Job Details for Term Law Clerk to U.S. Magistrate Judge
| Court Name/Organization: | California Southern District Court |
| Overview of the Position: | The U.S District Court for the Southern District of California is accepting resumes for the position of Term Law Clerk to U.S. Magistrate Judge Valerie E. Torres. |
| Location: | San Diego, CA |
| Opening and Closing Dates: | 02/05/2024 - Open Until Filled |
| Appointment Type: | Temporary |
| Classification Level/Grade: | JSP 11/14 |
| Salary: | $82,633 - $180,931 |
| Link to Court Careers Information: | http://www.casd.uscourts.gov |
| Announcement Number: | 24-05 |
| Link to Job Announcement | |
Position Description
Provides information, guidance, and advice to U.S. Magistrate Judge, in connection with pending civil and criminal litigation, and manages special projects and other administrative duties for the judge as needed. Drafts appropriate recommendations and orders for the Court's signature. Reviews complaints, petitions, motions and pleadings that have been filed to determine issues involved and basis for relief. Performs research as required. Maintains liaison between the Court and litigants; corresponds with other court officials and personnel. Evaluates procedures. Reviews docket of pending litigation to assure proper progress. Keeps Court advised of those cases where action by the Court is appropriate. Compiles statistics and prepares periodic reports, as required. Identifies problem areas, makes recommendations, and offers solutions, as required. Keeps abreast of changes in the law to aid the Court. Advises appropriate personnel on status of particular cases. Performs other duties as assigned.
Qualification
To qualify for the position of Law Clerk to a U.S. Magistrate Judge, an individual must be a law school graduate. Class standing in the top 25% and Law Review/Journal preferred. Previous legal and/or Federal clerkship experience is also preferred.
Bar Membership & Salary Level:
- To be placed at Grades 12 or 13, you must be a member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory, or Federal Court of general jurisdiction.
- **For attorneys entering the federal court system for the first time, to qualify for grade 12, an individual must have one year of legal work experience after graduation from law school. To qualify for grade 13, an individual must have two years of legal work experience after graduation from law school. All entering attorneys will be placed at salary range minimum.
- **To be placed at Grade 14, two of the three required years of legal work experience must have been served in the federal judiciary.
- For current federal employees, salary placement will be determined by highest previous grade and step.
Legal Work Experience: Legal work experience is progressively responsible experience in the practice of law, in legal research, legal administration, or equivalent experience received after graduation from law school. Major or substantial legal activities while in military service may be credited, on a month-for-month basis whether before or after graduation, but not to exceed one year if before graduation from law school.
Miscellaneous
Personal Characteristics: The ideal applicant must be able to work efficiently and independently and should possess excellent organizational skills. This position is best suited for an applicant who is familiar with the federal court system and who can train and adapt quickly. The applicant must be computer literate, proficient in Word, and familiar with CM/ECF and/or PACER, Lexis Nexis, and Westlaw. Most importantly, the applicant must have excellent writing skills and must be prepared to work as part of a team. Finally, although a strong academic background is important, serious consideration will be given to those applicants who have also demonstrated a level of excellence in non-legal and non-academic pursuits.
How To Apply
To apply for this position, qualified applicants should prepare the following materials for submission:
- Cover letter
- Resume
- Two writing samples
- Law school transcript (unofficial copy acceptable)
- List of three professional references with contact information
All applications must be submitted electronically through the OSCAR system located at https://oscar.uscourts.gov/. The posting can be found under the account of U.S. Magistrate Judge Valerie E. Torres.
The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.