Judicial Law Clerk to Louise W. Flanagan, United States District Judge

Louise W. Flanagan United States District Judge for the Eastern District of North Carolina is recruiting for a Judicial Law Clerk to begin in or about March 2026 in New Bern North Carolina. The position is a one-year term law clerk position subject to renewal for a second year. The position has the possibility of converting to a career law clerk position in the future.

The Judicial Law Clerk provides legal research and writing assistance prepares bench memos assists with orders and opinions reviews and edits work by term law clerks and staff attorneys as directed and assists during trials hearings conferences and other court proceedings.

The Judicial Law Clerk is also responsible for administrative duties to include serving as principal administrative manager of chambers; regularly reviewing and managing the active case docket; training and assisting the term law clerks; assigning cases; coordinating with the clerks office probation office and other agencies; and managing chambers communications procedures and processes.

This position is being advertised at JSP 11 - 14 depending on experience.

Applications that are received by the initial cut-off date of February 6 2026 will be given first consideration.

To qualify for the position the candidate must possess the following minimum requirements:

• Be a graduate of a law school with recognized standing with a strong law school record.
• Possess superior analytical and organizational abilities legal research and writing skills and computer and word processing proficiency.

The following qualifications strongly are preferred:

• Prior federal or state clerkship experience or prior experience practicing in the Eastern District of North Carolina.
• Bar membership.
• Law review and/or moot court membership and a standing within the top 25% of law school class.
• Specific ties or interest in working in Eastern North Carolina.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently in a high-volume work environment meet demanding deadlines in a timely and organized fashion and to produce written materials promptly and accurately.
• Demonstrated ability to maintain a courteous and professional demeanor to receive and give constructive feedback and to maintain organization anticipate challenges and propose solutions.
• Strong verbal and interpersonal skills as well as ability and interest in working in a supportive role and in a public interest position.
• Exceptional integrity and professionalism including a high degree of attention to work product ethics attitude demeanor and ability to maintain confidentially of matters before the court.

Applicants must be United States citizens or lawful permanent residents actively seeking citizenship. Judicial Branch employees are considered at will employees and are not subject to the employment regulations of competitive service. Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) for payroll deposit is required. Salary will be based on experience and qualifications.

To qualify for appointment at the JSP 12 level an applicant must have one year of legal work experience and hold bar membership. Appointment at the JSP 13 level will require two years of legal work experience and bar membership. Appointment at the JSP 14 level will require bar membership and three years of legal work experience with at least two of the three required years of legal work experience served in the federal judiciary.

Applicants will be required to submit to a background investigation (including references and criminal history) prior to an offer of employment being made. The person selected for this position will also be required to submit fingerprints for an FBI background check or other security clearance.

Application packages can be submitted either through OSCAR or by visiting packages should include a cover letter resume writing sample copy of law school transcript (or law grade sheet if using OSCAR) and two letters of recommendation.

Travel and relocation expenses will not be reimbursed. More than one position may be filled by this vacancy announcement. The court provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. All employees are required to adhere to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees which is available for review upon request. The court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement to withdraw the job announcement or to fill the position at any time before the closing date any of which actions may occur without any prior written or other notice. Due to the volume of applications received only candidates in consideration for this position will be contacted. All questions regarding this vacancy should be directed to Human Resources; please do not call chambers directly.

-THE COURT IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER-

General questions may be sent via email to