Curriculum Vitae
General Inquiries
For any questions regarding a case before Judge Clarke, please use the Chambers contact form on the right or call Judge Clarke's Courtroom Deputy at (541) 608-8770.
FRCP Rule 16 Conferences
Judge Clarke sets Rule 16 conferences in his cases after all defendants have answered. Prior to the conference, the parties should consult regarding a discovery plan and anticipate advising Judge Clarke of their plan. The parties should have their calendars available to discuss scheduling, including modification of the current case deadlines for discovery, dispositive motions or pretrial order, and setting a trial date. The parties should be prepared to discuss the pleadings, consent to Magistrate Judge, settlement options, and any other issues that may have arisen.
Discovery Issues
The parties may contact Judge Clarke at (541) 608-8750 to informally resolve discovery disputes. If the parties wish to schedule a discovery conference in advance, they may use the Chambers contact form on the right or call Judge Clarke's Courtroom Deputy at (541) 608-8770.
Argument on Motions
Most of the time, Judge Clarke will grant a request for oral argument. Telephone hearings are normally set for out of town counsel.
Trial Setting
Trial is usually scheduled at the Rule 16 conference. The Court will enter a trial management order which sets out the dates that certain pretrial documents are due. Pretrial conferences are in person at the Courthouse in Medford.
Trial Management Order - Clarke.pdf
Settlement Conferences
Judge Clarke is available to conduct settlement conferences in cases which are not assigned to him. In cases assigned to Judge Clarke, settlement conferences will be conducted by another Judge. In either situation, parties may request a settlement conference by contacting Judge Clarke's Courtroom Deputy at (541) 608-8770, or by using the Chambers contact form on the right.
Settlement Conference Instructions - Clarke.pdf
Courtroom Rules
- Mobile devices must be turned off before entering the courtroom.
- Please provide advance notice when you require teleconferencing, intend to utilize the courtroom's video displays, or have other presentation technology questions.
- Attorneys and parties should conduct themselves with decorum and manners. This is primarily for your own benefit: jurors, courtroom staff, and public observers consistently state that they prefer a civil and collegial relationship between opposing parties and counsel.
Summer Externship Program 2023
United States Magistrate Judge Mark D. Clarke is accepting applications from first- and second-year law students for a summer externship program at the U.S. District Court in Medford, Oregon. The position is a full-time, unpaid position, beginning May 30 and ending August 4, 2023.
Externs complete a wide variety of assignments for Judge Clarke. The majority of the externs’ work is legal research and writing on civil cases that are before the Court on various motions, most often summary judgment and motions to dismiss. Students read the briefs, attend oral argument, and draft bench memoranda and full opinions. Student work is closely supervised by the judge and his law clerks. Typical cases include civil rights claims, personal injury suits, contract and insurance disputes, environmental litigation, social security appeals, as well as any other state law issues that arise under diversity or supplemental jurisdiction. Externs are also expected to observe all hearings, criminal sentencings, trials, and status conferences that take place in the courthouse on any given day.
Interested students should apply with the following materials: cover letter, resume, writing sample (5 page maximum), and law school transcript (grade printout is fine if no official transcript is available). First-year students who have not yet received their grades may supplement their materials after submitting their initial application. Preference will be given to first-year law students, but all law students can apply.
A single .pdf file containing all materials is the preferred formatting. Please email the file with the subject line '2023 JUDICIAL EXTERNSHIP' to .
Cover letters should be addressed to:
Hon. Mark D. Clarke
James A. Redden United States Courthouse
310 West Sixth Street
Medford, Oregon 97501
Applications will be accepted until February 17, 2023.