Job Details for Term Law Clerk
| Court Name/Organization | Ohio Southern District Court |
| Overview of the Position | The U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio, invites applications for the position of Term Law Clerk to the Thomas M. Rose, U.S. District Judge. Although this position is a two-year term, upon mutual agreement between the law clerk and judge, the position may be extended. |
| Location | Dayton, OH |
| Opening and Closing Dates | 10/05/2026 - Open Until Filled |
| Appointment Type | Temporary |
| Classification Level/Grade | JSP 11-14 |
| Salary | Not specified |
| Link to Court Careers Information | https://www.ohsd.uscourts.gov/career-opportunities |
| Announcement Number | 26-18 |
| Link to Job Announcement | |
Position Description
The Southern District of Ohio covers a broad geographic area encompassing forty-eight urban and rural counties from just north of Columbus south to the Ohio River. The District is comprised of over 260 individuals including twenty-seven Judicial Officers, as well as Chambers staff, Clerk’s Office staff, U.S. Probation Office’s staff and U.S. Pretrial Services Office’s staff, located in the Cincinnati, Columbus and Dayton Courthouses.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Conduct legal research
- Review case records and filings, and analyze options
- Draft legal memoranda and proposed opinions and orders
- Discuss legal analysis with the judge
- Perform case management and other duties associated with the administration of cases
- Any other duties as assigned by the judge
Qualifications
At the time of appointment, the candidate must possess the following minimum requirements:
- Law school graduate or certified as having completed all law school studies and requirements and merely awaiting conferment of degree; and
- Have one or more of the following attributes:
- 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 serving on a law review in law school and/or Moot Court experience of such a school;
- Graduation from such a school with an LLM degree; or
- Demonstrated proficiency in legal studies, which in the opinion of the judge, is equivalent to one of the above.
Employee Benefits
Please review the extensive federal benefits on the U.S. Courts website.
Miscellaneous
Conditions of Employment
A commitment to public service is essential. Visit the U.S. Courts website for citizenship requirements.
Positions with the U.S. Courts are considered “at will” and are not subject to the employment regulations of competitive service. Positions in the Federal Judiciary are excepted service appointments, are considered “at will” and can be terminated with or without cause.
The applicant selected will be subject to an FBI background check and continued employment contingent upon favorable suitability determination. A negative finding from the background check may result in termination of employment. Employees are subject to the Judicial Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees.
All information provided by applicants is subject to verification. Applicants are advised that false statements or omission(s) of information on any application materials may be grounds for non-selection, withdrawal of an offer of employment or dismissal after being employed.
The Federal Financial Management Reform Act requires direct deposit of federal wages.
Application Info
Interested attorneys should send a cover letter, resume, a writing sample, law school transcript, and three references to Rose_Chambers@ohsd.uscourts.gov. Judge Rose will consider applications on a rolling basis until such time as the position is filled.
Travel and relocation expenses will not be reimbursed.
The U.S. District Court reserves the right to amend or withdraw any job announcement without written notice to applicants. The District reserves the right to conduct interviews at any time prior to or after the closing date for receipt of applications. Only applicants selected to receive an interview will be notified by phone or e-mail.
In the event a position becomes vacant in a similar classification, within a reasonable time from the original announcement, the District Judge may elect to select the next top-rated candidate from those who applied for the initial announcement without re-posting the position. This job announcement may involve filling more than one position described herein.
Reasonable Accommodations:
Consistent with the Judicial Conference of the United States policy, the practice of the U.S. District Court Southern District of Ohio is to give due consideration of a reasonable accommodation requested by a qualified applicant or employee with a disability unless such accommodation would cause an undue hardship. The policy regarding requests for reasonable accommodation applies to all aspects of employment, including the application process.
The federal Judiciary is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.