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The Honorable John E. Sparks
United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
450 E St, NW
Washington, DC 20442-0001

CLERKSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces is a five-judge civilian court that hears appeals in criminal cases arising in the Armed Forces. The Court has appellate jurisdiction over four intermediate appellate courts: the U.S. Army Court of Criminal Appeals, the U.S. Navy-Marine Corps Court of Criminal Appeals, the U.S. Air Force Court of Criminal Appeals, and the U.S. Coast Guard Court of Criminal Appeals. These four intermediate courts have appellate jurisdiction over courts-martial within their respective services. Courts-martial are military tribunals that have jurisdiction to try service members who are accused of committing crimes punishable under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Courts-martial follow rules of evidence and procedure that are similar to the rules that apply in federal criminal trials in the U.S. District Courts. The U.S. Supreme Court can review decisions of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces by writ of certiorari.

This is a civilian clerkship, and no prior military service or familiarity with the Uniform Code of Military Justice is required. The clerkship may be of special interest to applicants planning careers in criminal law and appellate litigation. Clerks in previous years have gone on to careers in the Armed Forces, national security agencies, non-profit institutions, and law firms.

ABOUT JUDGE SPARKS

Judge Sparks was appointed to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces on April 8, 2016. Judge Sparks graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and accepted a commission as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Marine Corps. After twenty-three years of service to the U.S. Marine Corps, he retired and served as Special Assistant for Civil Rights to the Secretary of Agriculture. He later served as the Principal Deputy General Counsel for the Department of the Navy. In December 2000, Judge Sparks joined the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces as the senior legal advisor to then Judge and later Chief Judge James E. Baker.

TERM CLERKSHIPS

Judge Sparks has filled all clerkship positions for the 2025-2026 term.  Information about future openings will be posted on this web site when available.