Career Law Clerk to United States Bankruptcy Judge

Summary

The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Alabama is accepting applications for a career law clerk in Huntsville. A career law clerk performs substantive legal research, writing, and review of matters pending before the Court and has extensive knowledge of the Bankruptcy Code, the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, and court practice. A career law clerk must have strong organizational skills, pay attention to details, and can manage multiple assignments and deadlines.

Duties

The Career Law Clerk's responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Drafting orders, memorandum opinions, and other documents; Assisting with the preparation of dockets; Performing legal research; Reviewing and scheduling pleadings filed in Chapter 11 cases, Chapter 12 cases, and Adversary Proceedings; Monitoring deadlines; Attending and assisting with courtroom proceedings and case administration; Drafting continuing legal education material; Assisting with the review and electronic signature of orders; Maintaining and updating the Court's judicial conflict list; Drafting the court calendar; Assisting with administrative tasks of chambers; Working cooperatively with other members of chambers staff and employees of the bankruptcy clerk; and Performing other duties as assigned by the Court.

Qualifications

For appointment at JSP Grade 11, an applicant must be a law school graduate at the time of appointment (or be certified as having completed all law school studies and requirements and merely awaiting conferment of degree) from a law school of recognized standing, 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 on the editorial board of law review 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 the equivalent of one of the above. For appointment at a JSP Grade 12, 13 or 14, an applicant must also be a member of the Bar of a federal, state, or territorial court of general jurisdiction, and must possess the following year(s) of full-time legal work experience after graduation from law school: JSP 12 - one year of legal work experience; JSP 13 - two years of legal work experience; JSP 14 - three years of legal work experience (two of the three required years of legal work experience must have been served in the federal judiciary).

Education

Law school graduate at the time of appointment (or be certified as having completed all law school studies and requirements and merely awaiting conferment of degree) from a law school of recognized standing.

How You Will Be Evaluated

Applicants will be evaluated on their qualifications and ability to perform the duties of the position satisfactorily.

Required Documents

A cover letter; A current resume; One writing sample (10 pages or less); Contact information for up to three professional references; A completed Federal Judicial Branch Application for Employment (AO-78); and A school transcript, if applicable (an unofficial transcript or grade sheet is acceptable).

How to Apply

To be considered, qualified applicants must submit, and the Court must receive, the application via email to hsvresume@alnb.uscourts.gov. Please reference Vacancy Announcement 2026-04 on your email and cover letter.

What to Expect Next

Only qualified applicants will be considered for this position, and only the best-qualified applicants will be selected for an interview.

For appointment at JSP Grade 11, an applicant must be a law school graduate at the time of appointment (or be certified as having completed all law school studies and requirements and merely awaiting conferment of degree) from a law school of recognized standing, 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 on the editorial board of law review 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 the equivalent of one of the above. For appointment at a JSP Grade 12, 13 or 14, an applicant must also be a member of the Bar of a federal, state, or territorial court of general jurisdiction, and must possess the following year(s) of full-time legal work experience after graduation from law school: JSP 12 - one year of legal work experience; JSP 13 - two years of legal work experience; JSP 14 - three years of legal work experience (two of the three required years of legal work experience must have been served in the federal judiciary).