Job Details for Term Law Clerk
| Court Name/Organization | Kentucky Western Bankruptcy Court |
| Overview of the Position | Judge Mary Elisabeth Naumann of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Kentucky is accepting applications for a full-time Term Law Clerk. A Law Clerk to a U.S. Bankruptcy Judge will perform substantive reviews, legal research, and writing on matters pending before the court. |
| Location | Louisville, KY |
| Opening and Closing Dates | 03/16/2026 - 05/06/2026 |
| Appointment Type | Temporary |
| Classification Level/Grade | JS 11 - JS 13 |
| Salary | $74,678 - $138,370 |
| Announcement Number | 26-02 |
Position Description
- Performs legal research and draft legal documents pertaining to bankruptcy proceedings. Review electronic case files prior to hearings and proceedings.
- Determine issues involved and the basis for relief involved by reviewing motions, applications, petitions, complaints, and other filed pleadings. Drafts proposed opinions, memorandum decisions, and orders.
- Assist the judge by reviewing orders and during court proceedings. Presents cases and motions to the judge and offers a proposed recommendation and/or decision.
- Perform any administrative function needed by the court. Actively observe any changes in the law and brief the judge.
- Performs other day-to-day law clerk duties as assigned. Travel to Paducah, Owensboro, and/or Bowling Green, KY, as needed.
Qualifications
Minimum: To qualify for the position of law clerk on the personal staff of a federal judge, an applicant 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 a standing within the top 20 percent of their law school class from a law school on the approved list of either the American Bar Association or the Association of American Law Schools.
Preferred: Bankruptcy law education preferred but not required. Secured transactions education preferred but not required. Applicants should be able to work collaboratively, be comfortable with a small work team, and facilitate a friendly work environment.
Employee Benefits
Law Clerks appointed to term appointments who work a full-time work schedule for at least one year are eligible for health, dental, and vision insurance, and eleven (11) paid Federal holidays. Term law clerks are not eligible to participate in the Federal Employees Retirement System or the Thrift Savings Plan. Term law clerks are exempt from the provisions of 5 U.S.C. chapter 63, subchapter I (“Annual and Sick Leave,” formerly referred to as the “Leave Act”).
Miscellaneous
- Performs legal research and draft legal documents pertaining to bankruptcy proceedings. Review electronic case files prior to hearings and proceedings.
- Determine issues involved and the basis for relief involved by reviewing motions, applications, petitions, complaints, and other filed pleadings. Drafts proposed opinions, memorandum decisions, and orders.
- Assist the judge by reviewing orders and during court proceedings. Presents cases and motions to the judge and offers a proposed recommendation and/or decision.
- Perform any administrative function needed by the court. Actively observe any changes in the law and brief the judge.
- Performs other day-to-day law clerk duties as assigned. Travel to Paducah, Owensboro, and/or Bowling Green, KY, as needed.
Application Info
Applicants must apply through the Online System for Clerkship Application and Review (OSCAR).
Each applicant should submit the following application package through OSCAR:
1) Cover letter
2) Detailed resume
3) Copy of law school transcript and bar membership, if applicable
4) Three professional references with contact information
5) A legal writing sample
An application will be considered complete when all the required documents are properly submitted as instructed above.
Only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. Candidates selected for interviews must travel at their own expense. The court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement, withdraw the announcement, or fill the position at any time, any of which may occur without prior written notice.
The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.