Job Responsibilities
Law clerks at the #***# are tasked with a range of responsibilities that support the judicial process for the State's highest court for criminal cases. These responsibilities include:
- Conducting legal research to aid in the decision-making process.
- Reviewing applications for writs of habeas corpus to ensure they meet legal standards.
- Reviewing petitions for discretionary review, which involves determining whether a case should be considered by the Court.
- Preparing for oral arguments by analyzing case facts, legal issues, and applicable laws.
- Drafting opinions, which involves writing detailed explanations of the Court’s decisions.
Education and Experience Information
Candidates for the judicial clerkship must have completed their legal studies by the beginning of the clerkship, making the position open to recent law school graduates and licensed attorneys alike. The position strongly favors candidates who have an interest in criminal and appellate law and who have demonstrated an ability to research and write effectively.
Salary Information
The annual salary for a law clerk at the #***# is approximately $74,502.
Additional Information
Application Process:
- Applicants must email a cover letter, résumé, law-school transcript, writing sample, and up to three letters of recommendation in separate PDF attachments to each judge they wish to apply to.
- The email addresses for submission are specific to each judge and include: SchenckApps@txcourts.gov, RichardsonApps@txcourts.gov, YearyApps@txcourts.gov, NewellApps@txcourts.gov, KeelApps@txcourts.gov, WalkerApps@txcourts.gov, McClureApps@txcourts.gov, FinleyApps@txcourts.gov, ParkerApps@txcourts.gov.
- The subject line of the email must include the applicant's name, "Law Clerk Application," and the clerkship year for which they are applying.
- There are no set application deadlines, as each judge hires on their own timetable.
Equal Opportunity Statement:
The Court of Criminal Appeals is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age (40 or older), disability, or genetic information.
This opportunity offers a comprehensive experience in the legal field, particularly for those interested in criminal and appellate law. It provides a chance to work directly with judges and gain firsthand insight into the judicial process at the highest level of the state's criminal court system.
