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Job Details for Term Law Clerk for U.S. District Judge

Court Name/Organization Colorado District Court
Overview of the Position The U.S. District Court, for the District Court of Colorado has an opening for a judicial law clerk (term) in the chambers of U.S. District Judge S. Kato Crews, with a start date Oct. 6, 2025. The term is expected to last two years contingent upon ongoing satisfactory job performance, ending on Sept. 30, 2027.
Location Denver, CO
Opening and Closing Dates 01/15/2025 - Open Until Filled
Appointment Type Temporary
Classification Level/Grade JSP 11 - JSP 13
Salary $82,440 - $117,501
Announcement Number 2025-04-USDC
Link to Job Announcement

Position Description

The term law clerk supports the Judge in managing a busy civil and criminal docket. The term law clerk researches all manner of legal issues, drafts orders, prepares pre-hearing bench memoranda that identify issues for the Judge and questions for the parties, attends trials and other court proceedings, and otherwise assists and supports the Judge in preparing for civil and criminal hearings, trials, or other business of the U.S. District Court and the Judge. The term law clerk may also assist the Judge in preparing for the Judge’s extrajudicial activities (such as civic, community, and educational engagements) that concern the law, the legal system, or the administration of justice. The term law clerk also must maintain a courteous and professional demeanor within chambers, the Court, the bar, and with the public at large.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications for Judicial Salary Plan (JSP) Levels
To qualify for a JSP 11/1, a person must be a graduate from a law school of recognized standing, and have demonstrated one of the following accomplishments or proficiencies:

  1. Standing within the upper third of the law school class from a law school on the approved list of either the American Bar Association or the Association of American Law Schools
  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. Proficiency in legal studies that, in the opinion of the appointing judge, is the equivalent of one of the above

To qualify for a JSP 12/1, a person must meet the above but also have at least one year of full-time legal work experience after graduation from law school and must be a member of the bar of a state, territorial, or federal court of general jurisdiction.

To qualify for a JSP 13/1, a person must meet the above but also have at least two years of full-time legal work experience after graduation from law school and must be a member of the bar of a state, territorial, or federal court of general jurisdiction.

Minimum Qualifications for Judicial Salary Plan (JSP) Levels
Judge Crews prefers applicants with the following qualifications:

  1. At least one full year of active litigation experience after graduation from law school, or at least one year of experience as a judicial law clerk for a federal district or magistrate judge
  2. Experience on the editorial board of a law review or law journal, or other demonstrated meaningful legal research and writing experience
  3. Demonstrated civic or community engagement

Miscellaneous

The term law clerk supports the Judge in managing a busy civil and criminal docket. The term law clerk researches all manner of legal issues, drafts orders, prepares pre-hearing bench memoranda that identify issues for the Judge and questions for the parties, attends trials and other court proceedings, and otherwise assists and supports the Judge in preparing for civil and criminal hearings, trials, or other business of the U.S. District Court and the Judge. The term law clerk may also assist the Judge in preparing for the Judge’s extrajudicial activities (such as civic, community, and educational engagements) that concern the law, the legal system, or the administration of justice. The term law clerk also must maintain a courteous and professional demeanor within chambers, the Court, the bar, and with the public at large.

Application Info

Applicants must apply through OSCAR. Through OSCAR, each applicant should submit:

  1. Cover letter
  2. Current resume
  3. Application form AO78. Save and upload application as “Resume” through OSCAR. All applicants for this position must also complete the “Optional Background Information” section of the AO78 (page 5) for consideration.
  4. Two substantial writing samples that are significantly your own work, with at most minimal edits by others
  5. Law school and undergraduate transcripts
  6. Contact information for three professional references
  7. Two letters of recommendation

Incomplete applications may not be considered. Please do not send any application materials to us through any other means, including in hard copy or via email. Contact our HR Division at 303-335-2494, with any questions concerning this announcement.

The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.