Law Clerk

State of Oregon

312d • $6,870 - $7,953

About The Position

The Oregon Supreme Court and Oregon Court of Appeals are hiring for post-graduate law clerk positions that begin in August 2026. The positions are full-time and limited duration, typically for a period of two years. However, some judges may choose to hire clerks for only a one-year term, and a one-year option is available by joint agreement between the hiring judge and the clerk before the start of the clerkship. Our law clerk positions provide a unique opportunity for law school graduates to both employ and improve their analytical, research, and writing skills, while working closely with judges, staff attorneys, and other staff to resolve all manner of cases that come before the courts. Our work is complex, interesting, and ever-changing, and it is a critical component of our state's judicial branch operations. Law clerks participate in many different and important steps in the case-resolution process.

Requirements

• Must have a Juris Doctor degree (or equivalent) from an ABA-accredited law school by the start of the clerkship.
• Skilled in legal research and writing.
• Ability to critically examine research and proposed outcomes for cases.
• Ability to communicate differing views on legal analysis or outcomes effectively and respectfully.
• Ability to handle and safeguard confidential information.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in legal writing and analysis.
• Familiarity with various areas of procedural and substantive law.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects.

Responsibilities

• Assist judges with petitions for review and opinions assigned to their chambers.
• Research and write petition memoranda and draft opinions.
• Engage in extensive discussion, editing, and proofreading.
• Prepare final opinion summaries and media releases.
• Participate in community outreach, including leading tours of the Supreme Court building.
• Attend oral arguments and share experiences with students and community members.
• Research discrete legal issues and write case-related legal memoranda.
• Prepare bench memos prior to oral arguments and draft opinions.
• Engage in extensive proofreading and cite checking of drafted opinions.

Benefits

• Annual salary range from $82,440 – 95,436.
• Paid holidays, vacation, and sick leave.
• Health insurance benefits.
• Participation in the Oregon Public Employee Retirement System after six months of employment.
• Bar dues payments for members of the bar up to the cost of bar dues for the Oregon State Bar.
• Opportunities for training and continuing legal education programs.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree