University of MissouriMU School of Law

Career Development

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Most legal employers are reputable and reliable, but the Career Development Office is not in a position to guarantee the professional standing of individual law firms, attorneys, companies or other employers posting position notices. Applicants should research potential employers as part of the job search process.

  • 11/19/09: The District Court of Nebraska, Fourth Judicial District, seeks a Judicial Law Clerk to begin work on September 13, 2010. This is a 24-month term appointment. Monthly salary range: $3,238. Duties and responsibilities: Under the direction of the Deputy Court Administrator and the District Court Research Director, the Law Clerk performs legal research for the District Judges of the Fourth Judicial District, as well as for the Court Administrator. The Law Clerk prepares written legal memoranda; drafts, edits, and proofreads legal correspondence; assists in maintaining the district court library; and performs related assigned duties under direction of the district court. The Law Clerk works directly with all District Court Judges. Qualifications: Admitted to practice law in Nebraska or eligible after the July 2010 bar exam. Required skills and abilities: Excellent research and writing skills, time-management skills, and ability to understand and manage complex factual and legal issues. Applicants must have experience using electronic resources such as Westlaw, Lexis, and the Internet for legal research and have the ability to utilize word processing skills to prepare work product. Applicants must have the ability to work cooperatively with judges, court administrator, court personnel, attorneys and other governmental offices and agencies. Interested qualified applicants should send a cover letter, resume, writing sample (e.g. a memo or brief), and 3 references (letters of reference are accepted but not required) to Douglas County Law Library, Room H07,1701 Farnam Street, Omaha, NE 68183-0001, Attn: Judicial Law Clerk Committee; (402) 444-3927 (fax); or email Ann Borer at aborer@dc4dc.com. Call Ms. Borer at (402) 444-7174 with questions. See www.dc4dc.com for information about the 4th District Court of Nebraska. Notice to applicants: Please note that portions of resume and application material may be deemed a public record pursuant to Neb. Rev. Stat. § 84-712, and for that reason may be made available to the public for viewing. Drug screening and criminal background check are required. Application deadline: December 23, 2009
  • 11/19/09: Haynes and Boone, LLP of Dallas seeks a Conflict Analyst II. The Conflict Analyst will be responsible for analyzing new business and lateral hires for conflicts of interest and advising attorneys with regards to any potential conflicts of interest that may be identified. This position will also be responsible for assisting attorneys with resolution of potential conflicts of interest, including drafting waivers, ethical walls, and database maintenance. Essential Duties: 1) Analyze conflict reports for all new business submitted by firm attorneys; 2) Analyze conflict reports for incoming attorneys and staff; 3) Assist attorneys with drafting conflict waiver letters; 4) Draft ethical walls; 5) Perform basic database maintenance to ensure accuracy of data; 6) Assist the Director of Conflicts and Records with projects as necessary. Other Duties: 1) Perform legal research on various ethics issues; 2) Act as backup to the Director of Conflicts and Records with regard to orientation of lateral hires; 3) Perform related duties as assigned. Qualifications: A strong understanding of the ABA Model Rules of Professional Conduct and the Ethics rules of the State of Texas is required. Familiarity with the ethics rules of any jurisdictions in which the firm maintains an office is strongly preferred. A general understanding of law firm or professional services environment required. Familiarity with conflicts of interest reporting and analysis required. Skills: 1) Strong client service skills; 2) Ability to research, analyze, and synthesize information; 3) Ability to work with only general direction, in areas of responsibility; 4) Strong oral and written communication skills, and listening and interpersonal skills; 5) Approachable, collaborative, and team-oriented; 6) Demonstrated judgment, tact, candor, and resourcefulness; 7) Strong initiative and attention to detail; 8) Able to work effectively with a diverse group of individuals with strong opinions and varying professional development priorities and goals; 9) Excellent planning and organizational skills, ability to follow-up and strong follow through; 10) Experience with legal research and writing required; 11) Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (especially Excel) and Adobe Acrobat is required; 12) Experience with Elite is preferred. A Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university required; JD from an ABA-accredited law school is strongly preferred. To apply, send cover letter and resume to lana.kaluzhsky@haynesboone.com.
