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 Circuit• Law Clerk (Lautenberg), First Circuit Court, 12th Division, Honolulu, HawaiʻiExempt Appointment (Non-Civil Service), $5,918 per month (or $71,016 per year) Anticipated Start Date: Resumes are being accepted to fill future exempt Law Clerk vacancies for the August 2025 – August 2026 term with the 12th Division – Civil/Environmental Court, First Circuit Court, Honolulu, Hawaiʻi. 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 12th Division” at ExemptJobs.1C@courts.hawaii.gov. • Law Clerk (Lautenberg), First Circuit Court, 16th Division, Honolulu, HawaiʻiAnticipated Start Date: August or September 2025 for a one-year clerkship (ending in August or September 2026) Click here to view job duties and requirements. How to Apply: Submit 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, 15th Division, Honolulu, HawaiʻiExempt Appointment (Non-Civil Service), $5,713 per month ($5,918 per month effective July 1, 2024) Anticipated Start Date: May 15, 2024 for a 4-month clerkship (ending on September 11, 2024) Click here to view job duties and requirements. How to Apply: Please email your cover letter, resume, list of references, and writing sample to: Esther.M.Fukushima@courts.hawaii.gov 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 Circuit• Law Clerk (Lautenberg), Third Circuit Court, 4th Division, Kona, HawaiʻiExempt Appointment (Non-Civil Service), $5,918 per month (or $71,016 per year) Anticipated Start Date: September 3, 2024 Click here to view job duties and requirements. How to Apply: Submit a cover letter, resume, references, and writing sample to: Recruitment.3JC@courts.hawaii.gov, or by mail to: Third Circuit Court First consideration will be given to resumes received by Friday, August 9, 2024. Recruitment will be conducted until the position is filled. |
Fifth Circuit• Law Clerk (Lautenberg), Fifth Circuit Court, 1st Division, Lihuʻe, HawaiʻiExempt Appointment (Non-Civil Service), $5,918 per month (Starting salary effective July 1, 2024) Anticipated Start Date: August 2024 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.