2023-24 Alaska Judicial Clerkships

CLERKSHIPS IN ALASKA District and Superior Court judges in Alaska are still accepting clerkship applications for the 2023-24 terms. These are excellent positions and for folks who fall in love with Alaska and wish to stay after clerking, plenty of job opportunities await. For those who wish to return home, the experience translates very well.   APPLYING TO DISTRICT COURT The Anchorage District Court has limited civil and criminal jurisdiction. The 10 judges of the Anchorage District Court share two law clerks.   To apply for positions with the Anchorage District Court, applicants must submit: a cover letter, resume, a copy of all law school transcripts, a brief writing sample which was not substantially edited by someone else, two or three letters of recommendation from law professors or employers, and a completed background check authorization form.   The entire package should be sent to:   Deputy Presiding Judge Anchorage District Court 820 W. 4th Avenue Anchorage, AK 99501   Applicants for Anchorage District Court clerkships should submit a single application packet to the Deputy Presiding Judge. It is not necessary to send an application to each judge on the court.   APPLYING TO SUPERIOR COURTS The Superior Court is the trial court of general jurisdiction, which also has appellate jurisdiction over the District Court appeals. There are 44 Superior Court judgeships throughout Alaska. Each superior court judge may employ one law clerk.   To apply for positions in the Superior Court, applicants must submit: a cover letter, resume, a copy of all law school transcripts, a brief writing sample which was not substantially edited by someone else, two or three letters of recommendation from law professors or employers, and a completed background check authorization form.   To apply for clerkships in the Superior Court of the First Judicial District, send the completed package to the Area Court Administrator. Please indicate in the cover letter the communities in which you are interested in working.   The First Judicial District offers clerkships in Juneau, Ketchikan, and Sitka with 6 Superior Court Judges.   Alaska Court System Area Court Administrator First Judicial District P.O. Box 114100 Juneau, AK 99811-4100   To apply for clerkships in the Superior Court of the Second Judicial District, send the completed package to one or more specific judges directly. A list of judges and their addresses is listed in the court directory.   The Second Judicial District offers clerkships in Nome, Kotzebue, and Utqiagvik, with 3 Superior Court Judges). Send applications directly to the judge at each court location.   To apply for clerkships in the Superior Court of the Third Judicial District, the applicant may do either of the following:   1. Send the completed package to one or more specific judges directly. A list of judges and their addresses is listed in the court directory.   2. Send the completed package to the Area Court Administrator. Please indicate in your cover letter the communities in which you are interested in working. Copies of your application will be available to judges throughout the Third Judicial District.   The Third Judicial District offers clerkships in Anchorage, Dillingham, Homer, Kenai, Kodiak, and Palmer, with 28 Superior Court Judges.   Alaska Court System Area Court Administrator Third Judicial District 825 W 4th Avenue Anchorage, AK 99501-2004 (907) 264-0415   To apply for clerkships in the Superior Court of the Fourth Judicial District, send the completed package to the Area Court Administrator. Please indicate in the cover letter the communities in which you are interested in working.   The Fourth Judicial District offers clerkships in Fairbanks and Bethel with 8 Superior Court Judges.   Alaska Court System Area Court Administrator Fourth Judicial District 101 Lacey Street Fairbanks, AK 99701   SALARY The bi-weekly salary for law clerks working in District and Superior Court is $2,238.75. Please see the attached handbook for information about benefits and travel/relocation allowances. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION If you have not previously applied for judicial clerkships, please contact Erin Fullner, Assistant Dean in CPD for assistance.