Judge Jobs
Judge jobs are open across federal courts, state court systems, administrative agencies, and arbitration panels, at every level from hearing officer and administrative law judge to appellate and chief judge, with specializations in family law, criminal law, and administrative adjudication. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Judge JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 14+ Judge jobs
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.
See All 14 Judge Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Judge JobsJudge Job Market
Who's Hiring
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in judge jobs.
- Active bar membership in good standing in the relevant jurisdiction
- Minimum years of legal practice as an attorney or prior judicial experience
- Demonstrated knowledge of applicable court rules and evidence standards
- Experience presiding over or litigating hearings, trials, or administrative proceedings
- Completion of judicial education programs or willingness to complete them upon appointment
- Familiarity with case management systems and electronic court filing platforms
Tips for Your Judge Job Search
Tailor your record of decisions
Judicial hiring panels review written opinions and rulings closely. Pull your strongest decisions that show clear statutory interpretation, balanced reasoning, and clean procedural handling. Organize them by subject matter so reviewers can match them to the docket they're filling.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists judge openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match your practice area and court level and apply directly to each listing.
Align your bar history with the jurisdiction
Many judicial appointments require active bar membership in the specific state where the court sits. Confirm your bar status in every jurisdiction you're targeting before you apply, since an inactive license can disqualify you at the screening stage.
Secure diverse judicial references early
Nominating commissions and appointing authorities want references from sitting or retired judges who have observed your courtroom demeanor, not just colleagues who know your legal work. Identify those references now and ask permission before you submit any application.
Prepare for merit selection questionnaires
Many state judicial vacancies use lengthy written questionnaires covering your philosophy on sentencing, recusal standards, and case management. Draft your answers in advance so you're not rushing through 40-plus questions on a tight deadline.
Practice oral answers on procedural edge cases
Interview panels for judicial roles frequently test how you'd handle conflicts of interest, recusal motions, and courtroom decorum disputes. Rehearse clear, principle-based answers that show you can apply the Code of Judicial Conduct to real scenarios without hedging.
Judge Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most judges?
NYS Unified Court System, Starbucks, and LCMC Health are hiring the most judges right now, with openings concentrated in New York, Louisiana, and Texas, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Openings at the federal level tend to cluster around administrative agencies and specialized tribunals.
How many judge jobs are remote?
About 0% of judge openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with most remote-eligible roles concentrated in administrative law, arbitration, and appellate review work where hearings can be conducted by video. Traditional trial court and bench positions almost always require an in-person presence.
How do you become a judge?
Start by earning a law degree, passing the bar exam, and practicing law long enough to meet the minimum experience threshold the specific court or agency requires. From there, pursue appointment through a merit selection commission, gubernatorial nomination, or competitive civil service process depending on the jurisdiction. Building a record of published legal work, community involvement, and strong professional references significantly strengthens any application.
How do you get hired as a judge with little or no prior experience on the bench?
Focus on administrative law judge and hearing officer roles, which typically require fewer years of practice than state court positions and are filled through open civil service processes rather than political appointment. Highlight any experience conducting hearings, writing formal legal decisions, or presiding over mediation or arbitration. Clerking for a sitting judge is also a recognized path that builds directly relevant credentials.
What does the judge interview process look like?
Most judicial hiring processes begin with a written application and a detailed questionnaire about your legal philosophy, professional history, and any prior disciplinary matters. Qualified candidates then appear before a nominating commission, judicial appointments panel, or civil service review board for a structured oral interview. Some processes include a public comment period or legislative confirmation hearing before a final offer is extended.
Where can I find and apply to judge jobs?
You can find and apply to judge jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States in one place. Search the listings to find roles that match your practice area, court level, and location, then apply directly to each opening that fits.
See All 14 Judge Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Judge Jobs