Law Clerk Careers: How Long Do They Last?

The duration of a law clerk role varies depending on the jurisdiction and the type of role. In Canada, for example, judicial clerkships typically last for a year. In the US, law clerks usually serve judges for one or two years, although there are also permanent roles. Temporary appointments are limited to a total of four years. In the Lahore High Court, civil judges are appointed as research associates equivalent to law clerks, and in the Supreme Court of the Philippines and the Philippine Court of Appeals, recent law graduates and young lawyers can apply for a position as a Court Attorney to a Justice, which is equivalent to a law clerk in the US Supreme Court.

Explore related products

Law Clerk Handbook: A Handbook for Law Clerks to Federal Judges, Revised Third Edition

$24.95

Legal Writing (Examples & Explanations)

$28 $71.95

The Black Academic's Guide Tenure-Without Losing Your Soul

$23.04 $25

Tenure hacks: The 12 secrets of making tenure

$28 $7.95

Slight Hints on a few Duties of the Subordinate Ministerial Officers of a County, and the Clerk of the Justice: A Short Comment on the Making of ... & Tenures, ... By one of the Profession

$22.95

First Aid for the Psychiatry Clerkship, Sixth Edition

$59.26 $54.9

Law clerk qualifications

The qualifications required to become a law clerk vary depending on the state and the specific requirements of the judge or law firm. However, there are some general qualifications and skills that are commonly sought after for law clerk positions.

Education

Many law clerks hold a Juris Doctor (JD) degree, which is typically obtained after completing law school. Some law clerks may also have a master's degree in law, with public policy and international law being common areas of study. In some cases, individuals may become law clerks while still enrolled in law school or after completing at least one year of their Juris Doctor degree. Additionally, some states allow individuals to sit for the bar exam without a law degree, but this may require working as an apprentice in a law firm for several years.

Experience

Law clerks often have some level of experience in the legal field, whether through internships, part-time or summer jobs, or other legal work. This experience can provide valuable insights and practical knowledge that complement their academic education. Some law clerk positions may require a certain number of years of experience, especially for more advanced or specialized roles.

Skills

Strong research and writing skills are highly valued in law clerks. They need to be able to locate and analyze information from various legal documents and then use that information to draft legal decisions, memoranda, and other documents. Law clerks should also have good communication skills to interact effectively with attorneys, judges, colleagues, and clients. Emotional intelligence is another important skill, as it enables law clerks to understand their colleagues' needs and adapt quickly in a fast-paced legal environment.

Certifications and Licenses

In most states, law clerks who work for judges need to have their law license in addition to their law degree. Some positions may also require bar membership or specific certifications, such as completion of all law school requirements.

On-the-Job Training

Most law clerks receive on-the-job training when they join a law firm or court. This training covers basic processes, systems, software, and computer systems specific to the organization.

Explore related products

First Aid for the Medicine Clerkship, Fourth Edition

$61 $61.2

First Aid for the Pediatrics Clerkship, Fifth Edition

$39.64 $50

First Aid for the Neurology Clerkship

$38.87 $50

First Aid for the USMLE Step 2 CK, Eleventh Edition

$54.46 $72

Dr. Pestana's Surgery Notes, Seventh Edition: Pocket-Sized Review for the Surgical Clerkship and Shelf Exams (USMLE Prep)

$30.18 $38.99

Surgery H&P Notebook with 4 Day SOAP - Medical History and Physical Notebook, 50 Medical templates with Perforations

$20.99

Clerkship duration

For federal judicial law clerks, term appointments are the most common, with a total limit of four years. However, these appointments are typically for one or two years, and some judges appoint term law clerks for 18 months.

In terms of qualifications, most law clerks hold a Juris Doctor degree and a master's degree in law, with areas of study including public policy and international law. Some judges may also require additional qualifications, such as experience in the legal field or specific certifications.

While clerkship is not a required part of becoming a lawyer, it is considered a desirable and prestigious position, especially for those aspiring to work in a federal court for a federal judge. It offers a unique opportunity to work closely with judges, contribute to judicial decision-making, and gain firsthand insights into the legal system.

Explore related products

First Aid for the OB/GYN Clerkship, Fifth Edition

$55 $54.9

First Aid for the Surgery Clerkship, Third Edition (First Aid Series)

$43.37 $54.9

Case Files Surgery, Sixth Edition

$34.56 $43

Thriving in Surgery: A Medical Student's Guide to Excelling in Clerkships and Electives

$14.99

Judicial Clerkships: A Practical Guide

$36.08 $41

First Aid for the Psychiatry Clerkship, Fifth Edition

$36 $45

Law clerk salaries

The length of time an individual can be a law clerk depends on the type of law clerk position and the state in which they are employed. Most law clerk positions are term appointments, typically lasting one to two years, and some judges appoint term law clerks for eighteen months. However, there are also permanent law clerk roles for those who wish to continue in this capacity.

