Associate Judge Jobs
Associate Judge jobs are open across state court systems, municipal governments, and administrative agencies, from entry-level hearing officer roles to senior associate judge positions, with specializations in civil litigation, criminal adjudication, and family law. 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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Who's Hiring
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in associate judge jobs.
- Active law license and good standing with the state bar
- Minimum years of legal practice or prior judicial experience as specified by jurisdiction
- Demonstrated knowledge of civil procedure, rules of evidence, and courtroom management
- Experience presiding over or litigating contested hearings in a relevant subject matter area
- Strong written and oral communication skills including drafting orders and opinions
- Completion of required judicial education or willingness to complete orientation training
Tips for Your Associate Judge Job Search
Tailor your resume to judicial standards
Highlight bar admission date, court admissions, and any judicial clerkship experience before listing litigation history. Hiring committees for associate judge roles weight your procedural knowledge and courtroom record heavily, so lead with those rather than transactional work.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists associate judge 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 jurisdiction type
Filter openings by whether the seat is a state trial court, an administrative law tribunal, or a municipal bench. Each has distinct caseload expectations, so matching your background to the right jurisdiction type sharpens your application considerably.
Secure judicial references before applying
Most selection commissions require letters from sitting judges or senior attorneys who can speak to your courtroom temperament. Line up two or three references specifically familiar with your work on the bench or in trial before you submit any application.
Prepare a written decisions portfolio
If you've authored opinions, orders, or recommended decisions, compile three to five that demonstrate clear legal reasoning across different subject areas. Judicial screening panels often request writing samples before an interview, so having them ready speeds your candidacy.
Research the interview panel composition
Many associate judge appointments go through a merit selection committee that includes lawyers, public members, and sitting judges. Knowing who evaluates you lets you frame answers on judicial philosophy and caseload management in terms each panelist will find credible.
Associate Judge Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most associate judges?
The companies hiring the most associate judges right now include NYS Unified Court System, Starbucks, and LCMC Health, with the largest share of openings in New York, Louisiana, and Texas, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Openings are concentrated in state trial courts and administrative agencies handling high-volume civil and family law dockets.
How many associate judge jobs are remote?
About 0% of associate judge openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the in-person nature of most courtroom work. Administrative law and regulatory tribunal roles that rely heavily on written record review are the sub-areas where remote or hybrid arrangements appear most often.
How do you become an associate judge?
You become an associate judge by first earning a law degree, passing the bar exam, and practicing law for the number of years your target jurisdiction requires. From there, you apply through a merit selection commission, an appointive process, or a judicial election depending on the state. Completing the application, submitting writing samples, and clearing any background or character review are the remaining steps before a formal appointment or election win.
How do you get hired as an associate judge with little or no experience on the bench?
Candidates without prior judicial experience can strengthen their position by emphasizing substantial courtroom litigation, arbitration, or administrative hearing experience that demonstrates familiarity with procedural rules and decision-writing. Serving as a pro tem judge, hearing officer, or law clerk builds a direct judicial record even before a full appointment. Applying to smaller courts or specialized tribunals with less competitive applicant pools is a practical starting point.
What does the associate judge interview process look like?
Most jurisdictions route candidates through a merit selection commission that reviews written applications and writing samples before conducting structured panel interviews. The panel typically includes sitting judges, bar representatives, and public members who ask about judicial philosophy, case management, and ethical scenarios. Some processes add a public comment period or legislative confirmation hearing before a final appointment is made.
Where can I find and apply to associate judge jobs?
You can find and apply to associate judge jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search the roles available, find the ones that match your background and preferred jurisdiction, and apply directly to each listing that fits.
See All 13 Associate Judge Jobs
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