Staff Attorney

The United States District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina is accepting applications for a full-time, temporary Staff Attorney position in New Bern, North Carolina, starting in or about October 2, 2025.  While designated as a Staff Attorney position, the incumbent in substance performs the work of a temporary law clerk in chambers.  The incumbent provides the court with substantive procedural and legal advice regarding day-to-day legal, administrative, and policy matters, including with respect to the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 (“CLJA”).  The incumbent conducts legal research, reviews case records/filings, drafts proposed opinions, memoranda, and orders, provides analysis and prepares reports, and interacts with judges, attorneys, government agencies, and members of the public.  The incumbent may assist the court with substantial pretrial hearings, trials, and other court proceedings, including with respect to the CLJA.  The incumbent also provides administrative and clerical assistance to the court as needed.  

This position is a temporary, year and a day position. This position is being advertised at a grade CL 27 to CL 29.  Applications that are received by the initial cut-off date of July 24, 2025, will receive first consideration.

To qualify for the position, one must be a law school graduate at the time of appointment and have strong academic credentials and superior legal research and writing skills.  The candidate must possess the ability to work independently in a high-volume work environment, while also working in collaboration with others.  Law review and/or moot court membership and/or standing within the top 20% of law school class are preferred.  

Applicants must be United States citizens or lawful permanent residents actively seeking citizenship. Judicial Branch employees are considered "at will" employees and are not subject to the employment regulations of competitive service. However, judiciary employees are entitled to benefits similar to those of other government employees including:   paid annual and sick leave, eleven paid holidays per year, health and life insurance, a flexible benefits program, a portable retirement plan with matching contributions, and a professional environment.  Salary will be based on experience and qualifications. Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) for payroll deposit is required.

 

The selectee for this position is subject to a background investigation (including references, criminal history, and credit history) and satisfactory adjudication by the employing office to be eligible for employment.  The person selected will also be required to submit fingerprints for an FBI background check. This position is temporary and contingent upon continued funding and budgetary constraints.  

 

All interested persons should apply online by visiting https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/nced and submit an application package which is to include: a cover letter, resume, a brief writing sample not to exceed ten pages, law school and undergraduate transcripts, three (3) letters of recommendation, and Form AO 78, Application for Judicial Branch Federal Employment, which may be obtained at www.nced.uscourts.gov/pdfs/AO_078.pdf.

 

 

Travel and relocation expenses will not be reimbursed.  The court provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. All employees are required to adhere to the "Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees" which is available for review upon request. The court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement, to withdraw the job announcement, or to fill the position at any time before the closing date, any of which actions may occur without any prior written or other notice. Due to the volume of applications received, only candidates in consideration for this position will be contacted.

-THE COURT IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER­-

 www.nced.uscourts.gov