How to become a Law Clerk with the Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to work with a judge? The judicial branch offers many amazing career opportunities to grow and learn. Being a Law Clerk with the Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One, is one of them!
What is a Law Clerk? A Law Clerk assists the judge with legal research, writing drafts and opinions, and providing a general range of support within chambers. A Law Clerk, with the Court of Appeals, is primarily responsible for reviewing the record on appeal briefs submitted and preparing pre-draft decisions in assigned cases. Law Clerks experience a rare opportunity to work closely with experienced judges and staff lawyers.
Law Clerks also have the opportunity to improve their writing and analytical skills, as well as make a permanent contribution to the law in Arizona.
Judicial Chambers
Each Court of Appeals judge has three staff in their chambers, often this includes one Judicial Assistant and two Law Clerks. Some Chambers may share a Judicial Assistant and third Law Clerk. Chambers staff work closely together as a team to serve the needs of the Court.
Court of Appeals, Division One
The Court of Appeals, Division One, has 19 judges. Judges sit in panels of three to decide cases.
The Staff Attorney’s Office and Clerk’s Office manage cases as they are filed with the court. Cases are assigned to panels once all necessary information for deciding the case has been received and the case is “At Issue.” Chambers staff review the case and research law to assist judges in arriving at a decision. Most cases assigned to a panel receive a written decision in the form of either an Opinion or a Memorandum Decision.
Interested in working for the Court of Appeals, Division One as a Law Clerk?
The minimum qualifications for a Law Clerk are as follows:
- Bachelor’s degree (B.A. /B.S.)
- Law degree from an accredited college/university and law school
The Court of Appeals holds annual recruitments for Law Clerks between April and June each year with a start date in August of the following year.
Job postings for Law Clerk recruitments can be found in the Court’s News section of the Home Page or the Court’s Careers page.
IMPORTANT NOTE: When applying for a Law Clerk position, there are some important things to keep in mind so that your application is submitted properly. Please see our guide below.
Law Clerk I Application Instruction Guide
The Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One, is an EOE/ADA Reasonable Accommodation Employer. Persons with a disability may request an accommodation to participate in the interview process by contacting Human Resources at (602) 452-6708 as soon as the interview has been scheduled.