The United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit invites applications from qualified candidates for a 14-year appointment as United States Bankruptcy Judge. There are two vacancies in the Southern District of New York in Manhattan and one vacancy in the Eastern District of New York in Brooklyn. Both the full vacancy announcement and the application form are posted on the Court’s website at www.ca2.uscourts.gov. Applicants should identify in their cover letter whether they wish to be considered for a bankruptcy judgeship in the Southern District of New York, the Eastern District of New York, or both. The selection process will be confidential and competitive. Applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, sexual orientation, or disability.
The current annual salary of a United States Bankruptcy Judge is $191,088.
The Second Circuit uses an open and competitive selection process. All applications are screened by a Merit Selection Committee. The Committee will review applicants using the following criteria: legal competence evidenced by experience with complex legal issues; an aptitude for legal scholarship and writing; familiarity with the courts and court processes; commitment to equal justice under the law; characteristics indicative of a sound judicial temperament; a reputation for integrity, good character and ethical behavior; and physical and mental health sufficient to meet the demands and tenure of the position. The Merit Selection Committee will select a limited number of applicants for interview and will conduct appropriate due diligence inquiries into the candidates’ backgrounds and qualifications. Upon a majority vote of the Second Circuit Judicial Council, the Council will forward the Merit Selection Committee’s Report with any recommendations or comments to the active judges of the Court of Appeals. The selected nominee will be required to satisfy FBI and IRS background investigations prior to appointment.
Basic qualifications for consideration include:
- Membership in good standing of at least one state bar, the District of Columbia bar, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico bar, and never other than membership in good standing of every bar of which the applicant has been a member; and
- A minimum of five years of legal practice experience.
Application forms are posted on the Court’s website at www.ca2.uscourts.gov, may be obtained by calling (212) 857-8700, or may be found here.
Completed application packages must be in the format required by the Second Circuit and received no later than March 6, 2020.
Mailing address:
Michael D. Jordan
Circuit Executive
United States Courthouse
40 Foley Square, Room 2904
New York, NY 10007