Current Employment Opportunities

Law Clerk Positions  

(Archived Job Descriptions Pre 2007)

• Law Clerk

• Trial Law Clerk

• Judiciary Law Clerk

Law Clerk

PRO SE LAW CLERK: United States District Court Central District of California. Summary: United States District Court Central District of California invites applications for the position of full-time Pro Se Law Clark. The Pro Se Law Clerk will work under the supervision of a United States Magistrate Judge on pro se habeas corpus, civil rights actions and Social Security cases. Duties: At present, the Court anticipates that the applicant will work primarily in conjunction with cases assigned to the Western Division of the Court and would be assigned a duty station at the federal courthouse in Los Angeles. More than one vacancy may be filled through this recruitment. Qualifications: Candidates must have strong academic credentials from an ABA-accredited law school, polished writing skills and superior analytical ability. Bar membership and litigation experience preferred. Applicants must be computer literate. Salary: $56,896 to $124,572 per year. (2006)

PRINCIPAL LAW CLERK TO JUDGE: Supreme Court, Criminal Term, New York, New York. Summary: Principal Law Clerks to Judge are responsible for researching and analyzing uniquely intricate, complex and sensitive legal issues and question for individual judges. They also provide other personal and confidential assistance to an individual judge or judges.  Principal Law Clerks to Judge are appointed by all Supreme Court, the Court of Claims and in the following courts in accordance with staffing needs. Principal Law Clerks to Judges are personally appointed by they judge or judges for whom they work and serve at their pleasure. Duties: This position requires researching and analyzing complex issues arising during trial and motion practice in the court, handling communications to the Justice, and supervising interns.  Candidates must have exceptional research/writing skills, excellent organizational abilities and strong communication skills. Qualifications: admission to the New York State Bar; and two years of service in the associate law clerk to judge title, or five years experience in criminal trial or appellate litigation within New York State Courts; or equivalent legal experience. (2005)

LAW CLERK: Summary: Under general supervision, performs legal research, analysis and writing; and under the specific guidance of a judge, assists in drafting opinions, orders, calendar notices, and decisions. Duties: Performs legal research, analysis and writing. Examines briefs, case records and legal authorities. Writes memoranda and occasionally recommends questions for a judge's use at oral argument. Recommends disposition of cases, and under guidance of a judge, drafts decisions, orders, finding of fact and other legal documents for judge's review and approval. Reads recent opinions and professional journals to keep current on legal issues. May assist judge authoring an opinion to incorporate or reconcile suggestions made by other judges; provide technical review of proposed opinions and alert judge to errors of fact and law; act as a sounding board for the judge; maintain the law library; and set up courtroom and recording equipment; and record court proceedings. Qualifications: Must be a graduate of an accredited law school with experience performing legal research and writing. (2001)

LAW CLERK: Colville Tribal Court, Nespelem, Washington, is seeking two individuals interested in filling the position of Law Clerk from June 1 through August 30, 1998.  This position will include but not limited to the following, Duties:  legal research and opinions; preparing case documentation; developing database and retrieval system to track statistical information on domestic violence, case outcomes, types of cases, protection orders, and other information as requested; maintenance of the Colville Tribal Law Library; and other designated duties by the Chief Judge.  Qualifications:  Law school student - transcripts must be provided; must not have been convicted of any criminal charges involving moral turpitude; and Indian preference.  Compensation is limited to: $400 monthly stipend; $300 per week. (1998)

LAW CLERK CS-904-10 (Temporary, not to exceed 13 months): District of Columbia Courts, Washington, D.C.  Summary: Works under the direct supervision of the Register of Wills.  Performs legal research on complex issues for the Register of Wills and deputies, where required.  Reviews new decision of the D.C. Court of Appeals, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia and decisions reported in the Daily Law Reporter and U.S. Law Weeks; maintains an index of recent judicial decisions affecting the Probate Division. Reviews recent legislation and determines impact upon the division.  Prepares Legal memoranda on technical legal issues.  Performs other duties as assigned.  Qualifications:  A law degree from an accredited law school and one year of legal experience.  Documentation of education (copy of college degree or transcript or letter from registrar) must be included with application by closing date.  (Membership in D.C. Bar preferred.)  Annual salary range:  $32,364 - $41,712. (1998)

