Assistant Reporter of Decisions

Summary

This is a full-time position with the Office of the Reporter of Decisions at the Supreme Court of the United States in Washington, D.C. Closing Date: Monday, 09/20/2026, 11:59 PM ET Please note that this vacancy has a limit of 200 applicants. The job opportunity announcement will automatically close if that limit is reached prior to the closing date.

Duties

• The Assistant Reporter of Decisions assists the Reporter of Decisions in fulfilling the Reporter's statutory responsibility to prepare the Court's decisions for initial release and official publication in the United States Reports (preliminary prints and bound volumes). Responsibilities of the Assistant Reporter of Decisions may include but are not limited to: MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES: Legal Review: Writes, alternately with Reporter and Deputy Reporter, syllabuses for the Court's opinions. Edits the Court's opinions for accuracy and standardization of format and style in preparation for release and publication in the United States Reports. Prepares the indexes for each preliminary print of the United States Reports; checks clerical staff's compilation of bound volumes indexes. Reviews page proofs of the Court's opinions to update citations and for possible further editorial changes; reads page proofs of orders, tables, and indexes, and marks cross-references, for preliminary prints. Reviews preliminary prints for possible final editorial changes prior to publication of bound volumes. Office Administration: Answers public inquiries and in-house inquiries (e.g., of Justices' law clerks). Assists Reporter in supervising the office staff and in handling miscellaneous office procedures.

Qualifications

At least three years' editorial experience in legal publishing field, particularly at the managerial level, is desirable. At the full performance level, the position requires thorough knowledge of federal and state law reports and court systems; federal statutory system; methods of legal research; and English grammar, punctuation, and spelling. General knowledge of major fields of law, with special emphasis on federal constitutional law. Demonstrated aptitude for legal writing. Knowledge of legal publication procedures, including digital publication is desirable.

Education

Law school graduate and, preferably, admission to the bar of some State and at least five years practical experience in the field of law (practice of law, government attorney, corporate attorney, etc.).

How to apply

You must upload the cover letter and resume. These two documents are required and must be received by the closing date, 09/20/2026, in order to be considered. Please submit only these documents unless you have prior federal and/or military experience. In that case your most recent SF-50, Statement of Service, and/or DD-214 will also be required. To begin, click Apply Online to create a USAJobs account or log in to your existing account. Follow the prompts to select your USAJobs resume and/or other supporting documents and complete the occupational questionnaire. Click the Submit My Answers button to submit your application package. It is your responsibility to ensure your responses and appropriate documentation is submitted prior to the closing date. To verify your application is complete, log into your USAJobs account, https://www.usajobs.gov, select the Application Status link and then select the More Information link for this position. The Details page will display the status of your application, the documentation received and processed, and any correspondence the agency has sent related to this application. Your uploaded documents may take several hours to clear the virus scan process. To return to an incomplete application, log into your USAJobs account and click Update Application in the vacancy announcement. You must re-select your resume and/or other documents from your USAJobs account or your application will be incomplete.