Job Details for Term Law Clerk
| Court Name/Organization | Colorado District Court |
| Overview of the Position | The U.S. District Court for the District Court of Colorado has an opening for a judicial law clerk (term) in the chambers of U.S. Magistrate Judge Susan Prose, with a start date of April 13, 2026. This term is initially expected to last through April 13, 2027; however, Judge Prose will consider offering a one-year extension (through April 2028), contingent upon ongoing satisfactory job performance. |
| Location | Denver, CO |
| Opening and Closing Dates | 12/22/2025 - Open Until Filled |
| Appointment Type | Permanent |
| Classification Level/Grade | JSP 11 - JSP 13 |
| Salary | $82,440 - $117,501 |
| Announcement Number | 2026-05-USDC |
| Link to Job Announcement | |
Position Description
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 Chambers is a hardworking but friendly environment.
Minimum Qualifications for Judicial Salary Plan (JSP) Levels
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; or
- 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 Prose strongly prefers applicants with the following qualifications:
- Two years or more of legal work experience after graduation from law school, particularly in litigation, and/or
- Prior experience as a federal court law clerk after graduation from law school.
Miscellaneous
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 Chambers is a hardworking but friendly environment.
Minimum Qualifications for Judicial Salary Plan (JSP) Levels
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; or
- 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 Prose strongly prefers applicants with the following qualifications:
- Two years or more of legal work experience after graduation from law school, particularly in litigation, and/or
- Prior experience as a federal court law clerk after graduation from law school.
Application Info
Applicants must apply through OSCAR. Through OSCAR, each applicant should submit:
- A detailed cover letter describing your legal experience and why you believe you are well-suited to the position in our Chambers;
- A detailed and up-to-date résumé;
- 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;
- Law school transcripts;
- Two substantial writing samples that reflect no more than de minimis editing by a third party; and
- Three 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.