Job Details for Judicial Law Clerk
| Court Name/Organization: | Florida Middle District Court |
| Location: | Jacksonville, FL |
| Opening and Closing Dates: | 01/31/2024 - Open Until Filled |
| Appointment Type: | Permanent |
| Classification Level/Grade: | JS 11 - JS 14 |
| Salary: | $72,553 - $122,198 |
| Link to Court Careers Information: | https://www.flmd.uscourts.gov/employment |
| Announcement Number: | 24-20 |
| Link to Job Announcement | |
Position Description
The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida is accepting applications for a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Marcia Morales Howard, U.S. District Judge. The judicial law clerk will research issues of law, draft opinions and bench briefs, attend trials and other court proceedings, and act as an advisor, making recommendations based on the law. The position includes responsibility for some administrative tasks as well. The caseload in the jurisdiction is heavy, and the types of cases presented are varied, often involving novel issues of law. While the nature of the matters presented is serious, the office environment is personable. There is daily interaction with the Judge and other law clerks.
Qualification
At the time of appointment, the applicant must be a law school graduate and must possess excellent research and writing skills. Experience on the editorial board of law review, participation on moot court, or publication of a noteworthy article and high academic standing is preferred. Bar membership and postgraduate legal experience is preferred but not required.
Benefits
Some of the benefits of the judicial law clerk position are:
- Participation in the federal health insurance program of your choice.
- Participation in a group life insurance program.
- Participation in a flexible spending account for medical and/or dependent care expenses on a pre-tax basis.
- A minimum of eleven paid holidays per year. Other vacation to be scheduled as agreed upon between the law clerk and the Judge.
- Prescribed salary progression through classification level based on acceptable performance.
How To Apply
The position is available beginning in October 2025. Interested candidates must commit to a two-year clerkship, although the second year will be at Judge Howard’s option after an evaluation of the employment relationship at the end of one year.
All applications will be considered when received and should be submitted as soon as possible. Selected interviews will be scheduled until the position is filled. Due to the volume of applications usually received, receipt of individual applications will not be acknowledged. To apply, submit a cover letter, resume, law school transcript, self-edited writing sample, and three reference letters via email.
The cover letter should address the candidate’s interest in the Jacksonville Division, or more broadly, the Middle District of Florida.
Salary is determined by work experience, federal service, and pay history. Employees are required to use Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) for payroll deposit. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or eligible to work in the United States. The selected candidate will be subject to a background check as a condition of employment.
The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.