Circuit Judge Jobs
Circuit Judge jobs are open across federal, state, and municipal court systems, from entry-level law clerk-eligible appointments to senior appellate and chief judge roles, with specializations in criminal, civil, and family law. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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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 Circuit Judge JobsCircuit Judge Job Market
Who's Hiring
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in circuit judge jobs.
- Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school and active state bar membership
- Minimum years of licensed legal practice, typically five to ten years depending on jurisdiction
- Experience as a trial attorney, appellate practitioner, or sitting judge in a lower court
- Demonstrated knowledge of civil and criminal procedure, evidence rules, and constitutional law
- Ability to manage a high-volume docket, write opinions under time pressure, and conduct hearings independently
- Clean disciplinary record with no bar sanctions and strong peer evaluations from the legal community
Tips for Your Circuit Judge Job Search
Tailor your judicial application materials
Circuit judge applications require a judicial writing sample, not a standard resume cover letter. Pull opinions or motions you authored that demonstrate legal reasoning under contested facts. Committees read hundreds of applications, so your writing sample does more work than your credentials.
Identify whether the role is elected or appointed
Circuit judge openings are filled by election in some states and by gubernatorial or legislative appointment in others. Knowing which process applies changes your entire approach, from who you contact to what endorsements carry weight during the selection process.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists circuit judge openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Build a record of judicial temperament evidence
Selection committees and nominating commissions look for documented evidence of impartiality and courtroom management, not just legal credentials. Bar association ratings, peer evaluations, and letters from opposing counsel who appeared before you carry disproportionate weight in competitive appointment processes.
Prepare for the bar evaluation interview specifically
Many state judicial selection processes include a formal interview with the local bar association's judicial evaluation committee. These interviews focus on case management philosophy, recusal standards, and how you handle self-represented litigants, not your substantive legal knowledge.
Research the docket before your interview
Circuit court dockets vary sharply by jurisdiction. A rural circuit may carry a heavy domestic violence caseload while an urban one handles complex commercial litigation. Demonstrate you understand the specific docket you are applying to manage, not courts in general.
Circuit Judge Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most circuit judges?
The companies hiring the most circuit 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 shift frequently as vacancies are created by retirement, elevation to higher courts, or new judicial positions authorized by state legislatures.
How many circuit judge jobs are remote?
About 0% of circuit judge openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the in-person nature of most courtroom proceedings. Administrative judicial roles, appellate opinion writing, and senior judicial staff positions are the sub-areas most likely to permit any degree of remote flexibility.
How do you become a circuit judge?
You become a circuit judge by first earning a law degree, passing the bar exam in your state, and practicing law long enough to meet your jurisdiction's minimum experience requirement. From there, the path depends on whether your circuit uses elections or appointments. Elected judges file to run and campaign, while appointed judges apply through a nominating commission or executive selection process, often including a bar evaluation interview and background review.
Can you become a circuit judge without prior judicial experience?
Yes, many circuit judges are appointed or elected directly from private practice or prosecutorial roles without having served as a lower court judge first. What matters most in those cases is the depth and relevance of your litigation experience, the quality of your professional reputation among bar peers, and evidence that you can manage a docket and write sound legal decisions under time constraints.
What does the circuit judge interview process look like?
The process typically begins with a written application and judicial writing sample submission, followed by a screening review by a nominating commission or bar evaluation committee. Qualified candidates are invited to a formal interview covering judicial philosophy, case management approach, recusal standards, and experience with the types of cases on that circuit's docket. Finalists may then be presented to a governor, legislature, or placed on an election ballot depending on the jurisdiction.
Where can I find and apply to circuit judge jobs?
You can find and apply to circuit judge jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States in one place. Find roles that match your experience, jurisdiction, and practice background, then apply directly to each listing.
See All 13 Circuit Judge Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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