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Chief Judge Kevin A. Ohlson
United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
450 E St, NW
Washington, DC 20442-0001

CLERKSHIP OPPORTUNITY

The United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces exercises world-wide appellate jurisdiction over court-martial cases involving U.S. military personnel. Cases on our docket address a broad range of legal issues, including constitutional law, evidence, administrative law, and national security law. Our decisions are subject to direct review by the Supreme Court of the United States. Our clerks perform an important public service in an environment designed to enhance their legal skills. The Court's web site contains useful information about the Court, including recent decisions. Chief Judge Ohlson was born in Massachusetts. He attended Washington and Jefferson College on a four-year Army R.O.T.C. scholarship and graduated Phi Beta Kappa. He graduated from the University of Virginia School of Law in 1985. He served as a judge advocate and paratrooper in the United States Army, which included service in Operation Desert Storm where he was awarded the Bronze Star. Judge Ohlson held various positions in the U.S. Department of Justice during a career of more than twenty years, including as a federal prosecutor, Chief of Staff to the Deputy Attorney General, and Chief of Staff and Counselor to the Attorney General of the United States. Chief Judge Ohlson was nominated by President Obama to sit on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces, was confirmed by the Senate in 2013, and became Chief Judge on August 1, 2021.

This is a civilian clerkship and no prior military service or familiarity with the Uniform Code of Military Justice is required. Chief Judge Ohlson is seeking top law school performers with strong research and legal writing skills.

TERM CLERKSHIP

• Chief Judge Ohlson anticipates one opening for a full-time term clerk beginning August 2025 for a one year period.
• Consideration will be given to:
  • Students who have completed at least two years of law school at the time of application, and
  • Attorneys who have been in practice for less than three years at the time of application.
• The compensation for clerks is similar to that at other federal courts.
• Application period: From May 1, 2024, until the position is filled.

APPLICATION PROCESS

• Candidates for the clerkship should submit:  
• A brief cover letter
• A resume
• Law school transcript (a photocopy is acceptable)
• Two letters of recommendation from faculty members or employers familiar with the candidate's legal work
• A writing sample

Please submit applications via email to Ms. Kelly Walker at kelly.walker@armfor.uscourts.gov, U.S. Mail (allow 10-14 days for delivery), or by commercial delivery service. Address all correspondence to:

Chambers of Chief Judge Kevin A. Ohlson
USCAAF
450 E. Street, NW
Washington, DC 20442-0001

All questions should be directed to Ms. Kelly Walker at (202) 761-5211 or via email address noted above.