  • 11/19/09: JAMS International ADR Center has an opening for a 3-month internship position in Rome to provide general support to its International Division. In particular, JAMS is looking for a reliable and proactive person, knowledgeable in ADR and with superior writing skills, to work with a team of 3 people, under Professor Giuseppe De Palo’s supervision, to: 1) help the international team draft EU/World Bank-funded tender proposals; 2) assist in the organization of international projects’ events (workshop, training courses and conferences); and 30 conduct research in the field of ADR. Current activities of the International Division are detailed on www.adrcenter.com/international. The internship will begin on January 18, 2010 and end on April 16, 2010. To help defray costs, JAMS International ADR Center is offering a scholarship of 500 Euro/ month. The deadline for applying is December 1, 2009. CVs can be sent to Elena Ciancio’s attention, and she will respond no later than December 11, 2009: Elena Ciancio, International Division Coordinator, JAMS International ADR Center , Via del Babuino 114, 00187, Rome, Italy; eciancio@jamsadrcenter.com
  • 11/18/09: The United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois is seeking a temporary chambers law clerk to Chief United States District Judge David R. Herndon. Salary: $56,411. This is a temporary position for 1 year and 1 day. Incumbent provides legal support to Chief Judge Herndon by conducting legal research and preparing legal documents such as orders, memoranda, and draft opinions. Incumbent works primarily on civil cases. Summary of Representative Duties and Responsibilities: 1) Review legal submissions, performs legal research, and drafts legal documents addressing a wide assortment of issues arising in civil litigation; 2) Perform case management through the Case Management/Electronic Case Filing (CM/ECF) system; 3) Perform administrative office functions such as editing, proofreading, telephone communications, written correspondence, and scheduling. To qualify for the position of temporary chambers law clerk, applicant 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 1 or more of the following attributes: 1) Standing within the upper 33% of the law school class from a law school on the approved list of either the ABA or the AALS; 2) Experience on the editorial board of a law review of such a school; 3) Graduation from such a school with an LLM degree; or 4) Demonstrated proficiency in legal studies which, in the opinion of the judge, is the equivalent of 1 of the above. Applicants must also have 1) Exceptional legal research skills/ proficient with Westlaw; 2) Exceptional legal writing skills/proficient with WordPerfect; 3) Exceptional ability to communicate, articulate, and relate to coworkers and others with professionalism and integrity’ 4) Self-motivation and the ability to manage multiple tasks and meet competing deadlines. Familiarity with the federal judicial system’s electronic case filing system (CM/ECF) is preferred. Prior experience in a legal office or courthouse environment is preferred. Prior to appointment, the selectee considered for this position is required to undergo an FBI Background Check and Investigation. The selectee may then be appointed provisionally, and retention will depend upon a favorable suitability Procedures for Applying: Submit cover letter, AO 78 Application for Judicial Branch Federal Employment (located at www.ilsd.uscourts.gov), resume with 3 references and writing sample to United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois, Attn: Human Resources Specialist –Confidential, 750 Missouri Avenue, East St. Louis, Illinois 62201-2954. Please do not email or fax application materials. Applications must be received by November 27, 2009. Incomplete and late application materials will not be considered. Applicants must be United States citizens or eligible to work in the United States. Selection will be made consistent with the provisions of the Equal Opportunity Plan adopted by the United States District Court for the Southern District of Illinois. Applicants selected for interviews must travel at their own expense, and relocation expenses will not be reimbursed.
  • 11/9/09: The Office of Regional Counsel, United States Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 (Dallas, TX), is seeking to hire an attorney with a minimum 0-3 years of experience with environmental statutes and/or general litigation, at the GS-11 or GS-12 level ($40,645-76,627) depending upon experience and qualifications. The Office of Regional Counsel has a fast-paced, high-profile practice, providing legal interpretations and advice in all areas of environmental law, representing the Region in defensive litigation, Superfund cases, and civil enforcement of federal environmental laws and regulations. The selected attorney will be involved in civil enforcement of federal environmental laws and regulations and advising senior management on issues pertaining to Federal Indian law. Applicants must be citizens of the United States and licensed attorneys. Please submit resume and cover letter to Harrison.ben@epa.gov. All applications should be received no later than November 25, 2009.
  • 11/4/09: The Iowa District Court, 4th Judicial District in Council Bluffs is currently accepting applications for 2 judicial clerkship positions. The clerkship term is for 1 year, commencing August 2010. Duties include working directly with all District Judges and Associate Judges; performing legal research; drafting memoranda, decisions, findings and orders; and other duties as assigned. Salary: approximately $43,800; includes a full range of State of Iowa benefits. The judges will be conducting interviews and extending offers after the first of the year. Please send cover letter, resume, unofficial transcript and writing sample by December 1, 2009, to Hon. Charles L. Smith, Chief Judge, 4th Judicial District, P.O. Box 935, Council Bluffs, IA 51502
  • 11/4/09: The Illinois Office of the Secretary of State, Department of Personnel is seeking an exceptional candidate to fill a Legal Advisor I position in its Administrative Hearings Department, Mt. Vernon office. Salary: $42,000, plus benefits (non-negotiable). Job responsibilities include: 1) advising on legal issues concerning administrative policy and general DUI law; 2) interpreting driving records; conducting formal driver’s license hearings; 3) drafting decisions as to the dispositions of Petitioner’s request for driving relief; 4) utilizing office computer to prepare formal orders consisting of Findings of Fact in the case, Conclusions of Law and Recommendation for driving relief; 6) ruling on admissibility and relevance of evidence; 7) examining witnesses; and 8) performing legal research. To be considered for this position, applicants must currently be licensed to practice law in Illinois and possess a valid IL driver’s license. Applicants must possess adequate computer knowledge and excellent typing skills. Eligibility may be conferred only to those who submit valid Secretary of State employment applications. Applications may be obtained by contacting the Department of Personnel or online at http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/publications/pdf_publications/per_d81.pdf. Completed applications must be received no later than November 20, 2009 at the Springfield, IL address: Office of the Secretary of State, Department of Personnel, Room 196 Howlett Building, Springfield, IL 62756
  • 11/3/09: Court of Appeals of Indiana seeks clerks: Each judge of the Court of Appeals of Indiana employs up to 3 judicial law clerks; one is usually a senior law clerk with several years of experience. Clerks perform a variety of tasks, from conducting legal research to drafting memoranda, bench briefs, and case synopses. Court of Appeals clerkships are a rewarding way to participate in the life of the Court and to learn about and gain experience in appellate practice in Indiana. These positions are in Indianapolis. Each Court of Appeals judge makes his/her own decisions on hiring law clerks. Typically, applications for judicial clerkship include the following materials: 1) cover letter; 2) biographical resume; 3) transcript of grades achieved in law school, including, if available, information about class standing; 4) copy of any relevant scholarly writing; 5) at least one letter of recommendation from a faculty member with whom the student has studied or a letter of recommendation from a clerkship committee, or both. Letters of recommendation may be sent separately from the letter of application; and 6) statement of when the applicant will be available for a personal interview in Indianapolis. Applicants who wish to apply to any member of the court may forward their applications to the Court Administrator. Applicants who wish to apply to an individual judge may do so by mailing one copy of an application to the judge's address. The addresses for the court administrator and the individual judges can be found at: http://www.in.gov/judiciary/appeals/jobs.html. Application deadline: November 29, 2009.
  • 10/30/09: The Office of the Appellate Defender (OAD) is a non-profit indigent criminal defense organization of 18 lawyers devoted to providing high-quality, client-centered representation to indigent defendants primarily in criminal appeals in state court and collateral proceedings in state and federal court. OAD is a unique hybrid—part law firm, part training program—that has built a national reputation for attracting outstanding lawyers and finding innovative and economical ways to serve its indigent clients. OAD offers 2-year staff attorney positions, with a possibility for a third year, to lawyers who have demonstrated top-level skills in legal research and writing, as well as a commitment to providing legal services to the indigent. The office attracts attorneys who have clerked in state and federal courts, attorney with non-judicial post-graduate experience, and law graduates straight out of law school. Salary for OAD staff attorneys is based on years of experience, and it currently starts at $50,000 for law graduates. Strong preference will be given to applications received by December 15; applications received after that date may not be considered. Submit 1) cover letter that details applicant’s interest in OAD and skills/experience that make the applicant a strong candidate; 2) resume; 3) writing sample by mail only to Carolyn Wilson, Administrative Specialist, Office of the Appellate Defender, 11 Park Place, Suite 1601, New York, NY 10007. For more information, visit www.appellatedefender.org
  • 10/30/09: The 14th Court of Appeals, Houston, TX, is accepting applications for the position of Staff Attorney. The position performs highly advanced attorney work with in-depth analysis and preparation of legal memoranda; interprets laws and regulations; provides legal advice and counsel. The Staff Attorney works with direction from the justices with opportunity to use initiative and mature judgment. Essential job functions: 1) Conducts manual and computer assisted legal research; analyzes statutes, judicial decisions, and other legal sources; 2) Prepares memoranda and proposed orders and opinions in civil and criminal appeals; 3) Performs research on special problems, and administrative matters, screening for jurisdictional defects, preparing recommendations and obtaining rulings on motions. Applicants must have the ability to work independently; 4) Participates in pre- and post-submission conferences; 5) Performs related work as assigned. Minimum Qualifications; 1) License to practice law in the State of Texas; 2) Knowledge of legal principles in civil and criminal law; 3) Excellent legal research and writing skills; 4) Knowledge of Texas Rules of Appellate Procedure, Uniform System of Citation, and Texas Rules of Form; 5) Ability to identify, analyze, and present issues, both orally and in writing; 6) Proficiency in computer research and word processing skills; 7) Familiarity and working knowledge of WordPerfect and Word 2007; 8) Ability to prepare, plan, and organize work and to communicate clearly and effectively. Preferred Qualifications: 1) Previous appellate court experience as a law clerk or staff attorney; 2) At least 2 years as a practicing attorney; 3) Excellent writing skills. Applicant must submit 1) State Job Application form (http://www.twc.state.tx.us); 2) copies of law school transcripts; 3) list of 3 references; and 4) 5-page writing sample to Nina R. Indelicato, Chief Staff Attorney, Fourteenth Court of Appeals, 1307 San Jacinto, 11th Floor, Houston, TX 77002. In addition to the State Job Application, a resume may also be submitted. Application deadline: November 27, 2009
  • 10/30/09: Mid-sized San Antonio medical malpractice defense firm has immediate opening for an associate attorney. The firm’s well-established clientele consists of many hospitals and physicians. The position offers competitive pay, benefits and a great working atmosphere. Candidates should have 0- 5 years of experience and have placed reasonably high in their law school class. Prior med mal experience is not required but is a definite plus. Send resume and law school transcript to Evans & Rowe, Attn: Julie McCoy, 10101 Reunion Place, Suite 900, San Antonio, TX 78216; (210) 340-6664 (fax); jmccoy@evans-rowe.com. All applications held in the strictest of confidence. Application deadline: November 30, 2009
  • 10/30/09: The Cleveland Clinic, in partnership with Case Western Reserve University, University Hospitals Case Medical Center, MetroHealth Medical Center, and the Louis Stokes Cleveland Veterans Administration Medical Center, invites applications to the Cleveland Fellowship in Advanced Bioethics. Participants will have the opportunity to obtain a Master’s degree in Bioethics from Case Western Reserve University, comprehensive clinical ethics consultation experience, and research experience as part of this 2-year fellowship. Applications will be considered from professionals with terminal post-graduate degrees in medicine, philosophy, nursing, social work, religious studies, law, or other fields related to the practice of clinical and academic bioethics. The next fellowship class begins July 1, 2010. The fellowship offers a $40,000 stipend, plus benefits. Application deadline: December 15, 2009. Further information and application guidelines are available at www.clevelandclinic.org/bioethics or email adamsm@ccf.org
  • 10/30/09: Sandbote, Waggoner & Zopolsky, P.C., an AV-rated law firm located in Mockingbird Station, TX, seeks a licensed, full-time attorney with 0- 5 years of experience in the areas of commercial litigation and/or insurance defense. Immediate responsibilities will include discovery, research, and writing. The attorney will work closely with and under the supervision of partners, and take on additional responsibilities as soon as practicable, including hearings, depositions, case management, and trial. Very strong writing skills and meticulous attention to detail are absolute necessities. Please forward a cover letter summarizing experience, resume, and transcript if licensed less than 1 year to jzopolsky@sandbotelaw.com. Application deadline: December 19, 2009
  • 10/5/09: The Office of the Webster County Attorney is accepting applications for a full-time Assistant County Attorney. This position is in Fort Dodge, IA. Requirements include graduation from an accredited law school and license to practice law in Iowa. Salary $35,000-50,000 depending on experience. Send cover letter and resume to Pamela Passow, Webster County Attorney’s Office, 702 1st Avenue S., Fort Dodge, IA 50501; (515) 573-1468 (fax), ppassow@webstercountyia.org. Position will remain open until filled.
