Law Clerk I with Judge Alexander W. Samuels

Arizona Court of Appeals•Phoenix, AZ

16h

About The Position

The Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One is hiring a full-time, exempt Law Clerk I for Judge Alexander W. Samuels. This is a temporary position scheduled for 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, eight hours per day, with a salary of $60,170. The role reports to the Judicial Officer and works under the direction of the Chambers Judge. The clerkship is to begin as soon as possible. Applications are accepted from law school graduates and practicing attorneys; current law students may apply if they expect to graduate before the employment start date. The clerk’s primary responsibility is to review briefs and court records and prepare proposed decisions in assigned cases. Working with the judge and other court personnel, the clerk researches and analyzes legal issues, may present a proposed decision to a panel of judges, and assists with editing and citation checking. The position offers direct work with judges and staff lawyers on complex legal issues and opportunities to develop legal writing and analytical skills. The role also involves attending oral arguments and conferences, taking notes on cases presented, serving as a bailiff for oral arguments, and using court case-management and collaboration systems. Other assigned work may include research and writing on case law, statutes, and special-action requests. Clerks share administrative responsibilities with the Judicial Assistant and may have general supervisory responsibilities for chamber externs. Clerks must comply with the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees and maintain confidentiality regarding pending cases and court processes. The work takes place in a typical office setting with frequent contact with judges and court staff; noise is usually quiet to moderate. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States full-time at the start of employment. Application materials include a cover letter, resume, law school transcript, writing sample of no more than five pages, and two or three letters of recommendation. The first review date is November 2, 2026, though interviews may take place as applications are received.

Requirements

Law school graduate, or current law student expected to graduate before the employment start date.
Bachelor’s degree (B.A./B.S.).
Law degree from an accredited college or university and law school.
Knowledge and understanding of law, court procedures, and court systems.
Knowledge of legal research tools such as Westlaw and LexisNexis.
Ability to work professionally in a busy environment.
High ethical standards and ability to maintain confidentiality about pending court cases and business processes.
Ability to organize and manage multiple projects and adapt to changes in responsibilities, duties, and procedures through cross-training.
Superior verbal and written communication skills.
Superior research and analytical skills.
Initiative and sound judgment in decision-making.
Close attention to detail, proofreading, and accuracy.
Excellent interpersonal skills in varied situations.
Skill in citation formatting.
Ability to carry out written, oral, and diagrammed instructions using common sense and understanding.
Ability to address problems involving several variables in standardized situations.
Ability to apply knowledge and experience to cases using parallels from other cases and deductive reasoning.
Authorization to work in the United States on a full-time basis at the start of employment.

Nice To Haves

Legal experience, including work as a lawyer, extern, or intern.
Other professional experience, particularly involving research and writing.

Responsibilities

Review briefs and court records in assigned cases.
Analyze records and legal issues and conduct legal research.
Draft proposed written decisions for consideration by judges, in consultation with the assigned judge as appropriate.
Present proposed decisions to the panel when requested and summarize relevant facts and legal analysis.
Review trial-court records and answer judges’ questions about the record.
Assist with post-conference editing and citation checking of draft decisions.
Attend oral arguments and participate in judicial conferences.
Take notes on cases presented during conferences.
Access and use the Court’s case-management system, SharePoint, and Office 365.
Serve as bailiff for oral arguments.
Conduct other assigned projects, including case-law or statutory research and assistance with special-action requests.
Share administrative responsibilities with the Chambers Judicial Assistant.
Provide general supervision to externs in chambers if assigned.
Maintain confidentiality and comply with the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees.