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Job Details for Term Law Clerk

Court Name/Organization Texas Eastern District Court
Overview of the Position The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas is a public service-oriented organization focused on providing exceptional customer service to the court, members of the legal community and the general public. Currently, we are seeking innovative and experienced applicants for a Term Law Clerk position. There are seven offices within the Eastern District of Texas: Beaumont, Lufkin, Marshall, Plano, Sherman, Texarkana, and Tyler
Location Plano, TX
Opening and Closing Dates 03/18/2025 - Open Until Filled
Appointment Type Permanent
Classification Level/Grade JSP 11/1 - 14/1
Salary $80,381 - $175,995
Link to Court Careers Information https://txed.uscourts.gov/
Announcement Number 2025-9
Link to Job Announcement

Position Description

The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas is accepting applications for a Term Law Clerk position to the Honorable Bill Davis, U.S. Magistrate Judge starting in September or October 2026 and ending in September or October 2027. The term law clerk provides critical support by conducting legal research and preparing legal memoranda, orders and draft opinions on both civil and criminal cases.

Qualifications

A Juris Doctor degree is required. To qualify for the position of law clerk on the personal staff of a federal judge, a person must be a law school graduate (or be certified as having completed all law school studies and requirements and merely awaiting conferment of degree) from a law school of recognized standing, and have one or more of the following attributes: Standing within the upper quarter (top 25%) 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; Experience on the editorial board of a law review of such a school; Graduation from such a school with an LLM degree; or Demonstrated proficiency in legal studies, which in the opinion of the judge, is the equivalent of one of the above. To qualify for level JSP Grade 12, an individual must have one year of legal work experience after graduation from law school and must be a member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory, or Federal Court of general jurisdiction. To qualify for level JSP Grade 13, an individual must possess two years of legal work experience after graduation from law school and must be a member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory, or Federal Court of general jurisdiction.

General Experience

Additional Preferences: The court has a varied civil docket including patent, civil rights, employment, and admiralty cases in addition to a full criminal docket. Graduation from an accredited law school required; top 25% of class and current law license preferred. Two years post graduate experience in actual litigation is also preferred. Ability to analyze and research issues quickly, and then to write clearly, is essential. Preference will be given to those who possess two or more years of post-graduate legal work experience, case management skills and the ability to work independently in a production oriented, high-volume work environment.

Specialized Experience

Personal Characteristics: A successful candidate should possess good judgment and good analytical skills; should demonstrate initiative; should possess a strong work ethic; should maintain a professional appearance and demeanor; should be able to work quickly and harmoniously with others in a team-based environment; and must be able to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. This position requires excellent attendance, punctuality, and flexibility with work hours. Successful candidates will be expected to assist the judge and staff in managing the docket in a professional, organized manner while exercising complete discretion in the handling of confidential and sensitive matters.

Employee Benefits

  • 11 paid holidays
  • Optional participation in the Federal Employee’s Health Benefits Program, the Federal Employees Vision and Dental Insurance Program and the Federal Employee’s Group Life Insurance Program
  • Optional participation in the pre-tax flexible spending accounts program

Miscellaneous

The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas is accepting applications for a Term Law Clerk position to the Honorable Bill Davis, U.S. Magistrate Judge starting in September or October 2026 and ending in September or October 2027. The term law clerk provides critical support by conducting legal research and preparing legal memoranda, orders and draft opinions on both civil and criminal cases.

Application Info

Please send the following documents as a single PDF with the reference number (2025-9 Term Law Clerk) in the subject line via email to: hr@txed.uscourts.gov

  • Cover letter
  • AO 78 Application for Judicial Branch Federal Employment (located at www.txed.uscourts.gov) with Optional Background Information (questions 19, 20, and 21) completed
  • Resume
  • Original writing sample, unedited by anyone else (at least 10 pages in length)
  • Grade sheet from Undergraduate School and any graduate education grade sheet
  • Three professional references

Please print or type all information. If your application does not provide all information requested, or if your application packet is not complete or late, you may lose consideration for this position.

Only qualified applicants will be considered for this position. Applicants selected for interviews must travel at their own expense and relocation expenses will not be reimbursed.

We will only make contact with those qualified applicants who will be invited for an interview.

The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.