  • 9/30/09: Statewide non-profit seeks Staff Attorney in its Birmingham office to provide legal assistance in the areas of consumer law, housing law, employment law, elder law, family law, public benefits, probate, and other civil matters. Admission to the Alabama Bar and computer proficiency are required. Experience working with a low-income population is preferred. Applicants wtih bilingual skills are encouraged to apply. Salary: $38,000, with excellent benefits. Send cover letter, resume, references and a recent legal writing sample to jobs@alsp.org. The position is open until filled.
  • 9/15/09: The Alaska Public Defender Agency, through 13 statewide offices, provides legal services to indigent clients in criminal cases, child protection cases, mental health commitment proceedings, and juvenile delinquency matters. These services range from legal advice to case preparation and investigation, motion hearings, trial, appeal and beyond. The Alaska Public Defender Agency is seeking new attorneys and experienced trial attorneys to handle civil and criminal matters to represent indigent clients. Civil matters would include representing juveniles in delinquency proceedings and parents in child custody cases. Criminal matters include misdemeanor and all levels of felonies. Caseloads may be exclusively civil, criminal, or a mixture of both, depending on interest and location. Positions are available in both urban and rural office locations. Applicants must be members of a state bar association and be able to either gain admittance to the Alaska Bar Association through reciprocity or pass the Alaska Bar examination within 10 months of commencing employment. Salary: $55,216 -99,092 depending on experience and location of position. Please submit a cover letter, resume with references, and writing sample to Quinlan Steiner, Public Defender Agency, 900 West 5th Avenue, Suite 200, Anchorage, AK 99501. The same may be faxed to (907) 334-4440 or emailed to quinlan.steiner@alaska.gov. Telephone calls are also welcome to discuss available opportunities at (907) 334-4414 or by email. The positions are open until filled.
  • 9/15/09: The Environmental Law and Policy Center (ELPC) seeks to hire a public interest attorney advocate who is a recent law school graduate for a 1-year Environmental Attorney Fellow position in one of ELPC’s Des Moines, Madison or Sioux Falls offices starting in Fall 2010. The Environmental Attorney Fellow will work on ELPC's environmental litigation and policy issues in the Midwest/Great Plains states and on related federal issues. The Fellow will begin with an orientation process in the ELPC Chicago office. The Fellowship position is potentially renewable for a second year. Responsibilities: 1) Work with ELPC Senior Attorneys on litigation and policy initiatives for ELPC Clean Energy and Global Warming Solutions Projects, Transportation and Land Use Reform Project, and Wild and Natural Places Preservation Project activities; 2) Assist ELPC Executive Director on special projects; 3) Participate as member of multidisciplinary project teams of policy advocates, communications specialists and organizers. Qualifications: 1) Recent law school graduate, including attorneys who are completing judicial clerkships or have no more than 2 years of other legal practice; 2) Strong academic record and excellent writing, speaking and analytical skills; 3) Smart self-starter with track record of initiative and success; 4) Interest in and substantive law and policy knowledge in at least 1 of the following fields: energy, environmental, transportation, air quality, land use and/or natural resources law. The attorney should also understand and enjoy multifaceted public policy strategic advocacy that involves media, legislative, policy analysis and organizing approaches coordinated with strong and effective legal advocacy. An inspired and demonstrated commitment to public interest advocacy and an ability to work productively as a member of a team of skilled professionals is required. Send resume, cover letter and list of 3 references to LawFellowship@elpc.org. Address cover letter to Ms. Kay Tamillow, Executive Assistant, Environmental Law & Policy Center, 35 East Wacker Drive, Suite 1300, Chicago, IL 60601; http://www.elpc.org
