Law Clerk for the Oregon Court of Appeals

State of Oregon•Salem, OR

1d•$84,501 - $97,822•Hybrid

About The Position

Oregon Court of Appeals judges are hiring for post-graduate law clerk positions for an immediate hire – starting July/August 2026. This is separate from the already posted annual Law Clerk recruitment for a starting date of August 2027. 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. The Oregon Court of Appeals is our state's intermediate appellate court. With the exception of a limited number of appeals that go directly to the Oregon Supreme Court--most notably death penalty cases, ballot title cases, lawyer discipline matters, and tax court cases--the Court of Appeals reviews appeals on every subject from Oregon's trial courts and administrative agencies. The Court has a high caseload compared to its number of judges and staff, which means that the Court's workload is very demanding. And for the vast majority of Oregon cases, it is the court of last resort. Because the Court of Appeals hears a wide variety of cases, you will gain familiarity and experience with many different areas of law. The court has 13 judges and typically employs 22 to 24 law clerks at any given time. Court of Appeals law clerks are generally hired to work with a particular judge. While the exact role of a clerk will differ among chambers, most of your time will be spent researching, writing, reviewing, and editing. Examples of common tasks for clerks include researching discrete legal issues, writing case-related legal memoranda, preparing bench memos prior to oral arguments, and preparing draft opinions. Clerks also are responsible for the final editing prior to publication for most of the court's decisions, which requires meticulous proofreading and cite checking. Clerks can expect to discuss legal issues and draft opinions with their judge and can be called upon to work with their judge to critically examine the research and proposed outcome for a case. Judges on the Court of Appeals sit in three-judge panels, and clerks attend pre-and post-argument conferences where the judges share preliminary thoughts on the cases and arguments. The Court of Appeals has a robust training program, so clerks can connect with peers across chambers as they learn how best to do the vital work of the Court. In general, the judges are looking for law clerks who are skilled writers, critical thinkers, and who excel at legal research. Because clerks are closely involved in the resolution of cases, judges must be able to trust their work and their judgment, and that clerks will effectively and respectfully communicate differing views on legal analysis or outcomes to ensure that the judge has all the necessary information to make the correct decision. It is also important for clerks to be able to respectfully engage with different viewpoints and positions, and to be open to changing their mind about an initial position. Law clerks are expected to handle and safeguard information that may be disturbing, controversial, or confidential, and the Court expects that clerks will uphold the highest standard of ethics. The law clerk role comes with many benefits, including opportunities to: Develop practical skills, such as researching, writing, editing, and exercising sound judgment; Gain familiarity with a variety of areas of procedural and substantive law, both state and federal; Hone the ability to efficiently learn new areas of law and manage multiple projects; Observe and learn from different styles of advocacy in briefs and oral arguments; Help resolve novel, complex, and important legal issues; Work closely with judges and other experienced legal experts with diverse legal backgrounds; Attend trainings and continuing legal education programs; Connect with members of the Oregon legal community; and Be part of a team committed to public service and access to justice for all. The mission of the Oregon judicial branch is to provide fair and accessible justice services that protect the rights of individuals, preserve community welfare, and inspire public confidence. As part of that mission, we are committed to building a diverse, inclusive staff to reflect the diversity of the people we serve across the state.

Requirements

Juris Doctor degree (or equivalent) from an ABA-accredited law school by the start of the clerkship
Skilled writers
Critical thinkers
Excel at legal research
Ability to trust their work and judgment
Effectively and respectfully communicate differing views on legal analysis or outcomes
Respectfully engage with different viewpoints and positions
Open to changing their mind about an initial position
Handle and safeguard information that may be disturbing, controversial, or confidential
Uphold the highest standard of ethics

Nice To Haves

Writing sample that contains legal analysis
Writing sample that is 5-7 pages

Responsibilities

Research discrete legal issues
Write case-related legal memoranda
Prepare bench memos prior to oral arguments
Prepare draft opinions
Final editing prior to publication for most of the court's decisions, which requires meticulous proofreading and cite checking
Discuss legal issues and draft opinions with their judge
Work with their judge to critically examine the research and proposed outcome for a case
Attend pre- and post-argument conferences where the judges share preliminary thoughts on the cases and arguments

Benefits

Paid holidays
Vacation
Sick leave
Health insurance
Participation in the Oregon Public Employee Retirement System (after six months' employment)
Eligible for bar dues payments up to the cost of bar dues for the Oregon State Bar (for members of the bar)
Opportunities to develop practical skills, such as researching, writing, editing, and exercising sound judgment
Gain familiarity with a variety of areas of procedural and substantive law, both state and federal
Hone the ability to efficiently learn new areas of law and manage multiple projects
Observe and learn from different styles of advocacy in briefs and oral arguments
Help resolve novel, complex, and important legal issues
Work closely with judges and other experienced legal experts with diverse legal backgrounds
Attend trainings and continuing legal education programs
Connect with members of the Oregon legal community
Be part of a team committed to public service and access to justice for all
Public Service Loan Forgiveness