Job Details for Term Law Clerk
| Court Name/Organization | Indiana Southern District Court |
| Overview of the Position | The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana is accepting applications for a full-time judicial law clerk to Magistrate Judge Mark J. Dinsmore and his successor Magistrate Judge Liberty L. Roberts. Primary responsibilities include conducting legal research and drafting orders and opinions in civil cases. The position also requires the performance of administrative duties as needed, as well as special projects. Employment will commence as soon as practicable and will last through September, 2027, with a possible extension through September, 2028. Starting salary is dependent on qualifications, prior years of legal work experience, and bar admission. For appointment at JSP Grade 12, the applicant must have one year of legal work experience and bar membership. For appointment at JSP Grade 13, the applicant must have two years of legal work experience and bar membership. Salary may be higher with previous experience as a law clerk to a federal judge. |
| Location | Indianapolis, IN |
| Opening and Closing Dates | 08/21/2026 - 09/02/2026 |
| Appointment Type | Permanent |
| Classification Level/Grade | JSP 11-13 |
| Salary | $75,374 - $107,428 |
| Link to Job Announcement | |
Qualifications
Applicants should have the following minimum qualifications: (1) law school graduation; (2) law review or other significant legal writing experience; (3) good character, maturity, and an eagerness to work as part of a small, close-knit team; (4) excellent skills in research, writing, proofreading, communication, and source and cite checking (including use of proper Bluebook form); and (5) proficiency in Westlaw and/or Lexis. Prior law clerk experience, experience researching and writing motions, memoranda of law, and appellate briefs in federal court, or post-graduate litigation experience are highly valued. Candidates must demonstrate an ability and willingness to work closely with others and maintain confidentiality.
Application Info
Applicants may apply via Oscar or by email attaching the following documentation in one PDF document to: HRsubmit@insd.uscourts.gov
- Cover letter
- Résumé, including email and telephone contact information
- Contact information for references from three work-related sources
- Writing sample (no more than 15 pages)
- Law school transcript
- Completed AO 78 Application for Judicial Branch Federal Employment (application form is on the court website www.insd.uscourts.gov)
Be sure to include your surname and the words "Dinsmore/Roberts - Term Law Clerk" in the email subject line. The deadline for receipt of applications is Sept. 2, 2026. Faxed and mailed résumés will not be accepted. Initial interviews are typically conducted via Zoom. Some applicants may be invited for an in-person interview. Costs will be borne by the applicant. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and a selection may be made prior to the Application Deadline.
The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.