Overview
Career Law Clerk to United States Bankruptcy Judge (DSC) Jobs in Birmingham, AL at U.S. Courts
Summary
The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Southern Division (DSC), is accepting applications for a career law clerk. A career law clerk to a United States Bankruptcy Judge performs substantive research, writing, and review on matters pending before the Court, and he or she should have knowledge of the Bankruptcy Code, the Federal Rules of Bankruptcy Procedure, and the practice of law. Preference will be given to applications received by September 30, 2026.
Learn more about this agency
This job is open to
The public
U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.
Duties
A career law clerk’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Drafting opinions, oral rulings, orders, and other documents;
- Assisting with the preparation of dockets;
- Performing legal research;
- Reviewing schedules, pleadings, and other filings in commercial and consumer bankruptcy cases and adversary proceedings;
- Monitoring deadlines, case activity, and the court calendar;
- Attending courtroom proceedings and assisting with case oversight;
- Assisting with the judge’s review and electronic signature of orders;
- Assisting with the Court’s judicial conflict list;
- Assisting with administrative tasks of chambers;
- Drafting continuing legal education materials;
- Working cooperatively with the judge, other members of chambers staff, and employees of the bankruptcy clerk;
- Overseeing the work performed by the term law clerk and intern(s); and
- Performing other duties as assigned by the Court.
Requirements
Conditions of employment
- Applicants must be U.S. citizens.
- The applicant selected will be subject to a background check and a subsequent favorable suitability determination. An applicant may be hired provisionally pending successful completion of the necessary background check.
- Law clerks are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees as well as human resource policies of the Judiciary. The Code of Conduct is available at https://www.uscourts.gov/rules-policies/judiciary-policies/code-conduct/code-conduct-judicial-employees.
- This position is subject to mandatory electronic funds transfer participation for payment of net pay.
Qualifications
Applicants must have strong legal research, writing, analytical, and organizational skills. Attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple assignments and deadlines are additional skills that an applicant should possess. There are daily interactions with the judge, members of his judicial staff, and employees of the bankruptcy clerk’s office.
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 or practice, 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.
Additional information
- A career law clerk is an “at will” employee serving at the discretion and instruction of the judge. Accordingly, a career law clerk’s employment may be terminated “at will” by either the judge or the employee.
- The Court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this Announcement or to withdraw this Announcement without any prior written notice or other notice.
The United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of Alabama, Southern Division, is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
Career law clerks are eligible for federal employment benefits, including paid federal holidays, paid leave, health insurance, dental and vision insurance, life insurance, flexible spending benefits, and retirement benefits.
Review our benefits
How you will be evaluated
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
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.
See ‘How to Apply’ for instructions.
If you are relying on your education to meet qualification requirements:
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
How to Apply
Applicants may email your information to [email protected]; or alternatively, this Announcement will be posted at https://oscar.uscourts.gov/, the Online System for Clerkship Application and Review (OSCAR). Applicants may instead submit your information through the OSCAR website on or before September 30, 2026.
Please reference Vacancy Announcement 2026-05 on your email and cover letter. If selected for this position, additional documents such as Form AO-78 and a copy of your school transcripts will likely be required.
Agency contact information
Human Resources
Address
US Bankruptcy Court – Northern District of Alabama
Robert S. Vance Federal Building
1800 5th Avenue North
Birmingham, AL 35203
US
Next steps
Only qualified applicants will be considered for this position, and only the best-qualified applicants will be selected for interview. Interviews will be held remotely via Microsoft TEAMS or locally in Birmingham, Alabama, after the closing date of this Vacancy Announcement. Neither travel expenses nor relocation expenses will be reimbursed.
Overview
Accepting applications
Location
1 vacancy in the following location:
Birmingham, AL
No matching locations found.
Work site options
Telework eligible
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Remote job
No
Relocation expenses reimbursed
No
Salary
$75,431 – $165,162 per year
Pay scale & grade
JS 11 – 14
Promotion potential
None
Learn more about pay scale and grade
Pay scale and grade determines the salary of the job.
Work schedule
Full-time
Travel Required
Not required
Appointment type
Permanent – Full-time position with Career designation.
Occupations and job series
- 0904 Law Clerk
Supervisory status
No
Federal service type
This job is in the Excepted Service
Represented by a union
No
Drug test
No
Security clearance
Other
Financial disclosure required
No
Some jobs require financial disclosure to identify conflicts of interests.
Announcement number
26-05
Control number
882891500
Title: Career Law Clerk to United States Bankruptcy Judge (DSC)
Company: U.S. Courts
Location: Birmingham, AL
Category:
