Government
Dallas, TX
Judicial Clerkship - Government in Dallas, TX
Judicial Clerkship
No
Job Title: Staff Attorney/Pro Se Law Clerk
Job Responsibilities:
The Staff Attorney/Pro Se Law Clerk position at the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas entails a variety of responsibilities. The primary duties include:
- Reviewing motions to proceed in forma pauperis, which allows a party to a lawsuit to proceed without paying court fees due to financial hardship.
- Screening prisoner petitions and motions, motions to vacate sentences, and civil rights complaints to ensure they meet legal standards and requirements.
- Assisting judges with all aspects of prisoner case management, which involves organizing, managing, and progressing cases through the judicial system.
- Drafting appropriate recommendations and orders for judge approval, which helps facilitate the decision-making process in court proceedings.
- Working on cases for multiple judges, requiring flexibility and the ability to manage a diverse caseload across different judicial officers.
Education and Experience Information:
To qualify for the Staff Attorney/Pro Se Law Clerk position, candidates must meet the following criteria:
- Be a graduate of a law school, demonstrating a comprehensive understanding of legal principles and practices.
- Be a member of a state bar, which indicates that the candidate has passed the bar examination and is authorized to practice law in a particular jurisdiction.
- Experience as a judicial law clerk is preferred, providing familiarity with court operations and legal procedures.
- Extensive experience in performing legal research and writing is required, ensuring the candidate can effectively analyze legal issues and communicate findings.
Salary Information:
The salary range for the Staff Attorney/Pro Se Law Clerk position is specified under the Judicial Salary Plan (JSP) grades 11 through 14, with an annual salary ranging from $80,381 to $175,995. The final salary offer depends on the qualifications and experience of the candidate. It is important to note that funding for this position beyond the fiscal year is contingent upon prisoner case filings, which may affect the long-term availability and security of the position.
Additional Information:
The position is located in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, which is part of the Northern District of Texas. This district encompasses a significant portion of Texas, including nine of the top twenty most populous cities in the state and two of the most populous cities in the country, Dallas and Fort Worth. The district covers more than 96,000 square miles, making it the largest land area federal district in the country, aside from those encompassing entire states.
Benefits for the position include participation in the Federal Employees’ Retirement System, Federal Employees’ Health Benefits, Federal Employees’ Group Life Insurance, and the Thrift Savings Plan, which is similar to a 401(k) plan with employer matching contributions. Employees also receive 11 paid federal holidays and accrue annual and sick leave.
Applicants must submit a cover letter, a current resume and law school transcript, and two writing samples ranging from five to fifteen pages each. The position is an excepted service appointment, meaning employees are considered at will and are not covered by federal civil service classifications or regulations. Candidates must be lawful, permanent residents seeking . citizenship and must adhere to the Judiciary Code of Ethics and Conduct.
It is important to note that due to the anticipated high volume of applications, the Court will only communicate with applicants who are considered for interviews. Applicants selected for interviews must travel at their own expense, and relocation expenses will not be reimbursed. Candidates selected for employment must successfully pass a background check, which includes an FBI fingerprint check, and may be subject to periodic background investigation updates.
The Court is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities as part of the application and interviewing process. Decisions on granting accommodations are made on a case-by-case basis. The Court reserves the right to modify the conditions of the job announcement, withdraw the announcement, or fill the position sooner than the closing date without prior notice.
Jun 18, 2025
|
May 19, 2025
|
Tell us where to send your access instructions: