Eviction moratorium on Maui Island ended on Feb. 4, 2025. For updates, click here.
Law Clerk and Judicial Assistants – Job Opportunities
Law clerks work directly with a judge or justice and are exempt from civil service. Each judge or justice personally hires his or her law clerk(s). Generally, law clerk applicants should submit a cover letter along with a resume. However, the judge or justice may have additional application requirements, such as writing samples, law school transcripts or recommendation letters. Therefore, applicants should contact the respective judge or justice’s office directly.
Exempt (non-civil service) appointments are made outside the civil service process. Civil service recruitment procedures do not apply, however, public employment and Judiciary employment requirements must be met. All positions and persons in the exempt service are excluded from the requirements of selection by merit competition and from civil service status. Exempt (non-civil service) appointments are considered “at-will,” which means that the hiring authority may terminate the employment relationship at any time.
If you are currently a regular (permanent) civil service employee with the Hawaiʻi State Judiciary and accept a temporary exempt (non-civil service) appointment, you may be required to relinquish your civil service status and all employment rights and privileges of a regular civil service employee.
Return to our Exempt Employment Opportunities page.
First CircuitLaw Clerk (Lautenberg), First Circuit Court, 16th Division, Honolulu, HawaiʻiExempt Appointment (Non-Civil Service) Starting Salary: $5,918 per month (or $71,016 per year) Click here to view job duties and requirements. How to Apply: Email a cover letter, resume, law school transcript, and writing sample to the attention of the Honorable Jordon J. Kimura by email to: 16thDivision.1CC@courts.hawaii.gov Should you have any questions, please call (808) 539-4664. Recruitment will be conducted until the position is filled. Law Clerk (Lautenberg), First Circuit Court, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi$5,713 per month ($5,918 per month effective July 1, 2024) Click here to view job duties and requirements. How to apply: Submit your resume and writing sample by email to: ExemptJobs.1C@courts.hawaii.gov. Resumes are being accepted for possible referral to current and future exempt Law Clerk positions located in the First Circuit Court, Honolulu. Third CircuitJudicial Assistant I (Lautenberg), Third Circuit Court, 3rd Division, Kailua-Kona, HawaiʻiExempt Appointment (Non-Civil Service), $5,573 per month Click here to view job duties and requirements. How to Apply: Email a cover letter, resume and references to the attention of the Honorable Kimberly Tsuchiya at Recruitment.3JC@courts.hawaii.gov, or by mail to Third Circuit Court Attn: Honorable Kimberly Tsuchiya Recruitment will be conducted until the position is filled. Fifth CircuitLaw Clerk (Lautenberg), Fifth Circuit Court, 1st Division, Lihuʻe, HawaiʻiLaw Clerk (Lautenberg), Fifth Circuit Court, 1st Division, Lihuʻe, Hawaiʻi
Exempt Appointment (Non-Civil Service), $5,918 per month ($71,016 per year)
How to Apply: Please email a cover letter, resume, list of references, and writing samples to recruitment.5jc@courts.hawaii.gov, or by mail to:
Fifth Circuit Court
3970 Kaʻana Street, Suite 306
Lihuʻe, HI 96766
Attn: Chief Judge of the 1st Division
Recruitment will be conducted until the position is filled.
Intermediate Court of AppealsAppellate Law Clerk (for Associate Judge Clyde J. Wadsworth)Exempt Appointment (Non-Civil Service), $6,153 per month ($73,836 per year) Anticipated Start Date: September 2, 2025 Click here to view job duties and requirements. How to Apply: Submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, at least two letters of recommendation, and law school transcript (copy acceptable; original not required), to the attention of the Honorable Clyde J. Wadsworth by email to tammy.n.kainadecenzo@courts.hawaii.gov or by mail to Hawaiʻi State Judiciary Recruitment will be conducted until the position is filled. Appellate Law Clerk (for Associate Judge Karen T. Nakasone)$6,153 per month ($73,836 per year), Intermediate Court of Appeals, State of Hawaiʻi, Honolulu. Start Date:August 2026, for a two-year term. Click here to view job duties and requirements. How to Apply: Submit a cover letter, resume, law school transcript (copy acceptable; original not required), writing sample, and list of at least three references (references who can address your writing, analytical ability and work ethic should be included) to the attention of the Honorable Karen T. Nakasone by email to sherry.h.miyashiro@courts.hawaii.gov, or by mail to Associate Judge Karen T. Nakasone Applications will be considered as received. Recruitment will be conducted until the position is filled. Should you have any questions, please contact Sherry Miyashiro at (808) 539-4004. |
Return to our Exempt Employment Opportunities page.