US District Court Seeking Term Law Clerk
United States District Court, Western District of North Carolina, is seeking a Term Law Clerk to a United States Magistrate judge in Asheville.
Announcement Number: JA 20-05
Position Title: Term Law Clerk to United States Magistrate Judge
Grade Level: JSP 11-13
Position Location: Asheville, North Carolina
Open Date: September 10, 2020
Closing Date: Open Until Filled
POSITION OVERVIEW
Applications are invited for the position of Term Law Clerk to a United States Magistrate Judge
based in the Asheville Division of the United States District Court for the Western District of North
Carolina. This position is anticipated to cover a one-year term, though may be extended at the
discretion of the successful applicant and the Judge for an additional period not to exceed a total
of four years.
Principal duties of the position include:
• Researching substantive issues of federal and state law;
• Drafting legal documents addressing various issues arising in civil and criminal matters;
• Assisting the Judge in preparing for hearings, trials, and other proceedings;
• Presenting issues to the judge and explaining (orally and in writing) the
proposed recommendation and any choices to be made;
• Interacting with other court personnel, attorneys, and/or litigants; and
• Performing administrative and other duties as assigned.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
The following educational and professional qualifications are required:
• A juris doctor degree awarded by a law school accredited by the American Bar
Association;
• Strong academic credentials;
• Superior analytical ability and outstanding legal research and writing skills (participation
in law review preferred); and
• Highly proficient computer and word processing skills.
1 No individual is permitted to serve in the Judiciary for more than four years (whether full-time or part-time) in a Term Law Clerk capacity on or after September 18, 2007. Service as a Term Law Clerk prior to September 18, 2007 will not be counted toward the four-year limit.
Preference may be given for experience in a prior federal clerkship or other comparable position, standing in the upper one-third (1/3) of the applicant’s law school class, participation in law review or moot court activities, and experience in the practice of law, particularly in the area of criminal law.
Candidates must also possess the following personal skills and characteristics:
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to communicate effectively, both
orally and in writing;
• Superior organizational skills, including the ability to work independently on multiple
tasks in a high-volume environment;
• A high level of maturity, being responsible and exercising good judgment; and,
• Exceptional integrity and professionalism, including with respect to work product, attitude,
and demeanor.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
The pay rate offered is dependent upon the applicant’s qualifications and Judicial Officer
Approval.
JSP Grade Level Legal Work Experience (Post
graduation)
Bar Membership
JSP Grade 11 – $64,009 0 No
JSP Grade 12 – $76,721 1 Full-Time Year Yes
JSP Grade 13 – $91,231 2 Full-Time Years Yes
The judiciary offers a number of exceptional benefits to its employees. As a judiciary employee,
the successful candidate may be eligible to participate in the following benefits programs:
• Health Insurance
• Dental and Vision Insurance
• Life Insurance
• 13 Federal Holidays per year
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Medical and Dependent Care)
• Commuter Benefit Program
Additional information about federal judiciary benefits and compensation can be found on the
United States Courts website career page at: http://www.uscourts.gov/Careers.aspx
