Law Clerk Judge D. Andrew Gaona;

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2026 Judicial Law Clerkship with Judge

D. Andrew Gaona
Immediate Opening

Title: Law Clerk I
Grade: Fixed Rate
Reports To: Judicial Officer
Department: Judicial Chambers
Exempt Status: Exempt
Status: Full-Time (40 hours per week)
Schedule: Monday-Friday 8 hours per day
Salary: $60,170
Minimum Requirements:
Must be a law school graduate or a current law school student expecting to graduate before the employment start date.

EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY

Judge D. Andrew Gaona with the Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One is accepting clerkship applications and materials from law school graduates and practicing attorneys who wish to apply for a clerkship that will begin on or before March 16, 2026. The clerkship will run through August 2026, with the possibility of an extension until August 2027.

The first review date will be Tuesday, February 24, 2026, however, interviews may be conducted as applications are received. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications as soon as possible.

Position Summary:

The Arizona Court of Appeals, Division One, Law Clerk I position is an exempt salaried position. Under the direction of the Chambers Judge, a Law Clerk’s primary responsibility is to review briefs and the court record and to prepare a pre-draft decision in assigned cases. This position presents a rare opportunity to work directly with experienced judges and staff lawyers on complex and fascinating legal issues, improve their writing and analytical skills, and make a lasting contribution to the law in Arizona.

How to Apply:

Please include the following materials in one
combined PDF, not to exceed 15MB:

• Resume
• Law School Transcript
• Writing Sample (no more than five pages; excerpts permitted)
• Two or Three Letters of Recommendation (may be submitted separately)

IMPORTANT LAW CLERK I APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Job Description:
Cases assigned to a particular panel of three judges are divided among the judges on the panel, and draft decisions are prepared by law clerks or staff attorneys working with an individual judge. Law clerks may be asked to write an initial draft decision, in consultation with the assigned judge. The draft is then circulated to the other judges on the panel for consideration when the case is set for conference.

At conference, the law clerk who has drafted a proposed decision may be asked to present the case to the panel of judges. The law clerk’s presentation generally includes a summary of the relevant facts and an analysis of the relevant law. The law clerk is expected to have thoroughly reviewed the trial court record and to be available to help answer questions about the record.

The law clerk who prepared the initial draft may also be asked to assist with post-conference editing and with cite-checking the draft.

During conference, law clerks also take notes on all cases presented, including cases presented by staff attorneys and other law clerks.

Essential Functions:

• Analyze the record and legal issues and undertake legal research.
• Draft proposed written decisions for consideration by judges.
• Participate in conference, answer judges’ questions, and attend oral arguments.
• Access and use the Court’s case management system.
• Access and use SharePoint and Office 365.
• Serve as bailiff for oral arguments.
• Law clerks may be given other projects by their judge(s). Such projects may include case law or statutory research, assistance in handling requests for special action relief and other legal research and writing.
• An effective law clerk also helps with projects as assigned to help resolve cases efficiently and productively.
• Law clerks have shared administrative responsibilities with the chamber’s Judicial Assistant.
• Law clerks may be assigned general supervisory responsibilities for externs working in their chambers.
• Law clerks are bound by the ethical standards established by the Code of Conduct for Judicial…