About This Position
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia is one of the busiest federal district courts in the country. We are accepting applications for a court law clerk to serve a term of one year in Atlanta, Georgia, which may be extended but is contingent on, among other things, funding and law clerk term limits. This position will require in-person attendance, although working remotely on certain days may be allowed with supervisor approval. Employment may commence as early as 3/9/2026.
Qualifications
Applicants must not only be a graduate of a law school of recognized standing, but must also have an excellent academic record, a demonstrated proficiency in writing and legal analysis, and an ability to produce outstanding work product efficiently and under demanding time pressures. The successful candidate must have also passed the bar and acquired bar membership before their start date. To qualify for the JSP 13 level, the candidate must have at least two years of legal work experience. Legal work experience means progressively responsible experience in the practice of law, legal research, or legal administration or equivalent experience received after graduation from law school. Preference will be given to applicants with prior judicial law clerk experience, as well as those who have served on the editorial board of a law review. The job responsibilities require interaction with judges, attorneys, and other law clerks or chambers staff. The ability to work independently and communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing, is critical. Applicants must also have excellent interpersonal and organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple tasks in a timely manner.
Major Duties
Court law clerks will be primarily responsible for legal research and the preparation of draft orders and opinions. They may assist on a wide variety of challenging and complex civil and criminal cases that come before the Court. Although court law clerks may not necessarily work within any individual judge's chambers, their duties will be ultimately supervised by one or more federal judges, and their work product will be heavily relied upon.
Conditions of Employment
Applicants must be United States citizens or eligible to work in the United States. As a condition of employment, the selected candidate must successfully complete a background check with law enforcement agencies and a check of financial and credit records. All offers of employment are provisional until a full suitability determination has been made. The selectee for this position is subject to a criminal record check and satisfactory adjudication by the employing office to be eligible for employment. Due to the sensitivity of this position, candidates may be asked about their criminal history prior to receiving a tentative offer of employment. Candidates completing Form AO-78 must complete questions 18-20 regarding their criminal history. Criminal history is not in itself disqualifying. All available information, past and present, favorable and unfavorable, about the reliability and trustworthiness of an individual will be considered when making an employment suitability determination. Providing false and/or misleading information may be grounds for removal from the application and selection process, as well as disciplinary action if discovered after an individual's date of hire. The Federal Financial Reform Act requires direct deposit of federal wages for Court employees.
Education
Must be a graduate of a law school of recognized standing with an excellent academic record.
How You Will Be Evaluated
We will review your resume and supporting documents to ensure you meet the basic qualification requirements. We will evaluate each applicant who meets the basic qualifications on the information provided and evaluate your relevant professional, educational, and work experiences as it relates to fundamental competencies, identified in the Qualifications section above, required for this position.
Additional Information
This position is in the federal judiciary, not the executive branch, and therefore is not subject to the executive orders and DOGE mandates that apply only to the executive branch. Employees of the United States District Court are appointed in the excepted service, are considered "at-will" employees, and serve at the pleasure of the Court. All employees are required to adhere to a Code of Ethics and Conduct, copies of which are available upon request. THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
How to Apply
To apply for this position, qualified applicants should submit: Form AO-78, Federal Judicial Branch Application for Employment Cover letter addressing qualifications and relevant experience. Chronological resume including education, employment, and salary history. Legal writing sample not to exceed 10 pages and not heavily edited by others. Law school transcript. List of references. Submit your completed package as a single PDF electronically to: [email protected]. or via mail to: United States District Court Attn: Human Resources Manager, Vacancy #26-13 75 Ted Turner Drive, SW Room 2013 Atlanta, GA 30303-3338 This position is open until filled. Early application is encouraged.
Required Documents
Form AO-78, Federal Judicial Branch Application for Employment Cover letter addressing qualifications and relevant experience. Chronological resume including education, employment, and salary history. Legal writing sample not to exceed 10 pages and not heavily edited by others. Law school transcript. List of references.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the salary for the Court Law Clerk position at U.S. Courts?
The salary range for this position is $78,972 - $112,556/yr. This is a JS-11/13 position on the General Schedule pay scale. Actual pay may vary based on locality adjustments.
Where is the Court Law Clerk job located?
This position is located in Atlanta, Georgia. This is an on-site position.
What qualifications do I need?
Applicants must not only be a graduate of a law school of recognized standing, but must also have an excellent academic record, a demonstrated proficiency in writing and legal analysis, and an ability to produce outstanding work product efficiently and under demanding time pressures. The successful candidate must have also passed the bar and acq...
How do I apply for this position?
Apply through USAJobs.gov by clicking the 'Apply on USAJobs' button. You'll need a USAJobs account, a federal-style resume, and supporting documents. The deadline is Mar 31, 2026.
Is a security clearance required?
No security clearance is required for this position.
What does JS-11/13 mean?
JS-11/13 refers to the General Schedule grade level. Higher grades require more experience and offer higher pay. Visit our GS Pay Scale page for full salary tables by grade and locality.
What benefits do federal employees receive?
Federal employees receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (FEHB), retirement through FERS, Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) with government matching, paid annual and sick leave, paid parental leave, life insurance, and student loan repayment programs.