Description
LEAD LAW CLERK – MAINE SUPREME JUDICIAL COURT
The State of Maine Judicial Branch is accepting applications for up to two lead law clerkship positions with the Maine Supreme Judicial Court for chambers locations in Bangor or Portland.
The Maine Supreme Judicial Court is the State’s highest court and its court of final appeal. It decides appeals on questions of law that arise in a wide variety of civil and criminal cases. The Court also has original jurisdiction in some matters and is the procedural rulemaking authority for all State courts.
Lead Law Clerk duties include, but are not limited to, the preparation of bench memoranda, legal research, assistance with opinion drafting, providing training and mentorship for term law clerks, and assisting with matters of Court administration, process, and rulemaking. A full job description follows the announcement of this employment opportunity. Lead Law Clerks work for the entire Court but are assigned to a single Justice's chambers. These are full-time positions, and Lead Law Clerks often must work extensive hours.
Qualified candidates must have a degree in law. Selection criteria include previous clerkship experience, other research and writing experience and abilities, academic performance and class standing, journal experience, faculty or employer references, interpersonal skills, teaching or mentoring experience, and work ethic. Lead Law Clerks are not required to have taken the Maine bar examination but must have the ability to obtain admission to the Maine Bar within six months of hire.
Salary: $75,816–$99,736, depending upon experience, plus fringe benefits.
How to Apply: The application consists of the following documents:
Cover letter: Positions are available in Bangor or Portland. Applicants must identify in their cover letters in which of these locations they are willing to accept an assignment. A single cover letter may be directed to the Court as a whole.
Résumé
School-issued law school transcript (official or unofficial, but not self-prepared)
Writing sample: The writing sample should be no longer than 10 pages double-spaced. Although the sample may have been edited lightly upon review by others, the sample must represent the applicant’s own work.
Two references knowledgeable about the applicant's qualifications for the Lead Law Clerk position. The references may be familiar with the candidate from academic or professional experience.
The Court will accept the materials in .pdf format by email to Nicole Sacre, Executive Judicial Assistant, at the following email address: [email protected]. Applications must be received by August 14, 2026, at 4 p.m.
Successful candidates will be required to submit to criminal, motor vehicle, and other records checks.
En banc interviews will be conducted in early September 2026.
Applicants are also encouraged to complete the Applicant Information Survey that may be found at https://www.courts.maine.gov/about/clerkships.html and return it to the following email address: [email protected].
Inquiries may be directed to Nicole Sacre at [email protected].
The State of Maine Judicial Branch is an equal opportunity employer.
Requirements
Qualified candidates must have a degree in law. Selection criteria include previous clerkship experience, other research and writing experience and abilities, academic performance and class standing, journal experience, faculty or employer references, interpersonal skills, teaching or mentoring experience, and work ethic. Lead Law Clerks are not required to have taken the Maine bar examination but must have the ability to obtain admission to the Maine Bar within six months of hire.
