IMPORTANT NOTICE: Arlington County requires all applicants to thoroughly complete each section of the application, including prior job responsibilities, duties, and supplemental questions. While you may attach a resume, it will not replace a completed application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Arlington County Circuit Court is seeking multiple Judicial Law Clerks to work closely with an assigned Circuit Court Judge or other judges as assigned, to provide legal support in areas including research, writing, docket management and preparation for motions and trials, and to work with the Circuit Court's Chambers staff and the Circuit Court's Clerk's Office.
Specific duties include:
- Drafting legal memoranda for the judges as requested and assigned;
- Researching legal issues, questions raised in, or presented to the Circuit Court, and reviewing case files;
- Using an electronic database and electronic filing system to retrieve and connect various pleadings to matters currently pending before the court;
- Reviewing uncontested divorce cases, expungement matters, and orders presented to the court for entry;
- Facilitating the Friday civil motions and the ore tenus (uncontested divorce) dockets;
- Using available technology to obtain case information and to retrieve documents for appeals from the General District Court and the Juvenile and Domestic Relations Court;
- Communicating and interacting regularly, in a non-ex parte manner, with counsel and self-represented litigants regarding matters pending before the court to schedule cases and motions; and
- Ensuring that orders are submitted accurately in compliance with applicable statutory requirements, the Rules of the Virginia Supreme Court, and the Court's Local Rules and Preferred Practices.
The successful candidate will possess the following:
- Anticipated candidacy for any State bar exam.
- Effective oral and written communications skills.
- Strong organizational and analytical skills; and
- Knowledge of common law, state and federal law and precedent court decisions.
Arlington County Circuit Court
Located directly across from the Courthouse Metro Station, the office overlooks the Potomac River and the National Mall in Washington D.C., the Arlington Circuit Court is a Virginia state trial court that deals with all legal issues. The Judicial Chambers is composed of four Circuit Court Judges, four judicial law clerks, and four administrative staff persons. For more information, please click Circuit Court Judges – Official Website of Arlington County Virginia Government.
Minimum qualifications:
Currently enrolled in last year of law school or Juris Doctorate Degree was conferred within the past calendar year. See special requirements below.
Desirable: Preference will be given to applicants with experience in the following:
- Anticipated Virginia State Bar Examination.
- Legal research procedures.
- Analyzing statutes and appellate case law; and/or
- Preparing legal memoranda or briefs.
Special Requirements
Paper applications will not be accepted or considered.
Please attach a copy of your current resume.
Please attach a copy of your law school transcript.
Please attach a copy of a writing sample.
Additional Information
This recruitment is for four (4) one-year Judicial Clerkships starting approximately August 2027 through August 2028.
Starting salary is set at $75,400.00 Annually (Effective 7/1/2026)
A resume will not substitute for the completed application. Your responses to the supplemental questionnaire are required for this position. Please do not give "see resume" as a response to the questions. Incomplete applications will not be considered
Applicants who have questions or need assistance with the application may telephone (703) 228-3500 or visit the Human Resources Department. Our staff will be happy to work with you to enter your application into the system. Public access computers are available at all County Libraries, and in the Human Resources Department.