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 ($6,043 per month effective July 1, 2025) 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, HawaiʻiLaw Clerk (Lautenberg), $6,043 per month ($72,516 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 Intermediate Court of AppealsAppellate Law Clerk (for Chief Judge Karen T. Nakasone)Appellate Law Clerk (for Chief Judge Karen T. Nakasone), $6,283 per month effective July 1, 2025, 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 Chief Judge Karen T. Nakasone by email to: sherry.h.miyashiro@courts.hawaii.gov Or by mail: Hawai‘i State Judiciary, Intermediate Court of Appeals
Office of the Chief Judge
Attention: Sherry Miyashiro, Judicial Assistant
426 Queen Street, Room 201
Honolulu, HI 96813-2914
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.
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Return to our Exempt Employment Opportunities page.