Job Title: Law Clerk 2025 - 2026
Job Responsibilities:
- Supreme Court law clerks work with justices on complex cases, performing legal research, preparing written memoranda on novel issues of law, and assisting in the preparation of opinions.
- Appellate Division clerks conduct research, analyze legal data, prepare legal memoranda, process emergent motion applications, and proofread published opinions.
- Trial court clerks gain practical experience by observing judicial proceedings, attending conferences with attorneys and judges, receiving mediation training, mediating small claims cases, and summarizing information for judges.
- Tax Court clerks perform duties similar to those in the Appellate Division and trial courts but do not mediate cases.
- Clerks for assignment judges learn court administration and assist with processing emergent motions.
- Family Division clerks gain experience on a wide range of legal issues, conduct legal research, assist with remote proceedings, communicate with litigants and attorneys, assist in drafting opinions and orders, and handle emergent applications.
- Civil Division clerks prepare bench memoranda for motions, perform legal research, draft legal orders, manage the motion calendar, and assist with case management functions.
- Criminal Division clerks conduct legal research, assist in drafting jury instructions and legal opinions, draft legal orders, manage the motion calendar, perform case management functions, and assist with remote proceedings.
- General Equity law clerks conduct legal research, review case files, prepare bench memoranda, draft orders, proofread orders and opinions, and assist in processing emergent temporary restraining order applications.
Education and Experience Information:
- Law clerks must have graduated from a law school approved by the American Bar Association by the time of their appointment.
- The program is intended for recent law school graduates, defined as graduating within the past four years.
- Excellent writing and analytical skills are essential.
- Mediation skills are a plus, and completion of a mediation course prior to the start of the clerkship is helpful.
- Selected candidates must provide an official, final law school transcript at the time of hire.
Salary Information:
- Supreme Court: $76,400
- Supreme Court Appellate Division: $69,750
- Superior Court Assignment Judge: $63,950
- Superior Court Chancery Division (General Equity): $63,950
- Superior Court Law Division (Civil and Criminal): $58,900
- Superior Court Chancery Division (Family): $58,900
- Tax Court: $58,900
Additional Information:
- Remote Work: Up to four days per month of remote work may be available.
- Driver's License: Required if necessary for the position's duties.
- Authorization to Work: US citizenship is not required, but candidates must be authorized to work in the US.
- Residency Law: Newly hired individuals must establish and maintain residence in New Jersey within one year, with exemptions available.
- Background Check: A thorough background check, including fingerprinting, is required for selected candidates.
- Approximately 480 clerkships are available annually, with positions in various courts and divisions.
Application Process:
- Applications open on June 10, 2024, and can be submitted through the Judiciary's web-based portal.
- Applicants must complete the work experience and education sections in detail and attach required documents.
- Applications must be fully completed to be considered for hire.
- Law clerks may hold outside employment with prior approval as per the Code of Conduct for Judiciary Employees.
