Job Details for 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 Law Clerk to an incoming Magistrate Judge. Please note that depending on qualifications and experience, one candidate may be appointed to a career appointment at the discretion of the judge. If both positions are filled as term law clerks, the selected candidates are limited to no more than four years of lifetime service per judiciary rules. |
| Location | San Diego, CA |
| Opening and Closing Dates | 01/22/2026 - Open Until Filled |
| Appointment Type | Temporary |
| Classification Level/Grade | JSP 11 - JSP 14 |
| Salary | $85,307 - $186,785 |
| Link to Court Careers Information | http://www.casd.uscourts.gov |
| Announcement Number | 26-04 |
| 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.
Qualifications
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.
Specialized 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
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.
Application Info
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 references with contact information
All application materials should be submitted in one combined PDF. Completed applications should be emailed to efile_cabral@casd.uscourts.gov with the subject line: 26-04 Law Clerk Application.
The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.