Job Title: Law Clerk 2025 - 2026
Job Responsibilities:
- Law clerks will work closely with justices and judges on complex legal cases, gaining hands-on experience in a nationally recognized court system.
- Supreme Court law clerks perform legal research, prepare written memoranda on novel issues, and assist in the preparation of opinions.
- Appellate Division law clerks conduct research, analyze legal data, prepare memoranda, process emergent motion applications, and proofread opinions.
- Trial court law clerks observe judicial proceedings, attend conferences, receive mediation training, mediate small claims cases, and summarize information for judges.
- Tax Court law clerks perform duties similar to those in the Appellate Division and trial courts but do not mediate cases.
- Assignment Judge law clerks learn all aspects of court administration and assist with processing emergent motions.
- Family Division clerks conduct legal research, assist with remote proceedings, communicate with litigants and attorneys, draft opinions and orders, and handle emergent applications.
- Civil Division clerks prepare bench memoranda, perform legal research, draft orders and legal correspondence, manage the motion calendar, and assist with case management functions.
- Criminal Division clerks conduct legal research, assist in drafting jury instructions and opinions, manage the motion calendar, and perform case management functions.
- General Equity (Chancery) clerks conduct legal research, review case files, prepare bench memoranda, draft orders, and interact with counsel and litigants.
Education and Experience Information:
- Applicants must have graduated from a law school approved by the American Bar Association by the time of their appointment.
- The law clerkship program is intended for recent law school graduates, defined as graduating within the last four years.
- Excellent writing and analytical skills are essential.
- Completion of a mediation course is beneficial. Trial court clerks serving as mediators must complete the Judiciary-sponsored 12-hour mediation training or provide documentation of equivalent training.
Salary Information:
- Supreme Court: $76,400
- Supreme Court Appellate Division: $69,750
- Superior Court Assignment Judge and Chancery Division (General Equity): $63,950
- Superior Court Law Division (Civil and Criminal) and Chancery Division (Family), Tax Court: $58,900
Additional Information:
- The Judiciary offers a hybrid work schedule, allowing up to four remote workdays per month.
- Applicants must be authorized to work in the US and may need a valid New Jersey driver’s license if driving is necessary for the position.
- Law clerks may hold outside employment with prior approval as per the Code of Conduct for Judiciary Employees.
- A thorough background check, including fingerprinting, is required for selected candidates.
- The "New Jersey First Act" requires new hires to establish and maintain residence in New Jersey within one year, with exemptions possible for clerkship positions.
- Approximately 480 clerkships are available annually, with most openings in the Superior Court Law Division and Chancery Division.
- The **Members Only** is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, encouraging applications from historically underrepresented groups, women, individuals with disabilities, and other protected classes.
Application Process:
- Applications for the 2025-2026 court term open on June 10, 2024.
- Candidates apply through the Judiciary's web-based portal and will be contacted directly by judges for interviews starting June 17, 2024.
- Applicants must complete the application process fully, including work experience and education sections, and attach required documents.
- Law school career services staff or professional recommenders can upload letters of recommendation through the portal.
The **Members Only** offers a comprehensive clerkship program for law school graduates, providing a unique opportunity to gain practical legal experience and insight into the judicial process. The program is structured to enhance career prospects through hands-on work with judges and court staff across various divisions.
