Law Clerk
What you'd do
For more information on the Department of Justice and the United States Attorneys' Offices, visit www.justice.gov/usao/ As needed, additional positions may be filled using this announcement.
Major duties
If selected for this position, you will join a well-respected team that is responsible for investigating and prosecuting an assortment of cases with a particular focus on those cases involving illegal immigration, drug trafficking, human trafficking, firearms trafficking, human smuggling, and transnational organized crime, including Mexican drug cartels. This position requires strong analytical skills and, often, a JD degree or current enrollment in law school. Typical work assignments will include: Legal Research & Writing: Perform extensive research using Westlaw/Lexis, and draft legal documents including motions, orders, and memoranda. Case Preparation: Assist attorneys with trial preparation, hearings, and witness interviews. Case Management: Review complaints, petitions, and pleadings, and monitor changes in federal law and court precedent. Administrative Support: Manage case files, handle exhibit preparation, and maintain legal libraries. Communication: Act as a liaison between chambers/offices and attorneys. Responsibilities will increase and assignments will become more complex as your training and experience progress.
What you need to qualify
Specialized/Legal Experience: Specialized/legal experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge skills, abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Below are the qualification requirements (degree and/or experience) required prior to being appointed to a law clerk position. Required Qualifications: Applicants must have completed their law degree from a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) within the previous year. Law school graduates who received their JD prior to June 1, 2025 are not eligible. Applicants must have a class rank required within top 1/3 of law school class or grade point average of 3.0 or higher out of possible 4.0. Bar membership is not required. United States citizenship is required. Preferred Qualifications: Hiring preferences include strong academics, legal writing, analytical skills, and knowledge of Federal regulations and case law. Law Clerk appointments may be made for periods not to exceed 14 months pending admission to the bar. No person may be given more than one law clerk appointment; however, an appointment made for less than 14 months may be extended for not to exceed 14 months in total duration. A law clerk appointment will terminate on its not to exceed date or the law clerk may resign prior to the not to exceed date or expiration date of appointment. Law clerks may convert to an entry-level attorney position after demonstration of satisfactory employment as a law clerk and admittance to a bar of a U.S. state, territory, or commonwealth.
Before you apply
Federal applications are different: your resume should be 3–5 pages and mirror the language of this announcement. Read our federal resume guide first — it's the #1 reason qualified people get screened out.
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