Court Law Clerk

Georgia Northern District Court

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Job Description

Overview of the Position The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia is one of the busiest federal district courts in the country. We are accepting applications for court law clerks to serve a term of one year in Atlanta, Georgia, which may be extended but is contingent on, among other things, funding and law clerk term limits. These positions will require in-person attendance, although working remotely on certain days may be allowed with supervisor approval. Employment may commence as early as Oct. 1, 2026. Position Description Court law clerks will be primarily responsible for legal research and the preparation of draft orders and opinions. They may assist on a wide variety of challenging and complex civil and criminal cases that come before the Court. Although court law clerks may not necessarily work within any individual judge’s chambers, their duties will be ultimately supervised by one or more federal judges, and their work product will be heavily relied upon.

Requirements

Applicants must not only be a graduate of a law school of recognized standing, but also must have an excellent academic record, a demonstrated proficiency in writing and legal analysis, and an ability to produce outstanding work product efficiently and under demanding time pressures. The successful candidate also must have passed the bar and acquired bar membership before their start date. To qualify for the JSP 13 level, the candidate must have at least two years of legal work experience. Legal work experience means progressively responsible experience in the practice of law, legal research, or legal administration or equivalent experience received after graduation from law school. Preference will be given to applicants with prior judicial law clerk experience, as well as those who have served on the editorial board of a law review. The job responsibilities require interaction with judges, attorneys, and other law clerks or chambers staff. The ability to self-motivate and communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, is critical. Applicants also must have excellent interpersonal and organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple tasks in a timely manner. General Experience Applicants must not only be a graduate of a law school of recognized standing, but also must have an excellent academic record, a demonstrated proficiency in writing and legal analysis, and an ability to produce outstanding work product efficiently and under demanding time pressures. The successful candidate also must have passed the bar and acquired bar membership before their start date. To qualify for the JSP 13 level, the candidate must have at least two years of legal work experience. Legal work experience means progressively responsible experience in the practice of law, legal research, or legal administration or equivalent experience received after graduation from law school. Preference will be given to applicants with prior judicial law clerk experience, as well as those who have served on the editorial board of a law review. The job responsibilities require interaction with judges, attorneys, and other law clerks or chambers staff. The ability to self-motivate and communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, is critical. Applicants also must have excellent interpersonal and organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple tasks in a timely manner. Employee Benefits Court law clerks are eligible for health insurance. Depending on the length of the term, clerks also may be eligible for dental, vision, and life insurance. Paid vacation time and paid sick time may also be available. Court law clerks are not eligible to participate in the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) or Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). Miscellaneous Employees of the U.S. District Court are appointed in the excepted service, are considered “at-will” employees, and serve at the pleasure of the Court. All employees are required to adhere to a Code of Ethics and Conduct, copies of which are available upon request. As a condition of employment, the selected candidate must successfully complete a background check with law enforcement agencies and a check of financial and credit records. All offers of employment are provisional until a full suitability determination has been made. The Federal Financial Reform Act requires direct deposit of federal wages for Court employees. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or eligible to work in the United States. The selectee for this position is subject to a criminal record check and satisfactory adjudication by the employing office to be eligible for employment. Due to the sensitivity of this position, candidates may be asked about their criminal history prior to receiving a tentative offer of employment. Candidates completing Form AO-78 must complete questions 18-20 regarding their criminal history. Criminal history is not in itself disqualifying. All available information, past and present, favora

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