Salary: $100,059.00 - $182,790.00 Annually
Location : 219 S. Dearborn Street Chicago
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 2027-9
Department: Pro Se
Opening Date: 11/13/2026
Position Overview, Position Duties and ResponsibilitiesDate: November 13, 2026
Job Announcement No.: 2027-09
No. of Vacancies: One
Position Title: Pro Se Law Clerk
Grade Range: JSP 12/1 - JSP 14/10
Salary Range: $100,059 to $182,790
Closing Date: November 27, 2026
The United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois is now accepting applications for a Pro Se Law Clerk. To receive consideration, applicants must apply through the Court's online applicant tracking system, and submit a cover letter, resume, writing sample, and two professional references. Please see the "Notice to Applicants" section below for instructions on how to apply.
*This is a two-year term position that is eligible for renewal dependent on continued case filings.
POSITION OVERVIEWThe United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois is seeking qualified applicants for a Pro Se Law Clerk. A Pro Se Law Clerk principally provides legal research and assistance to the Court in connection with prisoner petitions and complaints. Duties and responsibilities include screening prisoner complaints and motions; drafting appropriate recommendations and orders for the Court's review; researching issues raised in complaints; keeping abreast of changes in prison law; advising appropriate court personnel on the status of particular cases; and sometimes attending court hearings. Primary duties involve analysis of procedural and substantive issues in pro se prisoner civil rights and habeas corpus cases. The incumbent performs other duties as assigned by the Chief Judge.
Job Requirements and QualificationsApplicants must have graduated from law school, hold membership in a state bar, and possess at least one year of legal work experience after earning a J.D. At least one year of legal experience as a law clerk to an Article III Federal Judge is preferred. Knowledge of constitutional law, particularly relating to prison litigation, is especially desirable. Applicants must possess excellent research, writing, and communication skills and must be able to work independently. Preference is given to applicants who have at least a two-year working knowledge of prisoner civil rights and habeas corpus law, and to those with federal law clerk experience.
CompensationCompensation and classification level is based on legal experience after receipt of J.D., bar membership, qualifications, and salary history of the successful candidate. JSP Grade 12 requires one year of legal work experience; JSP Grade 13 requires two years of legal work experience; and JSP Grade 14 requires three years of legal work experience.
Notice to ApplicantsConsideration is only given to those who apply through the Court's online applicant tracking system and provide a cover letter, resume, and two professional references by November 27, 2026.To view openings and to apply, visit our applicant tracking system at: ILND JobsDue to the volume of applications received, the Court only communicates with applicants who receive an interview. The Court emails applicants selected for an interview and interviewees must travel for their interview at their own expense. The Court does not reimburse for relocation expenses. The Court screens applicants to determine their experience and qualifications. The United States District Court requires employees to follow the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees, which is available upon request. The Court conducts reference checks with current and former employers as part of the screening process. Only qualified applicants qualify for consideration for this position. The selected candidate is subject to an FBI fingerprint check. Unsatisfactory results may result in termination of employment. The selected candidate must adhere to all court policies.
Employees of the District Court, Northern District of Illinois are excepted service appointments. Employees are considered at-will and are not covered by federal civil service classifications or regulations
INFORMATION ABOUT THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF ILLINOISThe Northern District of Illinois is home to the five largest cities in Illinois: Chicago, Aurora, Rockford, Joliet, and Naperville. Also known as "The Windy City," Chicago is the third most populous city in the U.S. with nearly 2.7 million inhabitants and approximately 10 million people living in the Chicago metropolitan area. With Lake Michigan as its eastern border, Chicago covers more than 237 square miles.
Chicago is home to numerous museums and cultural institutions including Art Institute of Chicago, Field Museum, Museum of Science and Industry, Shedd Aquarium, and Adler Planetarium. A center of art and culture, Chicago has over 200 theaters, nearly 200 art galleries, and more than 7,300 restaurants.
Known for its magnificent skyline, Chicago is home to buildings designed by some of the world's most renowned architects including Daniel Burnham, Louis Sullivan, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Mies van der Rohe, who designed the Dirksen Courthouse.
Major Chicago universities include University of Chicago, Northwestern University, Loyola University, University of Illinois Chicago, DePaul University and Illinois Institute of Technology. Professional Chicago sports teams include the Bulls (NBA), Sky (WNBA), Bears (NFL), Cubs and White Sox (MLB), Fire (MLS), Chicago Blackhawks (NHL), and Red Stars (NWSL). Chicago is a major world finance center. The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, the Chicago Stock Exchange, the Chicago Board Options Exchange, and the Chicago Mercantile Exchange are within blocks of the Courthouse. The Northern District of Illinois is home to three international airports including O'Hare International Airport, among the busiest airports in the world.
The United States District Court offers a generous benefits package to full-time, permanent employees, which includes:
- Paid leave time for federal holidays, vacation, sick, and Parental Leave
- Medical, dental, vision insurance
- Access to an infant and toddler care near the Courthouse.
- The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program is available to full-time employees with qualifying student loans.
- Life insurance
- Thrift Savings Plan with matching funds (401k & Roth 401k style)
- Participation in Federal Employees Retirement System
- Health, dependent care, and parking reimbursement programs
- Public Transit Subsidy Program
- Onsite employee gym
- Employee Assistance Program, which provides free counseling, financial assistance, and basic legal services
Further details regarding Federal benefits may be viewed at:
01
Do you hold membership in a state bar?
02
Do you have a J.D.?
03
Do you have at least one year of legal work experience after earning a J.D.?
04
Do you have direct experience with prisoner cases?
05
Do you have direct experience working with pro se filings?
06
Do you have working knowledge of prisoner civil rights and/or habeas corpus law?
- None
- Less than 1 year
- 1 - 2 years
- 2 - 3 years
- 3 - 4 years
- 5 years or more
07
Do you have federal clerkship experience?
08
If so, please detail your federal clerkship experience.
09
Do you have state clerkship experience?
10
If so, please detail your state clerkship experience.
11
Have you ever been required to manage a court docket?
Required Question
