Director, Judicial Clerkships (4983C), Berkeley Law - #84419

At the University of California, Berkeley, we are dedicated to fostering a community where everyone feels welcome and can thrive. Our culture of openness, freedom and belonging make it a special place for students, faculty and staff.

As a world-leading institution, Berkeley is known for its academic and research excellence, public mission, diverse student body, and commitment to equity and social justice. Since our founding in 1868, we have driven innovation, creating global intellectual, economic and social value.

We are looking for applicants who reflect California's diversity and want to be part of an inclusive, equity-focused community that views education as a matter of social justice. Please consider whether your values align with our Guiding Values and Principles, Principles of Community, and Strategic Plan.

At UC Berkeley, we believe that learning is a fundamental part of working, and provide space for supportive colleague communities via numerous employee resource groups (staff organizations). Our goal is for everyone on the Berkeley campus to feel supported and equipped to realize their full potential. We actively support this by providing all of our full-time staff employees with at least 80 hours (10 days) of paid time per year to engage in professional development activities. Find out more about how you can grow your career at UC Berkeley.

Departmental Overview

The Career Development Office (CDO) assists Berkeley Law's 1,000+ J.D. students and the members of its 10,000+ alumni community in shaping and attaining their short- and long-term career goals. The CDO provides individually tailored, client-driven career counseling as well as by creating, planning, developing, and implementing cutting-edge professional development programs, networking events and resources that address a full array of legal career pathways.

Position Summary

Involves planning, developing, and implementing programs, activities, counseling, and advising focused on students' career development.

The Director of Judicial Clerkships will educate students and alumni about judicial clerkships and help them explore, identify, apply for, and secure suitable or competitive clerkship opportunities at all federal courts, state courts and/or specialized courts. As a well-connected, knowledgeable expert on the legal job market, the Director accomplishes this goal by providing individually tailored, client-driven career counseling as well as by building relationships with the judiciary and staff who are the potential employers for these opportunities. The Director may create, plan, develop, and implement cutting-edge programs, networking events, and other activities (including coordinating judge visits), and create or provide resources in support of judicial clerkship placements.

The Director is a member of the CDO team and may assist in maintaining current employer relationships in the CDO as well as in engaging in employer outreach efforts to cultivate new relationships to ensure our students have the best available access to networking, job opportunities, and clerkships as soon as they present themselves.

Application Review Date

The First Review Date for this job is: 03/09/2026.

Responsibilities

• Researches, designs, and develops workshops and programs to meet students' and alumni's career needs.
• Analyzes the current state of competitive judicial clerkships and legal job market to develop programming.
• Identifies existing or up-and-coming clerkship opportunities, assesses (on a continuing basis) the short-and long-term feasibility for our students and alumni, and explores alternatives to clerkship placement if needed.
• Manages program improvement processes, such as revisions, changes, and adjustments to the existing array of judicial clerkship services, programs, and resources.
• Devises, develops and implements entirely new services, programs and resources as needed.
• Liaises with various other teams and individuals at Berkeley Law to understand the need for clerkship opportunities. Collaborates with faculty and other members of the law school community in course design and development as needed.
• May develop and oversee the delivery of broad and complex career-focused programs and events that incorporate the needs of campus partners and constituents.
• Provides one-on-one or group career counseling in particularly complex areas that require specialized expertise, such as tailored counseling for J.D. students pursuing judicial clerkships.
• Establishes new relationships with judiciary staff and other organizations related to career services for students and alumni to promote and enhance the campus's relationship with the judiciary and outside organizations or law firms.
• May participate in or partner with local and national recruitment associations, like the Bay Area Legal Recruiters Association and the National Association for Law Placement, and other legal organizations, like the American Association of Law Schools and the American Bar Association.
• Oversees career program technical systems, and uses thorough knowledge of career program and information systems to build applications and improve web sites and other supporting technologies.
• Presents sensitive and difficult information about the career program, including presentations to the media and the public.
• May participate in panel discussions, and/or research and write articles relating to judicial clerkships and the legal job market.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Advanced knowledge of career development theories, adult development theory, counseling processes, career coaching techniques, career decision making, learning styles, and job search techniques.
• Knowledge of needs assessment theory, processes, and practice; workshop and program design.
• Knowledge of and/or can quickly learn UC programs, career services, employer, alumni, and faculty needs and expectations, recruiting and staffing methods, employment trends.
• Ability to design and modify software applications to meet program needs, problem identification, presentation skills, verbal communication, written communication, and organization skills.
• Ability to work with people from diverse cultures.
• Comprehensive knowledge about judges and clerkships.
• Excellent interpersonal and counseling skills, including the demonstrated capacity to advise and meaningfully interact with students and alumni from a variety of backgrounds and interests.
• Skill in employing excellent marketing skills to help place students and alumni with appropriate judges.
• Ability to leverage work experience and professional network to develop meaningful relationships with members of the judiciary, their staff, and former clerks.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including public speaking and the ability to effectively and diplomatically communicate with students, alumni, faculty, administration, judges, and court personnel.
• Technological and computer literacy, including familiarity with or strong interest in developing a knowledge of Symplicity, 12Twenty, OSCAR, AirTable and other systems.
• Significant (3+ years) relevant experience in legal practice and/or Law School administration.
• Advanced degree in Law, such as a Juris Doctor (J.D.), and/or equivalent experience/training.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior judicial clerkship experience in a federal or highest appellate state court.

Salary & Benefits

For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University, please visit the University of California's Compensation & Benefits website.

Under California law, the University of California, Berkeley is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role and should not offer a salary outside of the range posted in this job announcement. This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, analysis of internal equity, and other business and organizational needs. It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The budgeted annual salary range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position is $100,000.00 - $112,000.00.

• This is a full-time (40 hours/week), career position that is eligible for UC Benefits.
• This is an exempt monthly-paid position.

How to Apply

• To apply, please submit your resume and cover letter.

Other Information

• This position will be governed by the terms and conditions in the agreement for the Student Services Advising Professionals, represented by the UAW.
• This is not a visa opportunity. This position does not include sponsorship of a new consular H-1B visa petition that would require payment of the $100,000 supplemental fee.
• This position is eligible for up to 20% hybrid work. Exact arrangements are determined in partnership with your supervisor to meet role responsibilities and department needs, and are subject to change.

Conviction History Background

This is a designated position requiring fingerprinting and a background check due to the nature of the job responsibilities. Berkeley does hire people with conviction histories and reviews information received in the context of the job responsibilities. The University reserves the right to make employment contingent upon successful completion of the background check.

Misconduct

SB 791 and AB 810 Misconduct Disclosure Requirement: As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

"Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:

UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

UC Anti-Discrimination Policy

Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.