The U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas is accepting applications for a Term Law Clerk position to Aileen Goldman Durrett, U.S. magistrate judge, for a term running from September 2027 to September 2028. The term law clerk provides critical support by conducting legal research and preparing legal memoranda, orders and draft opinions on both civil and criminal cases.

A Juris Doctor degree and prior law clerk experience is required. To qualify for the position of law clerk on the personal staff of a federal judge, a person must be a law school graduate (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 quarter (top 25%) 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 a 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. To qualify for level JSP Grade 12, an individual must have one year of legal work experience after graduation from law school and must be a member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory, or federal court of general jurisdiction. To qualify for level JSP Grade 13, an individual must possess two years of legal work experience after graduation from law school and must be a member in good standing of the bar of a state, territory, or federal court of general jurisdiction.

The court has a varied civil docket including patent, civil rights, employment, and admiralty cases in addition to a full criminal docket. Graduation from an accredited law school required; top 25% of class and current law license preferred. Two years post graduate experience in actual litigation is also preferred. Ability to analyze and research issues quickly, and then to write clearly, is essential. Preference will be given to those who possess two or more years of post-graduate legal work experience, case-management skills and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively in a production-oriented, high-volume work environment.

• Eleven paid holidays
• Optional participation in the Federal Employee’s Health Benefits Program, the Federal Employees Vision and Dental Insurance Program and the Federal Employee’s Group Life Insurance Program
• Optional participation in the pre-tax flexible spending accounts program

A successful candidate should possess good judgment and good analytical skills; should demonstrate initiative; should possess a strong work ethic; should maintain a professional appearance and demeanor; should be able to work quickly and harmoniously with others in a team-based environment; and must be able to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing. This position requires excellent attendance, punctuality, and flexibility with work hours. Successful candidates will be expected to assist the judge and staff in managing the docket in a professional, organized manner while exercising complete discretion in the handling of confidential and sensitive matters.

Please send the following documents as a single pdf with the reference number (2026-21 Term Law Clerk) in the subject line via email to: hr@txed.uscourts.gov

• Cover letter
• AO 78 Application for Judicial Branch Federal Employment with Optional Background Information (questions 19, 20, and 21) completed.
• Resume
• Original writing sample, unedited by anyone else (at least 10 pages in length)
• Grade sheet from Undergraduate School and any graduate education grade sheet
• Three professional references

Please print or type all information. If your application does not provide all information requested, or if your application packet is not complete or late, you may lose consideration for this position.

Only qualified applicants will be considered for this position. Applicants selected for interviews must travel at their own expense and relocation expenses will not be reimbursed.