but likely between January and April 2025. This is a permanent law clerk position rather than a term or temporary law clerk position. Law Clerks are an integral part of chambers as they consult with the Judge on civil and criminal matters pending before the Court, research legal issues, draft legal memoranda, opinions and orders, prepare pre-hearing bench memoranda that identify issues for the Judge and questions for the parties, and prepare the judge for hearings, settlement conferences, and trials. Law Clerk duties will include reviewing briefs and other case filings; writing bench memoranda; and assisting with legal research related to the drafting of orders and opinions in a wide variety of civil and criminal cases. Administrative duties will include regularly reviewing and then managing the active case docket and scheduling conferences and other matters before the Court. |
| Location: | Baltimore, MD |
| Opening and Closing Dates: | 11/01/2024 - Open Until Filled |
| Appointment Type: | Permanent |
| Classification Level/Grade: | JSP 11 - JSP 14 |
| Salary: | $82,764 - $139,395 |
| Link to Court Careers Information: | https://www.mdd.uscourts.gov/employment-opportunities |
| Link to Job Announcement | |
Position Description
Law Clerk Duties:
- Research and analyze routine, novel, and complex legal issues in diverse areas of federal civil and criminal litigation
- Draft memoranda in civil and criminal cases for the judge’s review
- Prepare bench memoranda and other written materials for motions hearings and trial proceedings, as directed
- Reviews complaints, petitions, motions and pleadings that have been filed to determine issues involved and basis for relief
- Provide information and guidance to the judge on individual cases, as directed
- Maintains liaison between the Court and litigants; corresponds with other court officials and personnel
- Perform extensive computer legal research via Westlaw and/or Lexis
- Monitor significant changes in federal statutes, sentencing guidelines, and Supreme Court and Fourth Circuit precedent
- Review memoranda drafted by staff attorneys
- Compiles statistics and prepares periodic reports, as required
- Identifies problem areas, makes recommendations, and offers solutions, as required
Administrative Duties:
- Regularly monitor dockets of all pending cases and draft orders, as appropriate, for scheduling and discovery-related issues, default proceedings, service deficiencies, and other miscellaneous matters
- Perform periodic case review
- Perform other administrative duties as assigned by the judge and as necessary for the efficient operation of chambers
Qualification
At the time of appointment, the candidate must possess the following minimum requirements:
- Be a graduate of an ABA accredited law school with a strong law school record (top 33% and some law journal experience are preferred, but not required)
- Have a demonstrated commitment to public service or public interest law
- Possess superior research and writing skills
- Be proficient in computer-assisted legal research, Windows, and Word
- Exhibit strong analytical ability
- Demonstrate excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal skills
- Have a track record that demonstrates outstanding organizational skills
Benefits
- Flexible spending accounts for health and dependent care available
- Vacation/annual leave (13-26 days increasing with years of service), sick leave (13 days per year) and paid holidays (11 days)
- Paid parental leave (12 weeks) for the birth or adoption of a child after one year of employment
- Retirement (FERS - Federal Employees Retirement Program) with employer and employee
- contributions as well as immediate matching contributions in the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) 401K style plan
- The U.S. District Court is a qualifying employer for possible Public Service Loan Forgiveness
- Free parking available across the street from the courthouse
- Additional information about the federal Judiciary’s benefits can be found at www.uscourts.gov/careers/benefits
Miscellaneous
Conditions of Employment:
- The applicant must be a U.S. citizen or national or a permanent resident who is seeking citizenship in the United States. A successful candidate for this position is subject to a full fingerprint and background records check and mandatory electronic direct deposit of salary payment.
- An FBI background check is required for all individuals appointed to positions with the Court. New hires are considered "provisional hires" pending the successful completion of the FBI background check.
- Positions in the U.S. Courts are excepted appointments and are not under the Civil Service System. Law clerks are “at will” employees and must adhere to the Code of Conduct of Judicial Employees.
For more information on the U.S. District Court, for the District of Maryland, please visit our website, www.mdd.uscourts.gov.
How To Apply
Qualified applicants should submit one document in PDF format via email to jobs@mdd.uscourts.gov that includes the following:
- A cover letter addressing the qualifications, skills, and experience necessary to perform the job
- A current resume, including a list of at least three professional references
- A law school transcript
- A completed AO78 Form, Application for Federal Judicial Branch of Employment, which can be found on the Employment Opportunities page of the court’s website
- A writing sample of at least five pages, but no more than 20 pages, is required
To ensure first consideration, applications should be received by Nov. 22, 2024. To ensure correct vacancy consideration, include Career Law Clerk in the subject header of the email.
Applications will be reviewed, and interviews scheduled, on a rolling basis. This position will close without notice once a qualified candidate is selected. Due to the volume of applications received, the Court may communicate only with those selected for an interview. The Court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement or to withdraw the job announcement, any of which actions may occur without any prior written notice.
All applications will be reviewed to identify the best qualified candidates.
The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.