Frequently Asked Questions for Applicants


When can I access OSCAR to search and apply for law clerk positions, and when will OSCAR release my applications?

Access to OSCAR and the release of applications is determined by the Federal Law Clerk Hiring Plan (FLCHP). 

When can I access OSCAR to search and apply for staff attorney positions, and when will OSCAR release my applications?

Access to OSCAR is determined by the Federal Law Clerk Hiring Plan (FLCHP). All applications to staff attorney positions are released immediately and are not controlled by the FLCHP.

What are the citizenship requirements for law clerk and staff attorney positions?

Employees of the United States federal government must meet the appropriations law requirements in order to be appointed into a paid position within the judiciary in the continental United States. The appropriations law requirements are provided on the web page Citizenship Requirements for Employment in the Judiciary.

I graduated from a non-U.S. law school. Can I register for OSCAR?

Yes, you can register for OSCAR, but you must select "Other" from the drop-down list of law schools. OSCAR only lists law schools that are accredited by the American Bar Association.

My law school is not listed on the drop-down list. What should I do?

OSCAR provides a drop-down list of all law schools that are accredited by the American Bar Association. If your school is not on the list, you will need to select "Other" from the drop-down list.

Can I use OSCAR to apply to both law clerk and staff attorney positions?

Yes. You can create and submit applications for both types of positions in OSCAR.

For law clerk positions, OSCAR lists the following types of clerkships: term law clerk-chambers, career law clerk-chambers, temporary law clerk-chambers, pro se law clerk, death penalty law clerk, and bankruptcy appellate panel (BAP) law clerk. The term law clerk-chambers, career law clerk-chambers, and temporary law clerk-chambers work in the chambers of the hiring judge. The pro se law clerk, death penalty law clerk, and BAP law clerk positions are posted under the chief judge, and these positions serve the court.

Appellate staff attorney offices use OSCAR to hire staff attorneys. Staff attorneys work for multiple judges in an appellate staff attorney office in courts of appeals.

What time is my application due when applying to a position?

All applications must be submitted on the position close date by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. All times in OSCAR are Eastern Time.

Note: Judges and staff attorney offices maintain the ability to close a position at any time.

Should I send a paper application to an OSCAR judge or staff attorney office who has not yet posted a position?

No. Judges and staff attorney offices do not store applications, whether paper or online, for possible future openings. If a position has not been posted, that means the judge or staff attorney office is not accepting applications.

OSCAR provides applicants with the option in their profile to receive email alerts regarding new position postings (My Profile > Email Frequency). OSCAR also provides a Hiring Practices field for each judge, which contains information regarding hiring preferences and schedules specific to each judge. You can find hiring practices information under Judicial Directory > Judges List > Judge Information.