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Job Details for Term Law Clerk

Court Name/Organization Colorado District Court
Location Denver, CO
Opening and Closing Dates 12/10/2025 - Open Until Filled
Appointment Type Permanent
Classification Level/Grade JSP 11 - JSP 13
Salary $82,440 - $117,501
Link to Court Careers Information https://www.cod.uscourts.gov/HR/EmploymentOpportunities.aspx
Announcement Number 2026-06-USDC
Link to Job Announcement

Position Description

The U.S. District Court for the District Court of Colorado is seeking a Judicial Law Clerk (term) in the Chambers of U.S. District Judge Regina M. Rodriguez. Duty station is located at 901 19th Street, Denver, Colorado. The position will commence on April 6, 2026. The term is expected to last through April 2, 2028, with the possibility of additional year(s). Previous federal service as a Term Law Clerk will lessen the four-year total appointment. Judge Rodriguez may consider an extension or career position depending on qualifications.

The judicial law clerk (term) will provide legal support to the Judge by conducting legal research, preparing memoranda and draft orders, attending trials and other court proceedings, and acting as legal advisor. The Judge’s Chamber is a hardworking but friendly environment.

Qualifications

To qualify for a JSP 11/1, a person must be a graduate from a law school of recognized standing, and have demonstrated one of the following accomplishments or proficiencies:

  • Standing within the upper third 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.
  • Proficiency in legal studies that, in the opinion of the appointing judge, is the equivalent of one of the above.

To qualify for a JSP 12/1, a person must meet the above but also have at least one year of full-time legal work experience after graduation from law school and must be a member of the bar of a state, territorial, or federal court of general jurisdiction.

To qualify for a JSP 13/1, a person must meet the above but also have at least two years of full-time legal work experience after graduation from law school and must be a member of the bar of a state, territorial, or federal court of general jurisdiction.

Preferred Qualifications of the Appointing Judge

Judge Rodriguez strongly prefers applicants with the following qualifications:

Prior clerkship experience and/or prior legal practice experience is required. Judge Rodriguez would prefer at least three years of clerkship/legal practice experience, but she will consider otherwise extremely qualified candidates with fewer years of experience

Miscellaneous

The U.S. District Court for the District Court of Colorado is seeking a Judicial Law Clerk (term) in the Chambers of U.S. District Judge Regina M. Rodriguez. Duty station is located at 901 19th Street, Denver, Colorado. The position will commence on April 6, 2026. The term is expected to last through April 2, 2028, with the possibility of additional year(s). Previous federal service as a Term Law Clerk will lessen the four-year total appointment. Judge Rodriguez may consider an extension or career position depending on qualifications.

The judicial law clerk (term) will provide legal support to the Judge by conducting legal research, preparing memoranda and draft orders, attending trials and other court proceedings, and acting as legal advisor. The Judge’s Chamber is a hardworking but friendly environment.

Application Info

Applicants must apply through OSCAR. Through OSCAR, each applicant should submit:

  1. A detailed cover letter describing your legal experience and why you believe you are well-suited to the position in our Chambers.
  2. A detailed and up-to-date résumé.
  3. Federal Judicial Branch Application for Employment (application form AO 78). Save and upload the application as a “Resume” through OSCAR. All applicants for this position must complete the “Optional Background Information” section of the AO 78 (page 5) to be considered.
  4. Law school transcripts.
  5. One substantial writing sample that reflects no more than de minimis editing by a third party.
  6. Two references (including current telephone numbers). Letters of recommendation should not be submitted at this time.

Incomplete applications may not be considered. Please do not send any application materials to us through any other means, including in hard copy or via email. Contact our HR Division at 303-335-2494 with any questions concerning this announcement.

The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.