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Foreign Law Clerk Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Law Clerk

Washington, DC · On-site

$85K/yr

Law Clerk appointments may be made for periods not to exceed 14 months pending admission to the bar ... For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see OR Education completed in foreign colleges or ...

Law Clerk I

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$38.77/hr

Law Clerk I Job Category: Service Contract Act Time Type: Full time Minimum Clearance Required to ... Foreign language fluency desired * Leadership experience in small team environments preferred This ...

Law Clerk I

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$38.77/hr

Law Clerk I Job Category: Service Contract Act Time Type: Full time Minimum Clearance Required to ... Foreign language fluency desired * Leadership experience in small team environments preferred What ...

S. law school or an equivalent foreign law degree. * One (1) to three (3) years of legal experience preferred; relevant internships, clerkships, or comparable legal experience will also be considered.

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Foreign Law Clerk information

See salary details

$26K

$53.7K

$82K

How much do foreign law clerk jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for foreign law clerk in the United States is $53,711.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40,500.00 and $65,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a foreign law clerk?

Foreign Law Clerks are legal professionals, often from outside the country in which they work, who assist judges or legal institutions with research, drafting, and analysis on cases that frequently involve international or comparative law. They typically hold law degrees from their home countries and bring valuable perspectives on foreign legal systems. Their work helps bridge legal systems and contributes to more informed judicial decision-making, especially in courts that handle cross-border or international matters.

How does a foreign law clerk typically collaborate with judges and legal teams in an international setting?

Foreign Law Clerks work closely with judges and legal staff to provide research, draft opinions, and analyze legal issues from their home jurisdiction’s perspective. This collaboration often involves bridging legal systems, communicating complex concepts clearly, and contributing to comparative law analysis. Clerks are expected to participate in team meetings, coordinate with other clerks, and sometimes assist in hearings or case preparations. This environment fosters learning and professional growth, as clerks gain insight into both local and international legal practices.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a foreign law clerk, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Foreign Law Clerk, you need a law degree (often from your home country), strong legal research and writing skills, and proficiency in comparative or international law. Familiarity with legal databases (like Westlaw or LexisNexis) and, in some cases, bar admission or special certifications are typically required. Excellent communication, adaptability, and cross-cultural awareness help you effectively support judges or attorneys in a foreign legal system. These skills are crucial to accurately interpret legal issues, bridge legal and cultural differences, and ensure high-quality legal analysis in an international context.

What is the difference between Foreign Law Clerk vs Legal Intern?

AspectForeign Law ClerkLegal Intern
Required CredentialsLaw degree, legal research skills, sometimes bar admission or equivalentCurrently enrolled law student or recent graduate
Work EnvironmentLaw firms, courts, government agencies, often in international or cross-border casesLaw firms, legal departments, internships during law school
Employer & Industry UsageLegal institutions handling international law, foreign legal systemsLegal firms, corporate legal departments, primarily domestic law

The main difference is that Foreign Law Clerks are typically law graduates with specific legal research skills working in international or cross-border legal settings, while Legal Interns are law students or recent graduates gaining practical experience. Foreign Law Clerks often have more advanced credentials and work in more specialized environments compared to Legal Interns.

More about Foreign Law Clerk jobs

What job categories do people searching Foreign Law Clerk jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Foreign Law Clerk jobs are:

Infographic showing various Foreign Law Clerk job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, and 19% Part Time. Highlights an 81% In-person, and 19% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $53,711 per year, or $25.8 per hour.

$85K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 19 days ago


Job description

The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia (DC) is unique and serves as both the local and the federal prosecutor for the nation's capital. Clerks assigned to the Superior Court Division prosecute DC Code offenses ranging from misdemeanors to homicides; Criminal Division prosecute a broad range of U.S. Code violations; and Appellate Division are responsible for handling all appeals from criminal convictions in the DC Court of Appeals and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit.Qualifications:Specialized/Legal Experience: Specialized/legal experience is experience that equipped the applicant with the particular knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position, and that is typically in or related to the work of the position to be filled. Below are the qualification requirements (degree and/or experience) required prior to being appointed to a law clerk position.
Required Qualifications: Applicants must have completed their law degree from a school of law accredited by the American Bar Association (ABA) within the previous year. Law school graduates who received their JD prior to May 1, 2025 are not eligible. Applicants must have a class rank required within top 1/3 of law school class or grade point average of 3.0 or higher out of possible 4.0. Bar membership is not required.
United States citizenship is required.
Preferred Qualifications: Hiring preferences include strong academics, legal writing, analytical skills, and knowledge of Federal regulations and case law. Law Clerk appointments may be made for periods not to exceed 14 months pending admission to the bar. No person may be given more than one law clerk appointment; however, an appointment made for less than 14 months may be extended for not to exceed 14 months in total duration. A law clerk appointment will terminate on its not to exceed date or the law clerk may resign prior to the not to exceed date or expiration date of appointment.
Law clerks may convert to an entry-level attorney position after demonstration of satisfactory employment as a law clerk and admittance to a bar of a U.S. state, territory, or commonwealth.
Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan (ICTAP)- The ICTAP provides eligible displaced Federal competitive service employees with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your agency has notified you in writing that you are a displaced employee eligible for ICTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your ICTAP eligibility; 2) you apply under the instructions in the announcement; and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well-qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and receive a score of 85 or better on established ranking criteria. You must provide proof of eligibility to receive selection priority. Such proof may include a copy of your written notification of ICTAP eligibility or a copy of your separation personnel action form. Additional information about ICTAP eligibility is at: http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.
Career Transition Assistance Plan (CTAP)-The CTAP provides eligible surplus and displaced competitive service employees in the Department of Justice with selection priority over other candidates for competitive service vacancies. If your Department of Justice component has notified you in writing that you are a surplus or displaced employee eligible for CTAP consideration, you may receive selection priority if: 1) this vacancy is within your CTAP eligibility, 2) you apply under the instructions in this announcement, and 3) you are found well-qualified for this vacancy. To be well qualified, you must satisfy all qualification requirements for the vacant position and receive a score of 85 or better on established ranking criteria. You must provide a copy of your written notification of CTAP eligibility with your application. Additional information about CTAP eligibility is at http://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/workforce-restructuring/employee-guide-to-career-transition/.Education:All academic degrees and coursework must be completed at a college or university that has obtained accreditation or pre-accreditation status from an accrediting body recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. For a list of schools that meet this criteria, see http://www.ed.gov
OR
Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet the above education requirements if you can show that the foreign education is comparable to that received in an accredited educational institution in the United States. It is your responsibility to timely provide such evidence by submitting proof of creditability of education as evaluated by a credentialing agency with your application materials. More information may be found at http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ous/international/usnei/us/edlite-visitus-forrecog.html. All documentation must be in English or include an English translation.
Employment Type: OTHER