UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT

DISTRICT OF MINNESOTA

Notice of Position Vacancy

Announcement Number:             #2024-01

Position Title:                                 Short-Term Law Clerk to U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Kesha L. Tanabe

                                                          (Full-time)

Position Available:                         January 2024

Closing Date:                                  December 29, 2023, or until filled

Location:                                         St. Paul, Minnesota

Salary:                                              $74,973 – $138,913 (based on qualifications)

Tenure:                                            9 months with the possibility of renewal.

This is a full-time, 40 hour per week position. Preference will be given to applications received on or before December 29, 2023. This is a hybrid position.

POSITION DEFINITION

The United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Minnesota is recruiting a Short-Term Law Clerk to Judge Kesha L. Tanabe. A Law Clerk to a United States Bankruptcy Judge performs substantive review, research, and writing on matters pending before the Court.

REPRESENTATIVE DUTIES INCLUDE:

Reviews complaints, petitions, motions, and other pleadings that come before the Court to determine the issues involved and the basis for relief;

Reviews dockets of pending litigation and monitors progress;

Screens motions and drafts orders for judge’s review;

Performs legal research;

Identifies issues before the Court and makes recommendations;

Provides information to the judge in connection with pending litigation;

Drafts bench memos for the judge’s consideration;

Proofreads orders and opinions, verifying citations;

Maintains liaison between the Court and litigants;

Communicates with counsel, court officials, and litigants regarding procedural requirements;

Keeps abreast of changes in the law and briefs the judge;

Assists the judge during courtroom proceedings;

Shares in the administrative tasks of chambers; and

Performs other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS:

·       Graduate of a law school of recognized standing by the American Bar Association or the Association of American Law Schools; and,

·       Experience on a law journal, moot court, externship or clinical program; or

·       Prior coursework or research related to bankruptcy, consumer protection or secured transactions.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

·       Strong legal research skills and ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing

·       Good organizational, computer, computer-assisted legal research, and word processing skills

·       Discretion and confidentiality, adherence to the court’s ethical rules

·       Maturity and reliability, and responsibility

·       Ability to collaborate effectively in a team-based environment

·       Demonstrated ability to work in a self-directed hybrid or remote work environment

·       Ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks and deadlines

·       Previous work experience for a bankruptcy judge, bankruptcy law firm or direct legal services

BACKGROUND CHECK

This is a sensitive position within the Judiciary. The selected candidate will be required to undergo an FBI fingerprint check through the FBI Criminal Justice Information Services Division. Appointment to this position is provisional, and retention depends upon a favorable suitability determination based on the results of the fingerprint check.

BENEFITS

The United States Bankruptcy Court is a part of the Judicial Branch of the United States Government. Employees of the United States Bankruptcy Court serve under “Excepted Appointment” and are considered “At-Will” employees.

Because the anticipated term of this appointment is less than one year, this position will be eligible for health and commuter benefits and for supplemental dental and vision coverage, but will NOT BE ELIGIBLE for life insurance, the court’s flexible benefits program (ex: Health Care Reimbursement Account) or participation in the FERS retirement system or the Thrift Savings Plan.

The successful applicant will earn 4 hours of annual leave and 4 hours of sick leave for every complete two-week pay period worked.

THIS POSITION IS SUBJECT TO MANDATORY EFT (ELECTRONIC FUNDS TRANSFER) PARTICIPATION FOR PAYMENT OF NET PAY.

SELECTION PROCESS

Initial interview will be virtual, followed by in-person interview. Only the most qualified applicants will be invited for personal interviews. Only those selected to interview will be contacted. Interview and relocation expenses will not be reimbursed.

Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or eligible to work in the United States. Please note citizenship requirements:

https://www.uscourts.gov/careers/search-judiciary-jobs/citizenship-requirements-employment-judiciary

HOW TO APPLY

Applicants should email the following documents:

·       a cover letter

·       detailed resume with exact dates of employment

·       an original writing sample

·       bar admissions

·       law school transcript

·       List of 3 references (include names and email addresses only; full letters of recommendation not required)

Please send your application in a single .pdf document to mnb_applications@mnb.uscourts.gov. PLEASE REFER TO ANNOUNCEMENT #2024-01 IN YOUR EMAIL TRANSMITTAL.

Applicants selected for an interview may be asked to provide a completed Application for Judicial Branch Federal Employment (Form AO 78).

Only qualified applicants will be considered for this position. No telephone calls please.

The court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement, to withdraw the announcement, to fill the position sooner than the closing date indicates, or to fill more than one position, without any prior written or other notice.

THE UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.