Assistant Staff Judge Advocate Jobs
Assistant Staff Judge Advocate jobs are open across military branches, federal agencies, and government contractors, from entry-level JAG corps attorneys to senior legal advisors, with specializations in military law, administrative law, and criminal litigation. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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UCS-23
EMPLOYMENT
OPPORTUNITY
ANNOUNCEMENT
STATE OF NEW YORK
UNIFIED COURT SYSTEM
PLEASE POST
ANNOUNCEMENT NO. 23640
POSITION TITLE: PRINCIPAL LAW CLERK TO JUDGE JG: 31
LOCATION: SUPREME COURT, NEW YORK COUNTY - CIVIL TERM
BASE SALARY: $130,061 + $4,920 LOCATION PAY
CLASSIFICATION: EXEMPT/CONFIDENTIAL
QUALIFICATIONS: Admission to the New York State Bar and two (2) years of service in the Associate Law Clerk to Judge title;
or five (5) years of relevant legal experience, including up to 18 months of pre-admission experience.
DISTINGUISHING FEATURES OF WORK: Principal Law Clerks to Judge are responsible for researching and analyzing uniquely
intricate, complex and sensitive legal issues and questions for individual judges. They also provide other personal and confidential
assistance to an individual judge or judges. Principal Law Clerks to Judge are personally appointed by the judge or judges for whom
they work and serve at their pleasure.
ASSIGNMENT: This position is assigned to Hon. Leslie A. Stroth, New York State Supreme Court Justice in New York County, Civil
Term. Duties include, but are not limited to: researching and analyzing legal questions and issues and preparing memoranda with
recommendations; drafting opinions, decisions, orders, jury charges, correspondence and other written material; conferring with
lawyers on complex proceedings and reviewing legal documents filed in connection with such legal proceedings; reviewing and
verifying citations; conferring with and advising the judge on legal issues; and conducting conferences with attorneys and other
parties to legal actions to clarify issues to be resolved or to settle cases.
Law Clerks to Judge must: possess knowledge of the laws and rules governing civil practice; proficiency in legal writing; the ability
to read, comprehend, and communicate complex legal and other technical data; the ability to analyze legal issues and identify
relevant case opinions and facts; the ability to establish work priorities; the ability to handle sensitive matters on a confidential basis;
and preferred experience in civil litigation.
GENERAL INFORMATION: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by
persons assigned to this title. They do not include all job duties performed by employees in the title, and every position does not
necessarily require these duties. All applications received from this announcement may be used to fill any vacancies in this title that
may occur in this court or agency within the next six (6) months. Position(s) available at the present time: 1 .
APPLICATION PROCEDURES: All interested persons meeting the minimum qualifications are encouraged to submit a UCS-5
Application for Employment form (obtainable from any administrative office in a court building or on the web at
www.nycourts.gov/careers/UCS5.pdf),cover letter, a resume, and two (2) writing samples by email to sfc-part12-clerk@nycourts.gov
with Reference: Application for Principal Law Clerk.
APPLICANTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO COMPLETE THE EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY DATA COLLECTION FORM.
POSTING DATE: November 6, 2026 APPLICATIONS MUST BE POSTMARKED OR RECEIVED BY: November 30, 2026
The New York State Unified Court System is an equal opportunity employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color,
religion, gender (including pregnancy and gender identity or expression), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital
status, disability, age, membership in an employee organization, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.
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Find JobsAssistant Staff Judge Advocate Job Market
Who's Hiring
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in assistant staff judge advocate jobs.
- Juris Doctor degree from an ABA-accredited law school
- Active bar membership in good standing in at least one state
- Experience with the Uniform Code of Military Justice or military administrative law
- Security clearance eligibility, typically at the Secret or Top Secret level
- Prior courtroom or adversarial hearing experience as lead or co-counsel
- Familiarity with military personnel law, claims processing, or administrative investigations
Tips for Your Assistant Staff Judge Advocate Job Search
Tailor your resume for JAG roles
Highlight courtroom experience, military law coursework, and any clerkships or internships with judge advocate offices. Civilian legal experience translates, but recruiters for these roles want to see that you understand the Uniform Code of Military Justice and military administrative processes.
Get your bar admission in order
Most assistant staff judge advocate positions require active bar membership in at least one state before your start date. Verify which state's bar the posting requires, since some installations have reciprocity arrangements and others do not, and plan your application timeline accordingly.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists assistant staff judge advocate openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target postings by legal practice area
Filter openings by the area you've practiced in most, whether that's criminal law, administrative law, claims, or international law. Assistant staff judge advocate roles are often posted with a specific practice focus, and matching your background directly improves your odds of advancing past the initial screen.
Prepare for scenario-based interview questions
Interviewers for these roles frequently test how you handle conflicts between legal ethics obligations and command priorities. Prepare concrete examples where you balanced legal advice with operational realities, since panel interviewers often include both legal officers and command staff.
Negotiate your starting grade carefully
Federal and military attorney positions typically use the General Schedule or Judge Advocate pay scales, and your starting grade is determined partly by prior legal experience. Document all prior legal employment thoroughly on your application so evaluators can credit the right number of years toward a higher entry grade.
Assistant Staff Judge Advocate Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most assistant staff judge advocates?
The most active employers for assistant staff judge advocates right now are NYS Unified Court System, Starbucks, and LCMC Health, and the most openings are in New York, Louisiana, and Texas, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand tends to track military installation density and federal agency legal office budgets.
How many assistant staff judge advocate jobs are remote?
About 0% of assistant staff judge advocate openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the in-person requirements of court proceedings, command advising, and classified work environments. Administrative law and legal assistance functions tend to offer the most flexibility, while criminal litigation and operational law roles almost always require on-site presence.
How do you become an assistant staff judge advocate?
You need a Juris Doctor from an accredited law school, an active state bar license, and either a commission as a military officer or eligibility for a federal attorney appointment. Most candidates gain experience through law school clinics, clerkships, or prior legal employment before applying. Security clearance processing begins after a conditional offer is extended.
How do you get hired as an assistant staff judge advocate with little experience?
Entry-level candidates should emphasize law school clinics, moot court, mock trial, and any externships with government legal offices. Some judge advocate programs have direct-commission pipelines for new attorneys who meet the degree and bar requirements. Applying to legal assistance or administrative law rotations is often a practical starting point before moving into more complex litigation roles.
What does the assistant staff judge advocate interview process look like?
The process typically starts with a resume and writing sample review, followed by a structured panel interview that includes both legal officers and command or agency representatives. Candidates are usually asked to discuss past legal decisions, ethical dilemmas, and their understanding of military or federal legal frameworks. A background investigation and security clearance adjudication follow a conditional offer.
Where can I find and apply to assistant staff judge advocate jobs?
You can find and apply to assistant staff judge advocate jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search for roles that match your practice area, experience level, and preferred location, then apply directly to each listing that fits your background.
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