UNITED STATES BANKRUPTCY COURT – DISTRICT OF MINNESOTA
The United States Bankruptcy Court
Position Title: Short-term Law Clerk to U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Kesha Tanabe
(Full‑time)
Term: Approximately eight months
Position Available: January 7, 2022 through September 9, 2022
Closing Date: November 29, 2021 or until filled
Location: St. Paul, Minnesota
Salary: $69,505 ‑ $128,785 (based on qualifications)
This is a full‑time, 40 hour per week position.
POSITION DEFINITION
The United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Minnesota is recruiting a short-term (approximately 8 months) Term Law Clerk to Judge Kesha 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,
– One or more of the following attributes:
o Standing within the upper third of the law school class;
o Experience on the editorial board of a law review; or
o Demonstrated proficiency in legal studies, which in the opinion of the Court, is equivalent to one of the above.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
– A strong academic background
– Excellent legal research skills and ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
– Exceptional organizational, computer, computer-assisted legal research, and word processing skills
– Ability to maintain confidentiality, uphold the court’s ethical rules and exhibit good judgment, maturity, dependability and responsibility
– Ability to work effectively and harmoniously with others in a team-based environment
– Ability to manage and prioritize time and tasks and meet all deadlines
– Previous experience as a federal law clerk or practicing attorney is highly desirable
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, but will NOT BE ELIGIBLE for supplemental dental or vision coverage, life insurance, the court’s flexible benefits program (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
Applicant must be a U.S. citizen or eligible to work in the United States. Please note citizenship requirements:
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.
HOW TO APPLY
Applicants should email a cover letter, detailed resume with exact dates of employment, a writing sample, and law school transcript in a single .pdf document to mnb_applications@mnb.uscourts.gov. PLEASE REFER TO ANNOUNCEMENT #2021-10 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), a list of references and a recent writing sample.
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.