Becoming a Federal Magistrate Judge
Duties, Appointment, and Discussion

Monday, December 13, 2021
Recording and Panel Resources

 

Becoming a Federal Magistrate Judge—Duties, Appointment, and Discussion

Monday, December 13, 2021, 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. via Zoom webinar (link to recording).

Resource Page – this web page provides a list of educational resources for lawyers interested in becoming a federal magistrate judge.

What is a Magistrate Judge?

This four-page document provides a brief summary of the roles, responsibilities, appointment process, and impact of a Magistrate Judge.

 

The Federal Lawyer Special Issue: United States Magistrate Judges (May/June 2014)

This special issue of The Federal Lawyer, published by the Federal Bar Association, includes almost twenty articles on the selection, role, work, and experiences of federal magistrate judges.

 

How Magistrate Judges are Selected, Appointed, and Reappointed

By James W. Satola, published in The Federal Lawyer, May/June 2014

This three-page article details the process in which magistrate judges are selected, appointed, and reappointed.  It covers the essential qualifications and requirements for appointment as a Magistrate Judge; the application process and appointment of a merit-selection panel; the evaluation and recommendation process by the merit-selection panel to the Court; the selection process; and, the reappointment process.

 

A Guide to the Legislative History of the Federal Magistrate Judges System

Published September 2009 by the Magistrate Judges Division of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts

This 120-page guide provides a detailed legislative history of the United States Federal Magistrate Judges system. This document covers topics from the implementation of the Federal Magistrates Act of 1968 to the Court Security Improvement Act of 2007.

 

A Guide to the Federal Magistrate Judges System

By Peter G. McCabe, published by the Federal Bar Association, August 2014 (updated October 2016)

This 78-page article discusses the creation, history, and current role and duties of Magistrate Judges in the federal court system.

 

Knowledge Seminar: Magistrate Judges-Integral to the Judiciary – YouTube

This hour-long YouTube video provides an overview of the role of a Magistrate Judge and explains the steps to becoming a Magistrate Judge. The video features U.S. District Judge Paul Grimm, District of Maryland; Magistrate Judge Candy W. Dale, District of Idaho; Magistrate Judge Kevin N. Fox, Southern District of New York; and Chief Magistrate Judge Joseph C. Spero, Northern District of California.

 

Magistrate Judges: Serving the Judiciary and the Public – YouTube

This four-minute YouTube video covers the tremendous impact that Magistrate Judges have had on the federal judicial system and how they have helped increase access to justice.

 

Tips to Becoming A Magistrate Judge – YouTube

This nine-minute YouTube video from the Federal Magistrate Judges Association Diversity Committee provides advice and suggestions on how to become a Magistrate Judge.

Code of Conduct for Unites States Judges

This webpage is an excerpt from the Guide to Judiciary Policy, Volume 2, Part A, Chapter 2, Code of Conduct for United States Judges.  This code of conduct applies to all United States Judges, including Magistrate Judges, and lists the five canons of judicial conduct: (1) Integrity and Independence of the Judiciary; (2) Avoidance of Impropriety; (3) Fairness, Impartiality, and Diligence; (4) Permissible Extrajudicial Activities; and, (5) Restraint from Political Activity.

 

United States Magistrate Judge Application Form

This is a sample application from a prior Magistrate Judge opening in the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota.  Please note that the form is subject to change.  In the future, when the court posts a new opening, an applicant will need to use the application issued for that specific posting.

 

Benefits and Retirement for Magistrate Judges

The Judges Compensation and Retirement Division provides this information to Magistrate Judges regarding available insurance, flexible spending and retirement plan options. Additional information on compensation and benefits is available on the U.S. Courts’ website.

 

LINKS