Now, onto the topic of law clerk salaries. The average salary for a law clerk in the United States is around $23 per hour, which equates to an annual wage of approximately $72,337. The hourly rate can vary, with the top 10% of law clerks earning $49.09 per hour and the bottom 10% earning $17.56 per hour.

Salary rates for law clerks can be influenced by several factors, including experience, qualifications, and the employing court or firm. Law clerks with prior federal experience may be eligible to match their highest previous rate of federal pay within the grade or classification level for which they qualify. Additionally, law clerks with "unusually high or unique qualifications" may be appointed at a higher step within the classification level.

The salary for law clerks may also depend on the specific type of law clerk position and the requirements set by the judge or employing court. For example, judicial law clerks, who typically have a Juris Doctor degree and a master's degree in law, may have different salary ranges from those in other law clerk roles.

In some cases, the salary for a law clerk position can be influenced by the cost of living (COL) adjustments, with clerks in high COL areas potentially earning higher salaries. Additionally, some law clerks may have the opportunity to earn bonuses or have their salaries matched to the rates of the attorneys or judges they work with.

Overall, while the average salary for law clerks in the United States is around $23 per hour, there can be significant variations based on experience, qualifications, the specific role, and the geographic location.

Explore related products

Family Medicine Clerkship Guide (Clerkship Guides)

$56.95

Cardiac Surgery Clerkship: A Guide for Senior Medical Students (Contemporary Surgical Clerkships)

$99.99 $89

Internal Medicine Clerkship Guide, 3e (Clerkship Guides)

$59.95

Law clerk duties

The duties of a law clerk vary depending on the judge they work under, the court, the law firm, or the company they work for. Law clerks are legal professionals who support attorneys, judges, or legal departments. They are often seen as the judge's right hand, and the judge acts as their mentor. Law clerks are expected to work cooperatively with chambers staff and court personnel. They are also bound by the ethical standards established by the judge and the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees.

Law clerks are responsible for helping judges and attorneys with different cases. They conduct legal research, analyze cases, and prepare legal documents. They also assist judges in managing court proceedings, maintaining records, and handling legal documents. Law clerks help break down more complex legal cases with their legal knowledge and practical experience to help guide efficient and well-researched representation for the firm's clientele. They are heavily involved in case strategy and documentation management and might even assist with client communication.

Some of the common duties of a law clerk include:

• Researching laws and legal precedents from past cases to guide a judge or lawyer's decisions about current cases.
• Advising the judge and other legal team members of case facts before oral arguments.
• Managing evidence, taking statements from witnesses, and providing additional assistance to judges during courtroom proceedings.
• Drafting legal documents, including records of legal proceedings and trial briefs.
• Maintaining the chamber's library if working in a courtroom setting.

Most law clerks receive on-the-job training, and many law schools hire law students in the summer or during the year as clerks. 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.

Law clerk career progression

A law clerk, sometimes called a judicial clerk or a judicial law clerk, is a legal professional who helps a judge or lawyer make legal decisions. A law clerk typically holds a Juris Doctor degree and a master's degree in law. Public policy and international law are common areas of study for law clerks.

Law clerks are usually recent law school graduates. However, some law firms and state and district legal departments may hire promising students who have completed at least one year of their Juris Doctor degree. Most private law firms take on academic law clerks starting in their second year of law school. After their first year, students may be able to get a highly paid summer associate position, depending on their grades and law school. Most students after the first year can get unpaid internships with state judges or appellate courts or low-paying positions elsewhere.

Clerking is often a stepping stone to a more permanent job in the legal profession. Most federal judges require clerks to have studied law review, and many notable judges and professors began their careers as law clerks. Clerkships for most state and federal judges run for one or two years, and clerks typically serve a single judge for a maximum of two years before moving on to a more typical legal career track. However, some judges also hire permanent clerks, although these positions are typically reserved for only a few of the different clerks they employ.

In terms of salary, law clerks earn an average wage of $23.87 per hour or $72,337 annually. The top 10% of this group earn $49.09 an hour, while the lowest 10% earn $17.56. Incoming law clerks with prior federal experience may be eligible to match their highest previous rate of federal pay within the grade for which they qualify. Additionally, if a law clerk has three years of postgraduate legal work experience (with at least two years as a judicial law clerk) plus bar membership, they qualify for appointment at a higher grade, which comes with a higher salary.

Frequently asked questions