  • 9/15/09: The United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit is now accepting applications for the position of staff law clerk for a 2-year term starting in August 2010. Staff law clerks work in a highly collegial environment with recent law school graduates and lawyers coming from the nation's top law schools, as well as with more experienced supervisory attorneys. Staff law clerks learn a wide variety of substantive and practical lawyering and writing skills through discussions with the judges and other staff law clerks. Staff law clerkships combine the intellectual rigor of a chambers clerkship with the benefits of working closely with all the judges of the Seventh Circuit, one of the most highly respected appeals courts in the country, on all phases of appellate litigation. Like traditional chambers clerks, the staff law clerks at the Seventh Circuit perform legal research, prepare bench memoranda and draft merits opinions on a broad spectrum of federal cases subject to oral argument at the Court. In addition to receiving the type of work typical of chambers clerkships, staff clerks work with all the judges of the entire Court rather than a single judge. They also assist the judges in resolving substantive motions that address complex questions of civil procedure or seek preliminary or emergency relief. Finally, staff law clerks assist 3-judge panels in weekly deliberative conferences on cases not subject to oral argument. Applicants must have excellent academic credentials and possess superior analytical, research, and writing skills. To apply, please submit cover letter, resume, law school transcript, 2 unedited legal writing samples (any length), and 2 letters of recommendation to Michael Fridkin, Senior Staff Attorney, 219 S. Dearborn Street, Room 2650, Chicago, IL 60604 Application materials can also be emailed to stafflawclerk_apps@ca7.uscourts.gov, preferably in .pdf format. There is no application deadline. Positions are open until filled, typically by Thanksgiving.
  • 9/9/09: Associate attorney sought to assist with a general caseload with a focus on criminal defense and a potential to develop other areas of practice. Applicants must be members of the KS Bar. Salary: $42,000. Send resume and cover letter by September 23, 2009 to Faith A.J. Maughan, Maughan & Maughan LC, 200 West Douglas Street, Suite 350, Wichita KS 67202; (316) 264-1919 (fax). For more information, please visit www.MaughanandMaughan.com
  • 9/5/09: Kopecky Law, P.A., a busy, AV-rated firm, seeks attorney to spend most of his/her day in various courts around the Kansas City metro area handling criminal and traffic cases (the firm handles only non-violent crimes). Applicants must be licensed in KS and MO. Starting salary: $25,000-40,000, plus bonus. Send cover letter and resume to Chris Kopecky, Kopecky Law, P.A., 7111 West 98th Terrace, Suite 150, Overland Park, KS 66212; (913) 491-1112 (fax); chris@kopeckylaw.com. The selected applicant will begin as soon as possible.
  • 9/2/09: A Term Law Clerk position will open for the Honorable Mary D. France, Bankruptcy Judge for the Middle District of Pennsylvania on September 1, 2010. This is a full-time, 40 hour per week position. Employment term is for a period of 2 years from September 1, 2010 to August 31, 2012. Duties include preparation of pre-hearing/trial case summaries and bench memos. Duties also include legal research and preparation of memos, orders, correspondence, and draft opinions. The incumbent reviews dockets of pending litigation and monitors progress; provides information to the judge in connection with pending litigation; proofreads orders and opinions; assists the judge during courtroom proceedings. Judicial law clerks are also responsible for some clerical/administrative duties, as chambers arrangements do not include a secretary. Qualifications: By the term start date, the candidate must have graduated from an accredited law school. The preferred candidate will be in the upper 25% of the law school class. Law review or similar law school experience demonstrating writing proficiency is preferred. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills are required. Applicant must be proficient in Word or WordPerfect and computer-assisted legal research. The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania serves a 33-county area in central and northeastern Pennsylvania. The Southern Division of the Court is based in Harrisburg and administers cases in south central Pennsylvania. Applicants must be a United States citizens or otherwise eligible for federal employment within the United States. Qualified candidates may apply by submitting cover letter, resume, 2 reference letters, law school transcript, and writing sample of less than 10 typewritten pages that has not been edited by anyone other than the applicant to The Honorable Mary D. France, United States Bankruptcy Judge, 228 Walnut Street, P.O. Box 1263, Harrisburg, PA 17108. Please include in the cover letter day and evening telephone contact numbers, GPA, and class rank. Individuals selected for interviews may be tested for skills in word processing, computer-assisted research, proofreading and legal citation checking. Before an offer of employment is made, references must be provided for any current and previous places of employment. Due to the expected volume of applications received, the Court will communicate only with those individuals who are interviewed for the position.
