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, 15th Division – Honolulu, HIExempt appointment (non-civil service) Starting salary: $6,535 per month ($78,420 per year). *Effective July 1, 2026, the starting salary increases to $6,728 per month (80,736 per year). Anticipated start date: May 1, 2026 for up to two (2) years with one (1) year commitment. Click here to view job duties and requirements. How to apply: Submit a cover letter, resume, law school transcripts, writing sample and references to the attention of the Honorable Clarissa Y. Malinao by email to esther.m.fukushima@courts.hawaii.gov Should you have any questions, please contact the Judicial Assistant at (808) 539-4116. Recruitment will be conducted until the position is filled. Law Clerk (Lautenberg), First Circuit Court, 13th Division – Honolulu, HIStart date: Immediate Salary: $6,535 per month ($78,420 per year) Click here to view job duties and requirements How to apply: Submit a cover letter, resume, transcript, writing sample, and three references to the “Attention of the 13th Division” at SrFcJudge.1CC@courts.hawaii.gov Law Clerk (Lautenberg), First Circuit Court, 12th Division – Civil/Environmental Court, Honolulu, HISalary: $6,535 per month ($78,420 per year) Term: August 2027 to August 2028 Location: First Circuit Court, 12th Division – Civil/Environmental Court, Honolulu, HI Click here to view job duties and requirements. How to apply: Submit a cover letter, resume, transcript(s), and writing sample to the attention of the “Attention of the 12th Division – Civil/Environmental Court” at: ExemptJobs.1C@courts.hawaii.gov. Resumes are being accepted to fill future exempt Law Clerk vacancies for the August 2027 – August 2028 term with the 12th Division – Civil/Environmental Court, First Circuit Court, Honolulu. Law Clerk (Lautenberg), First Circuit Court, Honolulu, HawaiʻiLaw Clerk (Lautenberg), $6,535 per month ($78,420 per year), effective July 1, 2025, First Circuit Court, Honolulu Click here to view job duties and requirements. Resumes are being accepted for possible referral to current and future exempt Law Clerk position(s) located in the First Circuit Court, Honolulu. How to apply: Submit your resume and writing sample by email to: ExemptJobs.1C@courts.hawaii.gov SECOND CIRCUITLaw Clerk (Lautenberg), Second Circuit Court, 3rd Division, Wailuku, HawaiʻiExempt appointment (non-civil service), $6,535 per month ($78,420 per year) We are hiring for 2 Law Clerk vacancies:
Click here to view job duties and requirements. How to apply: We are currently accepting applicants for both vacancies. For the anticipated vacancy in September 2026, first consideration will be given to resumes received by April 15, 2026. Please email your resume, list of references, transcripts, and a writing sample to joella.n.jones-saito@courts.hawaii.gov, or by mail to Second Circuit Court Should you have questions, please contact the Judicial Assistant at (808) 244-2862. 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), $6,998 per month ($83,976 per year) effective July 1, 2026 Term Date: 2026 – 2027, term to begin on September 1, 2026 Location: Intermediate Court of Appeals, Honolulu, Hawaii. 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 Hawaii State Judiciary Recruitment will be conducted until the position is filled. |
Return to our Exempt Employment Opportunities page.