Attorney Advisor

Overview of the Position The Southern District of New York administers and presides over some of the most complex and high-profile cases in the country with litigation of national and international significance. The District of New York held its first session on the first Tuesday of November 1789 at the Old Royal Exchange in lower Manhattan presided over by Judge James Duane, who was appointed by President Washington.

It was the first Court to sit under the new U.S. Constitution, preceding the U.S. Supreme Court by a few months. The District and its successor, the Southern District of New York, have sat continuously in New York, NY, since 1789. The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York hears cases in Manhattan, White Plains, and Poughkeepsie, New York

Location New York, NY

Opening and Closing Dates 10/01/2026 - 10/22/2026

Appointment Type Permanent

Classification Level/Grade CL 29 (this position is eligible for promotion to CL 30 after one year)

The Attorney Advisor serves as the primary legal support to the Clerk of Court, providing legal advice and ensuring compliance with applicable statutes, rules, policies, and procedures. The Attorney Advisor reports directly to the Clerk of Court and collaborates with the Office’s executive team to ensure the Clerk’s Office functions as a unified, high-performing organization. The Attorney Advisor may serve as project lead on initiatives that affect aspects of Clerk’s Office operations.

Occasional travel to the White Plains Courthouse may be required. Flexible part-time hours may be available between 30-40 hours/week. Responsibilities of the Attorney Advisor may include but are not limited to:

• Conduct legal research and provide advice to the Clerk of Court on matters of policy and procedure affecting Clerk’s Office operations, Court activities, and assigned projects.
• Analyze and interpret statutes, regulations, directives, Court rules, and orders affecting the operation of the Clerk’s Office and the Court, and monitor proposed legislation and policy changes for their impact on Court operations
• Conduct internal audits and reviews of Clerk’s Office operations to ensure compliance with applicable statutes, rules, policies, and procedures
• Draft memoranda, administrative orders, official correspondence, and other documents for the Clerk of Court and Chief Judge; proofread documents and verify citations
• Prepare responses to surveys and requests for information from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, attorneys, other clerks’ offices, and the public regarding statutes, rules, policies, and procedures
• Draft responses to public and attorney inquiries regarding Court procedures
• Provide administrative support and counsel to the Clerk’s Office Committee, including drafting agendas and presentations, attending meetings, and recording minutes
• Serve as project lead for certain operational initiatives, directing project scope, timelines, and deliverables with an emphasis on legal and procedural requirements
• Collaborate with team members to assess the impact of proposed technology solutions on operations
• Prepare and maintain comprehensive project documentation, including project plans, status report, and implementation assessments
• Provide administrative support and counsel to the SDNY Rules Committee and the Joint EDNY/SDNY Rules Committee, including meeting logistics, attendance, and drafting of minutes
• Serve as editor of the SDNY ECF Rules; maintain draft amendments, coordinate periodic review packages with stakeholders, and work with the Clerk and Clerk’s Office Committee on proposed revisions
• Recommend, draft, review, and edit rules, policies, procedures, forms, and templates pertaining to Court and Clerk’s Office…