Position: Judicial Law Clerk - Term
Annual Salary: JS 11-13, $69,107 - $98,496 (depending on qualifications)
Position Location: Erie, PA
Application Deadline: Open until filled

Position Summary:
The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania (the “Court”) is accepting applications for a full-time, 40 hour per week Judicial Law Clerk - Term position in our Erie Office. The position involves extensive research and writing on a wide range of issues that arise in federal bankruptcy proceedings. The successful candidate will substantively review pleadings, prepare bench memos, draft opinions and orders on pending matters, and perform additional duties including verifying citations, managing the case docket, office management, and other legal and administrative duties as assigned. This is a one-year appointment, with optional extensions at the Judge’s discretion. More than one position may be filled through this announcement.

Duties:
Include, but are not limited to the following:

• Prepare pre-hearing case summaries and post-hearing proceeding memos;
• Perform legal research and prepare legal memoranda and orders;
• Assist the Judge during courtroom proceedings;
• Monitor and prepare quarterly status reports on pending cases;
• Demonstrate a proficiency in computer technical skills and serve as the liaison when interfacing with the Court’s IT personnel; and,
• Supervise and manage the intern program maintained in Chambers.
  

Minimum Qualifications:
For consideration, applicants must be law school graduates with strong academic records (graduating in the top 25% of their law school class) and possess excellent legal research, analytical, and writing skills. Preference will be given to those who possess at least two years of post-graduate legal work experience. The ability to conduct computer-assisted legal research and word processing is required. Applicants should possess and demonstrate familiarity with MS Office (primarily Word, Excel, and PowerPoint). Excellent interpersonal and organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple tasks, are essential.

To qualify for appointment at a JS Grade 11, Step 1 ($69,107), an applicant must be a law school graduate. For this position, an applicant must also possess the equivalent of one year of full-time legal work experience after graduation from law school. Substitutions for the one year of experience are permitted and include the following:

• Graduation in the upper third of a law school class;
• Experience on the editorial board of a law review or publication of a noteworthy article in a law school student or scholarly publication;
• Special high-level honors for academic excellence in law school, such as election to the Order of the Coif;
• Winning of a moot court competition or membership on a moot court or trial team that represents the law school in competition with other law schools;
• Participation in the legal aid or other law school clinical program; or,
• Summer experience as a law clerk to a Federal or State judge, or law clerk experience on a continuous basis in a private firm while attending law school.
  

For appointment at a JS Grade 12, Step 1 ($82,830), an applicant must meet the qualifications for a JS Grade 11, possess one additional year of full-time legal work experience after graduation from law school (no substitutions permitted), AND be a member of the Bar of a state, territory, or Federal Court of general jurisdiction.

For appointment at a JS Grade 13, Step 1 ($98,496), an applicant must meet the qualifications for a JS Grade 12 and possess at least one additional year of full-time legal work experience after graduation from law school (no substitutions permitted).

Judicial law clerks are also responsible for clerical/administrative duties. The position involves interaction with staff of the Clerk’s office and members of the Bar. The incumbent communicates with counsel, court officials, and litigants regarding procedural requirements and may perform additional duties at the discretion of the Judge.

Benefits:
Employees of the Court are entitled to the following benefits: optional participation in a variety of Federal health, dental, vision, and life insurance plans; optional participation in the flexible spending and parking reimbursement programs; annual leave (vacation) and sick leave accruals; and eleven (11) paid holidays per calendar year.

Miscellaneous:
Employees of the Court serve under “Excepted Appointment” and are considered “At-Will” employees. This position is considered a sensitive position. Appointment is provisional and retention is contingent upon the successful completion of an appropriate background check.

How to Apply:
Qualified candidates may submit application materials through OSCAR, the central online system, at: https://oscar.uscourts.gov. At the home page, click on the Registration tab and follow the Applicant instructions. Applicants will be required to submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, law grade sheet, and three reference letters. Before an offer of employment is made, references must be provided for any current and previous places of employment.

Please contact the Court’s Human Resources Department with questions: (412) 355-2558.

The Court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement, or to withdraw the announcement, any of which may occur without prior written or other notice. Only qualified applicants will be considered for this position. Participation in the interview process will be at the applicant’s own expense and relocation expenses will not be provided.

EOE