U.S. District Court - Western Missouri

Kansas City, Missouri

The Court is currently seeking a Term Law Clerk for the Honorable Cynthia A. Norton, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge.

The person holding this position will maintain an office in Kansas City, Missouri.

Term Law Clerks may serve for up to a four-year term subject to eligibility and at the discretion of the judge.

Judge Norton will retire at the end of her term on January 31, 2027. Although an on-site law clerk is preferred, Judge Norton will consider a remote or hybrid position for the right candidate. The first available start date is December 15, 2025. 



Job Number:  01-251015-02: Term Law Clerk to Chief U.S. Bankruptcy Judge


Company Name:  U.S. District Court - Western Missouri



Position Description

Judge Norton prefers a collaborative atmosphere within her chambers. The chambers will meet regularly to discuss cases and issues before the court. Term law clerks work closely with the Judge in all aspects of the work of the chambers, including research and analysis of legal and factual issues; drafting memos, orders and opinions, including appellate opinions for the Eighth Circuit Bankruptcy Appellate Panel; supervising interns; and preparing for, observing, and debriefing after court proceedings. Term law clerks are also involved with case management, preparing legal education materials, and both bankruptcy and non-bankruptcy mediations, among other duties.

Judge Norton is a mediator for the Western District of Missouri's Mediation and Assessment Program where she is assigned civil cases from the federal district court to mediate. She also volunteers to mediate bankruptcy cases in front of her colleagues in the Western District of Missouri as well as other jurisdictions. Term law clerks are expected to track, schedule, prepare for, assist in and observe the mediations.

Judge Norton is an active writer and educator, both locally and nationally. She speaks at numerous seminars on a variety of topics and has also served on the Federal Judicial Center's Bankruptcy Education Advisory Committee, which assists with training all newly appointed bankruptcy judges. Judge Norton is currently the Immediate Past President of the National Conference of Bankruptcy Judges


All applicants should visit www.mow.uscourts.gov for general information about the Court.

Judge Norton will retire at the end of her term on January 31, 2027. Although an on-site law clerk is preferred, Judge Norton will consider a remote or hybrid position for the right candidate.

The first available start date is December 15, 2025. 



Application Procedure:

Qualified applicants must submit one PDF file containing all the following to be considered:
• A detailed cover letter;
• A detailed resume;
• Unofficial law school transcript;
• Two letters of reference;
• Contact information for three additional professional references;
• A legal writing sample unedited by anyone else; and
• A completed application for Judicial Branch Federal Employment – form AO78 - Link to form: https://www.uscourts.gov/forms-rules/forms/application-judicial-branch-federal-employment


Submit application materials to Kathy Popejoy in HR via email: kathy_popejoy@mow.uscourts.gov