Keith Mack
Law clerks in New Jersey can gain hands-on experience in a nationally recognized court environment. The state offers a 53-week clerkship program in the Supreme, Appellate, Tax, or Superior Courts, where clerks can gain exposure to various areas of law, including family, civil, criminal, and tax law. The role of a law clerk involves conducting legal research, analyzing legal data, preparing legal documents, and interacting with judges, lawyers, and litigants. While law clerks gain valuable experience and insight into the legal process, they are not authorized to practice law independently in New Jersey. To practice law, one must be admitted to the New Jersey State Bar and meet the requirements to become a licensed attorney.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nature of work | Clerks work directly with judges, lawyers, and litigants. |
| Work opportunities | 500+ law clerk jobs in New Jersey |
| Salary range | $28k-$43k |
| Work location | Judges' chambers are located in Newark and Trenton |
| Work experience | Busy days, challenging work, and new relationships |
| Work benefits | Paid leave and student loan forgiveness |
| Work skills | Legal research, legal writing, and mediation training or coursework |
| Work connections | Judges, practicing attorneys, and other clerks |
| Work requirements | No need to be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident |
| Work duration | 53-week clerkship program |
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What You'll Learn
Law clerk qualifications and requirements
Law clerks, also known as judicial clerks or judicial law clerks, are legal professionals who support attorneys, judges, or legal departments. They are responsible for conducting legal research, analyzing cases, and preparing legal documents. While law clerks typically hold a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree and a master's degree in law, it is not always necessary to have a law degree to become a law clerk.
Qualifications and Requirements
The qualifications and requirements for becoming a law clerk can vary depending on the specific role and employer. However, here is a general overview of the typical qualifications and requirements:
- Education: A bachelor's degree is typically the minimum requirement for law clerks. While there is no required major, many law clerks have degrees in political science, pre-law, or similar fields. Some employers may prefer candidates with a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree or a master's degree in law.
- Experience: Prior experience in a legal setting is often preferred. This could include internships, paralegal work, or other legal positions. Some employers may specifically seek candidates with experience in a particular area of law, such as municipal law or land use.
- Skills: Strong research, writing, and analytical skills are essential for law clerks. They must be able to communicate effectively with attorneys, judges, colleagues, and clients. Proficiency in legal research and drafting legal documents is crucial. Additionally, knowledge of specific software or computer systems may be beneficial.
- Bar Exam: In some states, law clerks may be required to take and pass the state bar exam. However, this is not a universal requirement, as exemplified by New Jersey, where law clerks are not mandated to take the bar exam.
- Residency: Residency requirements can vary depending on the state and the specific position. For example, in New Jersey, law clerks are exempt from the state's residency law during their 53-week term. However, those intending to move into another state position immediately after their clerkship must establish New Jersey residency upon completion of their term.
- Authorization to Work: Law clerks must be duly authorized to work under immigration law, even if they are not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents.
Application Process
The application process for law clerk positions can vary. Some positions may require applicants to submit an online application, resume, and cover letter. References or letters of recommendation from law schools or previous employers may also be requested. In some cases, applicants may be contacted directly by judges or justices for interviews.
Clerkship Opportunities
Clerkship opportunities are available in various court systems, including state courts, federal courts, and specific divisions such as the Appellate Division or Tax Court. These clerkships typically last for one or two years and provide valuable experience and insights into the legal profession.
Benefits of Clerkships
Clerking is often viewed as a stepping stone to becoming an attorney and can offer significant resume value. It provides a unique perspective on the legal system, allowing clerks to build a network of professional contacts, including judges, attorneys, and other legal professionals. The experience gained through clerkships is highly regarded by many public interest organizations, government agencies, and major law firms.
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Types of law clerkships
In New Jersey, there are several types of law clerkships available for recent graduates from ABA-approved law schools. These include:
Supreme Court Law Clerkships
Supreme Court law clerks work closely with justices on complex cases involving difficult issues of law. This type of clerkship provides valuable experience in a challenging and dynamic environment.
Appellate Division Law Clerkships
Appellate Division law clerks are responsible for conducting research, analyzing legal data, preparing legal memoranda, processing emergent motion applications, and proofreading published opinions. They work on a diverse range of cases, including civil, criminal, family, municipal, and Tax Court appeals. Strong writing and editing skills are essential for this role, along with knowledge of Bluebook rules.
Trial Court Law Clerkships
Trial court law clerks gain practical experience by observing judicial proceedings and interacting with attorneys and judges. They gain valuable insights into the judicial process and may also receive training in mediation, case management, and summarizing information for judges.
Civil Law Clerkships
Civil law clerks focus on civil litigation and may receive specialized training in mediation. They play a crucial role in small claims cases and assist judges by summarizing information and providing legal support.
Tax Court Law Clerkships
Tax Court law clerks work directly with practicing judges and gain real-world experience on judicial tax challenges. They develop expertise in tax law and provide legal research and writing support in this specialized area.
Superior Court Law Clerkships
Superior Court law clerks are exposed to a variety of divisions, including family, civil, criminal, and chancery divisions. They may work in the General Equity Court or handle community association law, landlord-tenant law, and commercial/residential real estate matters.
