Term Law Clerk (2028) for the Hon. Diane J. Humetewa

Salary: $78,117.00 - $144,741.00 Annually
Location : Phoenix, AZ
Job Type: Full-Time
Job Number: 26-35
Department: Chambers Staff
Division: Phoenix Division
Opening Date: 06/10/2026
Closing Date: 12/1/2026 5:00 PM Arizona


Introduction and Representative Duties
One year term, beginning September 1, 2028, with possibility of one year renewal.

The judicial law clerk to the Honorable Diane J. Humetewa will perform substantive review, research and writing, prepare bench memos and draft orders on predominantly civil matters pending before the judge. The caseload in this jurisdiction is heavy and deadlines are demanding. The types of cases presented are varied, sometimes involving novel issues of law. Daily interaction with the judge and law clerks is the norm.
Occupational Information
Minimum Qualifications:
To qualify for the position of law clerk at salary level JSP 11, a person must be a law school graduate and have one or more of the following attributes:

• Standing within the upper third of the law school class from a law school on the approved list of either the American Bar Association or the Association of American Law Schools.
• Experience on the editorial board of a law review of such school.
• Graduation from such a school with an LLM degree; or
• Demonstrated proficiency in legal studies, which, in the opinion of the judge, is the equivalent of one of the above. Some examples of criteria which is acceptable as equivalent include:
  • Publication of a noteworthy article in a law school student publication or other scholarly publication;
  • Special high-level honors for academic excellence in law school, such as election to the Order of the Coif;
  • Winning of a moot court competition or membership on a moot court team that represents the law school in competition with other law schools;
  • Participation in the legal aid or other law school clinical program sanctioned by the law school;* or
  • Summer experience as a law clerk to a state or local judge or law clerk experience on a continuing basis in a private firm while attending school (i.e., working one's way through college).*

*To receive credit, participation and experience could not have been for academic credit.
This list is not all-inclusive; the determination of an acceptable equivalence rests with the appointing judge.
To qualify for the position of law clerk at salary level JSP 12, a person must be a law school graduate, have one year of legal work experience performed after graduation from law school, be a member of the bar of a state, territorial, or federal court of general jurisdiction and have one or more of the attributes listed in the first paragraph under Minimum Qualifications.


To qualify for the position of law clerk at salary level JSP 13, a person must be a law school graduate, have two years of legal work experience performed after graduation from law school, and be a member of the bar of a state, territorial, or federal court of general jurisdiction and have one or more of the attributes listed in the first paragraph under Minimum Qualifications.


Preferred Qualifications:

One year post-law school experience is preferred. Experience using Westlaw is highly preferred. An ability to meet deadlines while demonstrating legal writing of the highest quality is required.

How to Apply
Applicants must submit the following with your online application:

• Cover letter
• Resume
• A writing sample of up to ten pages in length
• Two letters of recommendation, and
• Three (3) references

Please visit the Online System for Clerkship Application and Review (OSCAR) site at to submit an online application, including the items listed above, for consideration.

Attachments should be submitted only as Microsoft Word or Adobe Acrobat (PDF) documents. Other formats are not acceptable.

Applications will be considered complete when the online application and all required attachments (in proper format) are received by the Judge.


Applications and/or attachments received after the closing date may not be considered.

Applicant Information


The Court reserves the right to modify the conditions of this job announcement, or to withdraw the announcement, any of which may occur without prior written or other notice. In the event that a position becomes vacant in a similar classification, within a reasonable time of the original announcement, the court may elect to select a candidate from the applicants who responded to the original announcement without posting the position.

Only qualified applicants will be considered for this position. Employees of the U.S. District Court serve under "Excepted Appointments" and are considered "at will" employees (except for probation officers who may be removed for cause). Federal Civil Service classifications or regulations do not apply; however, court employees are entitled to substantially the same benefits as other Federal Government employees.

The initial appointment to this position is provisional pending the successful completion of the required background checks and/or investigations. The U.S. District Court is a drug-free work place and the applicant selected will be required to participate in a drug screening test prior to employment.

All information provided by applicants is subject to verification and background investigation. Applicants are advised that false statements or omission of information on any application materials or the inability to meet the following conditions may be grounds for non-selection, withdrawal of an offer of employment or dismissal after being employed.

Participation in the interview process will be at the applicants own expense and relocation expenses will not be provided.

The position is subject to the mandatory electronic fund transfer (EFT) participation for payment of net pay (i.e. Direct Deposit).

Non-citizens may be interviewed and considered for employment, but employment offers will only be made to individuals who qualify under one of the exceptions in 8 U.S.C. §1324b(a)(3)(B). In most cases, this means that an offer of employment cannot be made unless the candidate is a lawful permanent resident who is seeking U.S. citizenship as explained below. Under 8 U.S.C. §1324b(a)(3)(B), a lawful permanent resident seeking citizenship may not apply for citizenship until he or she has been a permanent resident for at least five years (three years if seeking naturalization as a spouse of a citizen), at which point he or she must apply for citizenship within six months of becoming eligible, and must complete the process within two years of applying (unless there is a delay caused by the processors of the application). Non-citizens who have not been permanent residents for five years will be required to execute an affidavit that they intend to apply for citizenship when they become eligible to do so.
The U.S. District Court, District of Arizona is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Term law clerks are entitled to standard federal benefits such as medical insurance, life insurance, and long-term care insurance. They are also eligible to participate in a Flexible Benefits Program which includes pre-tax deductions for health benefits premiums, health care expenses, dependent care, and commuter benefits. In addition, term law clerks may be eligible for paid annual and sick leave.

This position is subject to mandatory electronic fund transfer (direct deposit) participation for net pay.