The U.S. District Court for the District of Colorado has an opening for a judicial law clerk (term) in the chambers of U.S.
Magistrate Judge Kathryn Starnella, with a start date of October 6, 2025. This term is expected to last two years, starting
on October 6, 2025, and ending on September 30, 2027.
The term law clerk supports the Judge in managing a busy civil docket. The term law clerk also researches legal issues, drafts
judicial orders and recommendations, prepares pre-hearing bench memoranda that identify issues for the Judge and
questions for the parties, and otherwise assists the Judge in preparing for and conducting discovery conferences, hearings,
settlement conferences, mediations, and trials in consent cases. The term law clerk also must maintain a courteous and
professional demeanor within chambers, the Court, the bar, and with the public at large.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
To qualify for a JSP 11/1, 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
demonstrated one of the following accomplishments or proficiencies:
(a) Standing within the upper third 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;
(b) Experience on the editorial board of a law review of such a school;
(c) Graduation from such a school with an LLM degree; or
(d) Proficiency in legal studies that, in the opinion of the appointing judge, is the equivalent of one of the
above.
To qualify for a JSP 12/1, a person must meet the above but also have at least one year of full-time legal work experience
after graduation from law school and must be a member of the bar of a state, territorial, or federal court of general
jurisdiction.
To qualify for a JSP 13/1, a person must meet the above but also have at least two years of full-time legal work experience
after graduation from law school and must be a member of the bar of a state, territorial, or federal court of general
jurisdiction.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Judge Starnella prefers applicants who have at least one of the following:
(a) At least two years of active federal litigation experience after graduation from law school,
(b) At least one year of experience as a judicial law clerk for a federal district or magistrate judge,
(c) Graduation in the top third of the law school class, or
(d) Experience on the editorial board of a law review of such a school.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Term law clerk appointments are limited to a total of four years, including all previous appointments held under a federal
term law clerk capacity. Term law clerks are subject to social security deductions and are eligible for health, dental, vision,
and life insurance coverage. Term law clerks are not eligible to participate in the federal employee’s retirement system
(FERS) or the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). Based on the judge’s discretion, term law clerks may or may not be placed on the
Leave Act. Please visit Benefits Overview to view all federal judiciary employee benefits.
All employees must adhere to the judiciary’s Code of Conduct. In addition, this position is subject to mandatory fund
transfer (EFT) participation, adherence to 8 U.S.C. § 1324b(a)(3)(B) regarding hiring of lawful permanent residents, and an
FBI fingerprint and/or background check. Employees of the United States Courts are not included in the government’s Civil
Service classification and are considered “at will” employees. The Court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this
vacancy announcement, or to withdraw the announcement, any of which may occur without prior written or other notice.
The judge may administer a writing exercise to finalists, to assist in the selection process.
HOW TO APPLY
Applicants must apply online through OSCAR. Through OSCAR, each applicant should submit:
1. Cover letter;
2. Current résumé;
3. Application form AO78 (Download it here). Save and upload application as “Resume” through OSCAR. All
applicants for this position must also complete the “Optional Background Information” section of the AO78 (page
5) for consideration;
4. Two substantial writing samples that are substantially your own work, with at most minimal edits by others;
5. Law school and undergraduate transcripts;
6. Contact information for three professional references.