Description

The United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit seeks applications from all highly qualified individuals for a 14-year appointment as United States Bankruptcy Judge for the District of Puerto Rico at San Juan. The basic jurisdiction of a bankruptcy judge is specified in Title 28, United States Code, §§ 151-158, and explained in Title 11, United States Code, § 101, et seq. The courts provide fair and impartial justice within the jurisdiction conferred by the Constitution and Congress. Public trust and confidence are enhanced when the judiciary’s workforce is highly competent and dedicated to the cause of justice. The judiciary can and should strive to recruit and retain the best and the brightest from all backgrounds and life experiences. 

Requirements

To be qualified an applicant must: 

a) be a member in good standing of the bar of the highest court of at least one state, the District of Columbia, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and a member in good 
standing of every other bar of which the applicant is a member;  

b) (1) possess, and have a reputation for, integrity and good character; (2) possess, and have demonstrated, a commitment to equal justice under the law; (3) possess, and have demonstrated, outstanding legal ability and competence; (4) indicate by demeanor, character, and personality that the applicant would exhibit judicial temperament if 
appointed; and (5) be of sound physical and mental health sufficient to perform the essential duties of the office;  

c) not be related by blood or marriage to (1) a judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit, (2) a member of the Judicial Council of the First Circuit, or (3) a judge of the district court to be served, within the degrees specified in section 458 of Title 28, United States Code, at the time of the initial appointment; and  

d) have been engaged in the active practice of law for a period of at least five years.  The judicial council may consider other suitable legal experience as a substitute for the active practice of law.  

The selection process is confidential and competitive. The current annual salary is $229,908. Persons selected must comply with the financial disclosure requirements pursuant to the Ethics in Government Act of 1978, Title 5, United States Code Appendix, §§ 101-111, as implemented by the Judicial Conference of the United States. 

Application forms may be obtained by accessing the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit website at https://www.ca1.uscourts.gov/employment. Persons applying for this position and willing to serve if selected should personally submit their applications to Susan Goldberg, Circuit Executive, via email at ca01_chjobs@ca1.uscourts.gov.

Applications must be completed and submitted personally by the applicant and must be received no later than Wednesday, June 24, 2026. Appointment will be subject to an FBI full-field investigation, with a 15-year scope, and an IRS tax compliance check.  

Please note that applicants chosen to be interviewed by the Merit Selection Panel formed to screen and review applicants will be required to complete the Preliminary Disclosure Statement, which is available on the United States Court of Appeals for the First Circuit website at https://www.ca1.uscourts.gov/employment.