Trial Court Law Clerk

The Vermont Judiciary has several one-year openings for full-time judicial law clerks in its Superior Court (non-environmental divisions) starting September 2024. Starting salary will be $65,416. Opportunities for successive positions exist. Please note that we have no openings in the environmental division for the 2024–2025 term. Accordingly, we are receiving applications for non-environmental positions only this term.

Vermont’s centrally organized trial court law clerk program provides law clerk assistance to trial court judges on location throughout Vermont. Law clerks concentrate on research and writing for all judges, as assigned, and may participate in other projects.

Law clerks are hired annually for one-year positions starting in September. Thereafter, second year, senior, and staff attorney positions are possible. Applications are accepted during the March 1 to May 15 period immediately preceding the September in which the clerkship begins. At the time of application, an applicant must be admitted to the bar of any state, in the final year of law school, or a recent law school graduate.

Benefits:

• 80% State paid medical premium
• Dental Plan at no cost for employees and their families
• Flexible Spending healthcare and childcare reimbursement accounts
• Two ways to save for your retirement: A State defined benefit pension plan and a deferred compensation 457(b) plan
• Work/Life balance: 12 paid holidays each year and a generous leave plan
• Low-cost group life insurance
• Incentive-based Wellness Program

Minimum Requirements for Application:

• Short cover letter clearly indicating interest in a position covering our non-environmental divisions, collectively.
• Resume with e-mail address, which will be relied upon for correspondence.
• Current law school transcript (may be unofficial).
• Two letters of recommendation (may be sent separately from other materials but no later than
  May 15).
• Recent legal writing samples demonstrating aptitude for trial court-level judicial opinion writing. Writing samples generated outside the academic setting are strongly preferred.
• Applicants are welcome to submit additional materials as they see fit.

If any materials are not readily available, please apply now and supplement as needed as soon thereafter as possible.

Do not apply directly to any courthouses or judges.

Address application materials to Robert Hubbard, Chief Trial Court Staff Attorney, at recruitment@vtcourts.gov. Any materials that must be sent on paper should be addressed to Robert Hubbard, Chief Trial Court Staff Attorney, Washington Civil Division, 65 State St., Montpelier VT 05602.

A limited number of qualified applicants will be selected based on demonstrated merit and court needs to interview. Interviews will be conducted virtually on Mon. and Tues., June 3 and 4, 2024.

The State of Vermont celebrates diversity and is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect and meaningful inclusion that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills in all state government positions. The Judicial Branch is committed to a policy of equal employment opportunity, and the recruitment process is designed to treat all applicants equitably.

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