LAW CLERK: District Court, Wahpeton, North Dakota.  Duties:  research and examine applicable law, prior court decisions, documents, opinions, briefs, the record, case and transcripts, to obtain information and provide interpretations applicable to cases under jurisdiction of the court; prepare legal memoranda and statement of issues involved, including appropriate suggestions or recommendations to the judges; draft proposed opinions as directed; compile references on laws and decisions necessary for legal determinations, shepardize cases either manually or by computerized inquiry; read and digest briefs, petitions, motions, and opinions and extracts excerpts pertinent to points of fact and law; and perform related work as required.  Qualifications:  graduate of an accredited law school.  Salary range:  $2,724 per month. (1994)

LAW CLERK:Southeast Judicial District, North Dakota.  Summary: The clerk's primary chamber is Jamestown.  This is a one-year, non-career track position starting August 1 and ending July 31.  Incumbent may apply for a second year.  Top applicants will be interviewed by the three district judges.  The incumbent serves three district court judges in the southeast judicial district with chambers in Wahpeton, Valley City, and Jamestown ; analyzes, appraises, and organizes facts, evidence, and precedents in assigned cases; and drafts findings, opinions, and recommendations.  Qualifications: include graduation from an accredited law school and knowledge of general law, state law, established precedent and sources of legal reference, court procedures, and rules of evidence.  Word-processing skills and LEXIS training is helpful.  Some travel with be required throughout the nine counties of the district at the direction of the requesting judge.  Salary is $25,000-31,000 annually.  (1993)

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Trial Court Law Clerk

TRIAL COURT LAW CLERK: Fourth Judicial Circuit, Jacksonville, Florida.  Qualifications: include a law degree from an ABA-accredited school, membership in good standing in the Florida Bar (or preparing to take the Florida Bar Exam), and proficiency in legal research and writing.  Salary starts at $2,558 monthly, plus benefits (10 percent less prior to admission to the Florida Bar). (1993)

TRIAL COURT LAW CLERK: Seventh Judicial Circuit, Daytona Beach, Florida.  Duties: This position requires a knowledge of legal principles, statutory and case law, court rules and procedures, as well as legal research skills, comprehensive knowledge of legal publications, the ability to reason logically and analytically, and the ability to comprehend and analyze complex legal issues and complicated factual details.  Attention to detail, exceptional reading skills, ability to digest and communicate ideas and concepts, and the ability to exercise discretion, confidentiality, impartiality, and honesty in handling matters before the court is also required.  Qualifications: graduation from an accredited law school and membership in the Florida Bar.  Salary range is $2,235.59-3,974.99 per month, depending upon status of Florida Bar membership.  (1993)

TRIAL LAW CLERK: Ninth Judicial Circuit, Orlando, Florida.  Qualifications: include graduation from an accredited law school; membership in the Florida Bar; knowledge of legal principles, statutory and case law, court rules and procedures; legal research skills, comprehensive knowledge of legal publications and the ability to use them efficiently; ability to reason logically and analytically; ability to grasp, comprehend, and analyze complex legal issues and complicated facts; ability to perform exacting work, attentive to issues in matters before the court; exceptional reading skills; ability to digest and communicate ideas and concepts orally and in writing; ability to exercise discretion, confidentiality, impartiality, and honesty in handling matters before the court; ability to work effectively with others.  Salary is $2,483-3,974 (if member of the Florida bar) or $2,235 (if law school graduate awaiting bar results).  (1992)

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Judiciary Law Clerk

JUDICIARY LAW CLERK: New Jersey Judiciary. Summary: Start your legal career in a court system recognized as one of the best in the nation and enhance your future career prospects. Professional law clerk positions are available in the New Jersey Judiciary for individuals with strong communication and analytical skills. Supreme Court law clerks work with justices on complex cases involving difficult issues of law. Appellate Division law clerks conduct research, analyze legal data, prepare legal memoranda, process emergent motion applications, and proofread published opinions. Law clerks for assignment judges learn all aspects of court administration and assist with processing emergent motions. Trial court law clerks gain practical experience while gaining valuable insight into the judicial process. Under the direction of one or more judges over the course of the year, trial court law clerks observe judicial proceedings, attend conferences with attorneys and judges, receive training in mediation and mediate small claims cases and summarize information for judges. Tax Court law clerks perform duties similar to those assigned to law clerks in the Appellate Division and trial courts, but do not mediate cases. Law clerks may hold outside employment with prior approval as provided in the Code of Conduct for Judiciary Employees. The Code is available online at njcourtsonline.com under Legal Reference Desk in the Rules of Court. Qualifications: Law clerks must have graduated from a law school approved by the American Bar Association by the time of their law clerk appointment. The Judiciary’s law clerkship program is intended for recent law school graduates who have not yet engaged in the practice of law. Selected candidates will be required to provide an official, final law school transcript, not a photocopy, which includes the date of graduation from their law school at the time of hire. Excellent writing and analytical skills are essential. Salary: $39,179 - $51,493. (2006)