  • 9/2/09: The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit seeks Staff Attorneys. These positions are in New York, NY and will begin in August 2010. Salary: $63,397. The Staff Attorneys’ Office serves the Court at large. Principal tasks include analyzing and researching legal issues and drafting bench memoranda for all pro se and counseled substantive motions heard by panels of 3 judges, as well as for all appeals in which at least one party is proceeding pro se. In their memoranda, Staff Attorneys discuss the facts and procedural history of the case, analyze the legal issues, and recommend the disposition of the appeal. The appeals raise issues in such areas as habeas corpus, civil procedure, constitutional law, employment discrimination, social security, criminal law, sentencing guidelines (especially prisoners’ rights), immigration and commercial law. Staff Attorneys also perform other legal and administrative functions. These positions are for 2-year terms, with the possibility of yearly renewal up to a maximum 5-year term. Qualifications: JD required. Applicants must have excellent academic credentials and possess superior analytical, research and writing skills. Prior federal and appellate experience is preferred, including externships. To be considered, submit 3 copies of each: cover letter, resume and law school transcript; and 3 references to SAO_applications@ca2.uscourts.gov. Please include reference #FY 09-24 on the cover letter.
  • 9/2/09: Special Master Dee Lord in the Office of Special Masters of the United States Court of Federal Claims will be hiring a Law Clerk. This position is in Washington, D.C. Salary range: $69,989-95,026. Start date: January-March 2010. Special Masters are full-time judicial officials who adjudicate claims filed pursuant to the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Act, 42 USC § 300aa-1 to-34. The law clerk for a Special Master helps manage cases dealing with allegations that certain vaccines (DPT, measles, MMR, hepatitis A and B, hemophilus B influenza, varicella, flu, pneumococcal) caused injury and/or death. The United States Department of Justice defends these Suits. Representative Duties: The law clerk must be willing and able to manage a heavy caseload, including conferring with counsel, keeping the Special Master's calendar up-to-date, helping with decisions on liability, damages, attorneys’ fees and costs, issuing orders after status conferences, and keeping monthly statistics on the disposition of cases. Accuracy and the ability to concentrate on multiple tasks are essential to the position. Professionalism in dealing with opposing counsel is also mandatory. Mandatory Requirements: 1) Law school graduate; 2) Superior analytical and writing abilities; 3) Professional demeanor in speaking with counsel. The United States Court of Federal Claims requires employees to adhere to a Code of Ethics and Conduct. Applicants are subject to an FBI background investigation as a condition of employment. Complete application packages must be received by 4:00 p.m. on December 1, 2009. Forward a cover letter, writing sample, and resume to Special Master Dee Lord, United States Court of Federal Claims, Office of Special Masters, 1440 New York Avenue, N.W., Suite 200, Washington, DC 20005 or email to mary_pollard@ao.uscourts.gov. Additional information regarding the Office of Special Masters can be found at http://www.uscfc.uscourts.gov/osmpage.htm. No telephone calls please. Candidates selected for interview will be contacted.