These clerkships offer a unique opportunity to work in New Jersey's progressive and innovative court system, gaining hands-on experience and building a strong foundation for a legal career.
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Law clerk responsibilities
Law clerks are legal professionals who support attorneys, judges, or legal departments. They are heavily involved in the research aspect of a legal matter and help judges and lawyers by referring to legal books, journals, prior cases, and other reference materials. Law clerks are responsible for:
- Conducting legal research
- Analyzing cases
- Preparing legal documents
- Assisting judges in managing court proceedings
- Maintaining records
- Handling legal documents
- Managing evidence
- Taking statements from witnesses
- Providing additional assistance to judges during courtroom proceedings
- Drafting legal documents, including records of legal proceedings and trial briefs
- Maintaining the chamber's library
- Communicating with attorneys, judges, and other colleagues
- Communicating with clients
The role of a judicial law clerk may vary depending on the judge they work under, but they are mainly responsible for helping judges with different cases. They are seen as the judge's right hand and are trusted with confidential information. Some common duties include:
- Reading and analyzing the briefs and appendices submitted by the parties
- Presenting the facts
- Discussing the pertinent legal issues in applying the applicable case law
- Editing the opinions authored by their judge and other judges
- Assisting with client communication
- Working cooperatively with chambers staff and court personnel
Law clerks are usually recent law school graduates, but some firms and courts hire promising students who have completed at least one year of their Juris Doctor degree. Most law clerks receive on-the-job training, and many important public interest organizations, government agencies, and major law firms look favorably on clerkship experience when making hiring decisions.
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Law clerk career prospects
A law clerk, sometimes called a judicial clerk or judicial law clerk, is a legal professional who helps a judge or lawyer make legal decisions. A law clerk's duties depend on whether they are a trial law clerk working in courts, an appellate law clerk working on civil and criminal appeals cases, or a law clerk working at a legal firm.
Law clerks are usually recent law school graduates. However, some state and district legal departments and law firms will hire promising students who have completed at least one year of their Juris Doctor degree. Law clerks typically hold a Juris Doctor degree and a master's degree in law. Public policy and international law are common areas of study for law clerks.
Clerking is a great way to build a network of professional contacts, including judges, practicing attorneys, and other clerks. Many important public interest organizations, government agencies, and major law firms look favorably on clerkship experience when making hiring decisions.
In terms of career prospects, a stint as a law clerk provides learning opportunities, gives you a feel for the job, and builds the foundation for your career. Often, you work as a law clerk for between one and two years before moving higher up the ladder of the American legal system. Clerking in certain courts may also serve as preparation for working in a particular legal field. For example, certain federal district courts are frequent venues for specific types of cases that can provide clerks with specialized experience in those fields.
Additionally, there are permanent roles for those who want to continue working as law clerks. These positions are typically reserved for only a few of the different clerks employed by a judge.
In terms of specific career paths after a clerkship, many notable judges and professors began their careers as law clerks. For example, Flor Martinez-Ijaiya, an Evening Program Graduate from CUNY School of Law, went on to become a Judicial Law Clerk to the Hon. Marybeth Rogers, a New Jersey Superior Court Judge.
Some law clerk positions can also lead to roles as associate attorneys. These roles often require at least two years of work experience as a paralegal or law clerk, including judicial clerkships and summer associate positions.
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Law clerk salary
The salary of a law clerk in the United States varies depending on several factors, including education, skills, certifications, and years of experience. The national average salary for a law clerk is $57,082 per year, with an hourly rate of $23.06. However, salaries can range from a low of $36,108 to a high of $286,788 per year for experienced law clerks. Entry-level law clerks can expect a salary between $30,657 and $141,269 per year.
The median salary for a Judicial Law Clerk is $96,709, while Law Clerk Interns earn a median of $48,462. Bigger companies typically pay higher salaries, with Fenwick & West LLP, DLA Piper, and Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart P.C. being the top three highest-paying companies for law clerks in the United States.
Law clerks in the United States can expect additional pay of around $4,344 per year, which can include cash bonuses, commission, tips, and profit-sharing.
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Frequently asked questions
A law clerk is someone who works with judges, lawyers, and litigants, performing legal research and writing, and helping to draft opinions and orders.
To become a law clerk in New Jersey, you must have graduated from law school within the past four years and not have engaged in the practice of law. You don't need to be a U.S. citizen or take the New Jersey bar exam, but you must be authorized to work under immigration law.
Being a law clerk offers hands-on experience and in-depth knowledge of the legal process. It also provides an opportunity to build a professional network of contacts, including judges and attorneys, which can be valuable for future career prospects.
Law clerks in New Jersey are responsible for conducting legal research, reviewing case documents, drafting orders and opinions, interacting with attorneys and litigants, and attending court events. They may also assist with remote proceedings and perform administrative tasks.
While law clerks in New Jersey work closely with legal professionals and gain valuable experience, they are not necessarily authorized to practice law themselves. The clerkship program is designed for individuals who have not yet engaged in the practice of law.