JUDICIARY LAW CLERK: Superior Court of New Jersey, Morris and Sussex Vicinage. Summary: The Morris/Sussex Vicinage anticipates professional law clerk openings for candidates who possess strong communication and analytical skills. Trial court law clerks obtain practical experience while gaining valuable insight into the judicial process by assisting attorneys and judges in court, meeting with litigants, and researching or preparing legal documents. Duties: Under the direction of one or more judges over the course of the year, trial court law clerks observe judicial proceedings, attend conferences with attorneys and judges, receive training in mediation and mediate small claims cases and summarize information for judges. Qualifications: Law clerks must have graduated from a law school approved by the American Bar Association by the time of their law clerk appointment. The Judiciary’s law clerkship program is intended for recent law school graduates who have not yet engaged in the practice of law. Selected candidates will be required to provide an official, final law school transcript, not a photocopy, which includes the date of graduation from their law school at the time of hire. Excellent writing and analytical skills are essential. Salary: $35,000. (2005)

JUDICIAL LAW CLERK: Tucson, Arizona. Summary: Performs legal and other related work at the direction of a Superior Court Judge. Duties: Performs independent research of issues of law as directed by the judge and develops interpretations of legal questions. Researches and verifies points of law cited by attorneys in memoranda to the judge. Provides input to and discusses pending cases and decisions with the judge. Participates in conferences and discussions between trial attorneys and the judge. Assists in writing and preparing judicial opinions, and decisions and citations. Assists in processing and tracking complex litigation assigned to the court. Maintains the judge’s law library and assembles and updates appropriate documents. May perform other tasks to aid in the administration of the judge’s docket and caseload. Courtroom Duties: Prepares the courtroom for the day’s cases. Assures all parties involved in the proceedings are present. Maintains order in the courtroom at all times during the sessions of the court. Maintains integrity of the jury and insures that no outside person makes any communication while they are deliberating. Escorts jurors and witnesses to and from the courtroom. Tends to all the needs of the jury, answers all non-legal questions and provides all possible assistance. Contacts, by telephone, all those required in the court session, such as attorneys and witnesses. Calls jurors, by telephone, to appear for jury duty at the next day’s session. Assist in emergency evacuations as directed in the Disaster/Emergency Response Procedure’s manual. Maintain jury deliberation room in an orderly manner. Qualifications: Graduation from an accredited college of law. Salary: $16.56/hour. (2005)

JUDICIARY LAW CLERK: New Jersey Judiciary; Summary: There are approximately 400 clerkships available for Court Year 1995-1996.  Law clerks who serve in the appellate courts (Supreme Court and Appellate Division) and the Tax Court perform a substantial amount of legal research and prepare memoranda, among other duties.  Excellent writing and analytical skills are required.  Trial Court law clerks perform legal research; draft, edit, and proofread legal correspondence; maintain judges' libraries; attend conferences with attorneys and judges; attend training in mediation and mediate small claims cases; and perform related assigned duties at the pleasure of and under the direction of a judge or several judges over the course of a year if the county uses a rotation program.  Qualifications: Recent graduate of an American Bar Association (ABA) approved law school at time of Judiciary law clerk appointment.  The salaries for Court Year 1995-1996 are to be determined for all New Jersey Judiciary law clerk positions.  However, salary levels for Court Year 1994-1995 in the Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Superior Court (General Equity), and Tax Court range from $30,000 to $36,000.  The current recommended salary for Court Year 1994-1995 for trial court clerkships is $30,000; however, the actual salaries vary from county to county.  (1994)

JUDICIARY LAW CLERK: New Jersey Judiciary; 90 positions available in tax and trial courts.  Duties: law clerks who serve in the tax court perform a substantial amount of legal research, prepare memoranda, and other related duties.  Trial court law clerks who serve in this position may perform legal research; draft, edit, and proofread legal correspondence; maintain judges' libraries; handle document assembling, attend conferences with attorneys and judges; attend training in mediation and mediate small claims cases; and perform related assigned duties.  Qualifications: recent graduation from an ABA-approved law school at time of judiciary law clerk appointment.  Possible requirement: possession of a valid New Jersey driver's license.  Salaries range from $30,000 - $33,000, depending on assignment.  (1994)

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