Post-Judicial Clerkship Associate
Denver, CO | New York, NY | San Francisco, CA | Washington, D.C. | Hybrid — 3 days in office / 2 days remote
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COMPENSATION
Base: $159,000--$179,550 (commensurate with experience)
Bonus: Excess billable bonus for hours above 1,600
Benefits: Medical, dental, vision, HSA/FSA, STD/LTD, group life, 401(k), flexible PTO, parental leave, commuter transit coverage
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WHY THIS ROLE
A Chambers-ranked national infrastructure boutique timed specifically for Fall 2026 clerkship exits -- with a 1,600-hour billing target, a partner ratio well above industry norms, and an explicit promote-from-within culture that has produced a steady cadence of internal partner elevations. The firm handles work across airports, rail and transit, energy, environmental, real estate, and tribal law on a national platform, with multi-year deal flow driven by IIJA and IRA federal infrastructure spending. Associates argue at the Supreme Court and federal appellate level as juniors and own client work early -- the kind of hands-on exposure that takes years to reach at most BigLaw firms. If public-sector infrastructure law is why you went to law school, this is one of the few shops doing it at the highest level with humane hours.
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ABOUT THE ROLE
A nationally recognized transportation and infrastructure boutique is hiring a post-clerkship associate for a Fall 2026 start. You'll draft briefs, pleadings, and motions at trial and appellate levels, support complex regulatory and infrastructure litigation strategy, manage discovery, prepare witnesses for deposition and trial, and work across the firm's practice groups -- airports, rail/transit, real estate, land use, energy, environmental, and tribal law -- from day one.
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REQUIREMENTS
Experience: 0--3 years post-JD; recently completed or currently completing a judicial clerkship (federal district or appellate preferred; state acceptable)
• JD from an accredited law school with demonstrated academic excellence
• Admitted to practice in CO, NY, CA, or DC (must be barred in at least one jurisdiction where the firm has offices)
• Exceptional legal writing, analytical, and advocacy skills
• Mission-aligned -- motivated by public-sector impact, not BigLaw compensation
• Collaborative and entrepreneurial; comfortable working independently on complex matters
Preferred:
• Federal clerkship (district or appellate level)
• Prior experience (internship, externship, or otherwise) in transportation, airports, rail/transit, infrastructure, renewable energy, environmental, real estate, land use, or tribal law
Tech Stack: Westlaw / LexisNexis, Microsoft Teams, document management systems
Bar Admission: CO, NY, CA, or DC required (at least one jurisdiction where the firm has offices)
Visa Sponsorship: Not available
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LOGISTICS
Location: Denver, CO | New York, NY | San Francisco, CA | Washington, D.C.
Work Policy: Hybrid -- 3 days in office / 2 days remote (default for associates; in-person expectations flex with business needs and partner discretion)
Start Date: Fall 2026
Billing Target: 1,600 hours/year -- unlimited approved pro bono hours count toward this target
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