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) for the Honorable John M. Tonaki, First Circuit Court, First Circuit Court, 4th Division (Civil), Honolulu, HawaiʻiTerm: August 2027 through August 2028 Salary: $6,914 per month ($82,968 per year) effective July 1, 2027 Click here to view job duties and requirements. How to Apply: Submit a cover letter, resume, law school transcript(s), writing sample, and references to the attention of the Honorable John M. Tonaki by email to: 4thDivision.1CC@courts.hawaii.gov. Recruitment will be conducted until the position is filled. Should you have any questions, please call (808) 539-4062.
Law Clerk (Lautenberg) for the Honorable Karin L. Holma, First Circuit Court, 22nd Division (Civil), Honolulu, HawaiʻiAnticipated Start Date: September 1, 2027 with a one (1) year commitment Salary: $6,914 per month ($82,968 per year) effective July 1, 2027 Click here to view job duties and requirements. How to Apply: Submit a resume, cover letter, law school transcript(s), one (1) writing sample, and references (optional) to the attention of the Honorable Karin L. Holma by email to: Karen.E.Hohu@courts.hawaii.gov. Recruitment will be conducted until the position is filled. Should you have any questions, please contact Karen Hohu at (808) 539-4105. Law Clerk (Lautenberg) for the Honorable James S. Kawashima, First Circuit Court, 21st Division (Criminal), Honolulu, HawaiʻiAnticipated Start Date: September 1, 2027 with a one (1) year commitment Salary: $6,728 per month ($80,736 per year) 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 James S. Kawashima by email to: Chavela.L.Balcita@courts.hawaii.gov. Should you have any questions, please call (808) 539-4024. Recruitment will be conducted until the position is filled. Law Clerk (Lautenberg) for the Honorable Clarissa Y. Malinao, First Circuit Court, 15th Division (Criminal), Honolulu, HawaiʻiTerm: 2027 through 2028, with a one (1) year commitment, up to two (2) years Salary: $6,728 per month ($80,736 per year) effective July 1, 2026 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, Honolulu, HawaiʻiLaw Clerk (Lautenberg), $6,728 per month ($80,736 per year) effective July 1, 2026, First Circuit Court, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. 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 FIFTH CIRCUITLaw Clerk (Lautenberg) for the Honorable Michael K. Soong, Fifth Circuit Court, 1st Division, Līhuʻe, KauaʻiStart Date: January 2027 Salary: $6,728 per month ($80,736 per year) *Effective July 1, 2027, salary will increase to $6,914 per month ($82,968) Click here to view job duties and requirements. 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 Recruitment will be conducted until the position is filled. |
Return to our Exempt Employment Opportunities page.