Circuit Judge Law Clerk

The Administrative Office of

The Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia Position Announcement

Twenty-Eighth Judicial Circuit – Jefferson County, Charles Town

Employment Opportunity – Full-Time, Hybrid Role

Position open until filled (Posted: 09/09/2026)

The Administrative Office of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia ("AO") is now accepting resumes for the position of Circuit Judge Law Clerk for the Honorable David M. Hammer. This position works under the direct supervision of Judge David M. Hammer in the Twenty-Eighth Judicial Circuit, Jefferson County, Charles Town, WV. This is a salaried position which also offers remote work options.

The position is described as follows:

The Circuit Court Law Clerk will be responsible for providing legal support to Judge Hammer. The position is a unique opportunity to learn court operations from the inside out and gain invaluable practical experience while working in a challenging, high volume, highly variable and fast-paced environment.

A successful candidate must possess excellent legal research and writing skills. The candidate must also possess the ability to communicate clear and concisely. Ability to exercise good judgment and maintain tact, composure, and confidentiality. The candidate must possess strong organizational skills and attention to detail.

All circuit judge law clerks must be current members or become members of the West Virginia State Bar and/or sit for the Uniform Bar Examination (UBE) each time it is offered. The failure to pass the Uniform Bar Examination within two (2) attempts will result in a loss of employment. West Virginia Bar Examination/Uniform Bar Examination failures predating judicial employment count toward the two (2) attempts.

Any person who has failed the West Virginia Bar Examination, the UBE, or any bar examination, two (2) or more times is ineligible for these positions. Once a person passes the Uniform Bar Examination, the issue of bar examination failures is moot. Additionally, the minimum law school g.p.a. for these positions is 2.8.

• Perform legal research,
• Prepare confidential legal memoranda,
• Attend court hearings, as requested
• Draft orders and opinions,
• Advise and assist judge with legal issues,
• Conduct discovery conferences,
• Respond to attorneys and self-represented litigants, and
• Monitor the court's docket.

• Professional office environment
• Occasional evening or weekend work
• Occasional travel for conferences, training and other purposes
• Frequent interruptions and changing timelines and priorities

All successful candidates must submit to a criminal background check.

The annual salary for those who are not members of the West Virginia State Bar is $60,490.00, plus benefits, and the annual salary for those who are members of the West Virginia State Bar is $69,694.00, plus benefits. Documentation from the West Virginia State Bar, i.e., Bar Dues Statement, will be required to receive the higher salary. Law Clerks who are admitted to the WV State Bar will be paid according to the following Classification Plan:

• Level I: 0-3 years, $69,694.00
• Level II: 4-6 years, $73,694.00
• Level III: 7-9 years, $77,694.00
• Level IV: 10-12 years, $81,694.00
• Level V: 13-17 years, $85,694.00
• Level VI: 18-24 years, $89,694.00
• Level VII: 25+ years, $93,694.00

• Competitive salary based on experience and qualifications,
• Years of Service salary increases,
• Medical Insurance,
• Optional Flexible Benefits Coverage (dental, vision, disability, and excess medical),
• Life insurance,
• Defined benefit pension plan,
• Section 457 deferred compensation plan, 12 paid…