As you begin your legal career, consider gaining valuable experience through a judicial clerkship or staff attorney position with the United States Courts.
The Unites States Courts are composed of 13 circuits and 94 districts across the country, including appellate courts, district courts, bankruptcy courts, and courts of special jurisdiction, as well as probation and pretrial services offices and federal public defenders' offices. The federal courts have jurisdiction over cases involving the United States government, the Constitution or federal laws, and controversies between states, between citizens of different states, or between the United States government and foreign governments.
As a law clerk or staff attorney with the United States Courts, you can play an important role in helping safeguard the constitutional rights and liberties of the public.
Law Clerks
Law clerks work for one judge as a member of the chambers staff, or on behalf of the court for pro se, death penalty, or bankruptcy appellate panel cases.
Duties and Qualifications of Law Clerks
Salary and Benefits
To learn more about salaries and benefits for law clerks, click here.
Staff Attorneys
Staff attorneys work for multiple judges in an appellate staff attorney office in a court of appeals.
Duties and Qualifications of Staff Attorneys
Salary and Benefits
To learn more about salaries and benefits for staff attorneys, click here.
Many former law clerks and staff attorneys find that the prestige and experience associated with service as a law clerk or staff attorney broadens their future employment opportunities.
This is the best experience I could possibly have right out of law school."
It’s the most rewarding experience I can imagine as a young lawyer."
Ask anyone who’s ever been a law clerk for a federal judge and I think they’re likely to tell you it’s the best job they’ve ever had."
Want to search and apply for a law clerk or staff attorney position? Create an account in OSCAR!
More Information
Additional Resources
- Access the Applicant Prep Kit
- Download the Law Clerk Duties and Qualifications slides
- Download the Staff Attorney Duties and Qualifications slides
- Download the infographic below on starting your career with the United States Courts (PDF)
Contact the OSCAR Program Office
- Email: oscar-support@ao.uscourts.gov
- Phone: 866-666-2120
- Hours: Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)
- Website: www.oscar.uscourts.gov
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This page is maintained by the Administrative Office of the United States Courts on behalf on the Federal Judiciary.
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