  • 9/2/09: The United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa is seeking applications for an elbow law clerk to Chief Judge Linda R. Reade to begin in August of 2010. The position will be located in Cedar Rapids. Salary range: $56,411-80,402. The incumbent will be hired for the period commencing in August 2010 until August 2012, with the possibility of additional years. The incumbent will be a part of the Chief Judge’s staff, which will consist of a secretary, 2 law clerks, a courtroom deputy/legal advisor and a court reporter. The incumbent will have the opportunity to research a variety of legal issues, draft memoranda, draft jury instructions, and draft opinions. The successful applicant will be required to submit to a background clearance which includes fingerprinting. Appointments are provisional based upon successful background clearance. Minimum qualifications: JD from a law school of recognized standing in the upper 25% of the class (or certified completion of all law school studies and requirements, and merely awaiting conferment of degree by August 2010) is required. Applicant must possess excellent research and computer skills, be organized, a team player and highly motivated. Prior legal experience is preferred. Law Review experience, publication of a noteworthy article in a law school publication or other scholarly publication, or moot court experience are preferred. Due to the volume of applications, not all applicants will be interviewed. The Court will only communicate with those individuals who will be interviewed. The position will be opened until filled and may be closed without further notice. Applicants should submit a resume and cover letter outlining qualifications to The Honorable Linda R. Reade, Chief Judge, United States District Court, Northern District of Iowa, 4200 C Street SW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
  • 9/2/09: The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit seeks a Staff Attorney in its Immigration Unit. The Immigration Unit is part of the Staff Attorneys’ Office within the Court’s Office of Legal Affairs. Immigration Staff Attorneys provide the Court’s Judges with substantive legal analysis, advice, and other assistance in cases raising immigration issues, particularly petitions for review challenging the denial of an application for asylum, withholding of removal, and/or relief under the Convention Against Torture. Depending on the needs of the office, Immigration Staff Attorneys may be asked to work on other matters unrelated to immigration law. Immigration Staff Attorneys report directly to the Director of the Office of Legal Affairs and Supervisory Staff Attorneys. Qualifications: JD required; prior immigration and/or court experience is preferred. Applicants must have excellent academic credentials and possess superior analytical, research, and writing skills. Appointments are for 1 year, with the possibility of a second term. More than 1 position is available; start date is August 2010. Salary: $63,397. To apply, submit cover letter, resume, law school transcript, and list of 3 references (at least one of whom must be able to speak to applicant’s writing ability). Send electronic versions of these materials to NAC_applications@ca2.uscourts.gov. Please include reference #FY09-2 on the cover letter. This position is open until filled.
  • 7/6/09: The United States Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit seeks Staff Attorneys. These positions are in Atlanta. Starting salary: $58,734. The Staff Attorneys’ Office is accepting applications for current and future staff attorney position openings on an ongoing basis. The Staff Attorneys’ Office is a central legal staff, serving the Court at large rather than individual judges. The principal task of the office is to assist in the disposition of appeals through the preparation of legal memoranda. The types of cases the office presently handles include 1) direct criminal appeals involving sentencing guidelines and guilt/innocence issues; 2) all pro se appeals, including collateral attacks on criminal convictions by state and federal prisoners, and civil rights suits under 42 U.S.C. § 1983; 3) employment discrimination cases; 4) immigration cases; and 5) Social Security appeals. There are also 3 specialized units within the office. The Jurisdiction Unit assists the Court in the initial review of all appeals filed for the purpose of determining appellate jurisdiction. The Issue Tracking Unit serves to track and catalog relevant legal issues. The Motions Unit processes certain substantive motions, including those for in forma pauperis status, certificates of appealability for 28 U.S.C. §§ 2254 and 2255 appeals, transcripts at government expense, and motions to appoint, withdraw, and/or substitute counsel. Staff attorneys work in a highly collegial environment with other recent law school graduates and lawyers coming from judicial clerkships or private practice, as well as with more experienced supervisory staff attorneys and senior management. Employment with the office offers a generous benefits package, civil and criminal law experience at the federal court level, and an environment providing significant responsibility and challenge. Send cover letter, resume with law school class rank/percentile and at least 3 professional references, unofficial transcript, and writing sample to Sara Gilibert, Manager for Recruiting, Training, and Professional Development, Eleventh Circuit Court of Appeals, Staff Attorneys’ Office, 56 Forsyth Street, N.W., Atlanta, Georgia 30303-2289.