Job Responsibilities:
- Conducting legal research
- Reviewing applications for writs of habeas corpus
- Reviewing petitions for discretionary review
- Preparing for oral arguments
- Drafting opinions
Education and Experience Information:
- Open to all law students who will have completed their legal studies by the beginning of the clerkship
- Open to licensed attorneys
- Strong preference for candidates with an interest in criminal and appellate law
- Demonstrated ability to research and write effectively
Salary Information:
- The annual salary for a law clerk is approximately $74,502.
The judicial clerkship offered by the #***# is a prestigious opportunity for individuals interested in criminal law. As the highest court in Texas for criminal cases, the Court offers a unique experience for law clerks to engage deeply with the judicial process. Each judge on the Court hires one law clerk for a one-year term starting on September 1. This position is available to law students who will have completed their legal studies by the start date as well as licensed attorneys.
The primary responsibilities of a judicial clerk include conducting thorough legal research and reviewing applications for writs of habeas corpus and petitions for discretionary review. Clerks also prepare for oral arguments and draft judicial opinions. The role requires a keen interest in criminal and appellate law, with a strong emphasis on effective research and writing skills.
Candidates interested in applying must submit a cover letter, résumé, law-school transcript, writing sample, and up to three letters of recommendation. These documents should be sent in separate PDF attachments via email to the judges the candidate wishes to apply to, using the specified email addresses. The subject line of the application 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, and each judge hires according to their own schedule. The Court does not provide updates on the status of applications or the hiring completion of individual judges.
The #***# is committed to equal employment opportunities and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetic information. The position offers a competitive annual salary of approximately $74,502, making it an attractive opportunity for those embarking on a legal career in criminal law.
