The United States District Court has announced a job opening for the position of Term Law Clerk to Judge Daniel M. Traynor in Bismarck, North Dakota. The two-year term will begin in August 2027, with a salary range from $74,678 to $106,437 depending on qualifications and experience.
The law clerk’s primary responsibilities include researching substantive issues of federal and state law, drafting legal memoranda, opinions and orders, preparing the judge for hearings and trials, assisting with case management, and providing legal counsel and support. The announcement states that the successful candidate is expected to “exhibit the highest standards of excellence and integrity.”
Applicants must have strong academic credentials from an ABA-accredited law school as well as exceptional research and writing skills. The court requires adherence to professional conduct rules and judicial canons regarding confidentiality. Candidates must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents seeking citizenship.
Additional qualifications may include standing in the upper third of one’s law school class; editorial board experience on a law review or moot court board; graduation with an LLM degree; publication of scholarly articles; receipt of honors such as election to the Order of the Coif or Barristers; success in advocacy competitions; prior judicial clerkship experience; or at least one year as a practicing attorney.
Benefits offered include federal holidays, life and health insurance, Health Savings Accounts, and mandatory direct deposit for paychecks. However, this role does not carry tenure rights associated with competitive Civil Service positions.
Candidates selected for employment will be required to undergo an FBI background check or investigation including a social media inquiry before final appointment.
Applications are accepted until the position is filled. Applicants should submit a cover letter, résumé, completed form AO-78 (available at http://www.uscourts.gov/forms/AO078.pdf), writing sample, academic transcripts from undergraduate and law schools, three references, and up to three optional letters of recommendation by email in PDF format to ndd_jobs@ndd.uscourts.gov.
The United States District Court is described as an Equal Opportunity Employer that maintains strict confidentiality throughout its hiring process.
