Judicial Clerkship - Government in Freehold, NJ

Government

Freehold, NJ

Judicial Clerkship - Government in Freehold, NJ

Judicial Clerkship

No

Job Title: Law Clerk 2025 - 2026

Job Responsibilities:
As a law clerk with the New Jersey Courts, you will have the opportunity to engage in a variety of responsibilities depending on the division you are assigned to. Here is a summary of the key duties across different court divisions:

1. Supreme Court:
- Work with justices on complex cases involving difficult issues of law.
- Perform legal research and prepare written memoranda on novel legal issues.
- Assist justices in the preparation of opinions.

2. Appellate Division:
- Conduct research, analyze legal data, and prepare legal memoranda.
- Process emergent motion applications and proofread published opinions.
- Edit opinions authored by judges and handle emergent applications.

3. Superior Court (Assignment Judges, Chancery, Law, and Family Divisions):
- Gain practical experience in court administration and assist with emergent motions.
- Observe judicial proceedings, attend conferences, and mediate small claims.
- Conduct legal research and draft legal opinions and orders.

4. Tax Court:
- Similar duties to those assigned in the Appellate Division and trial courts.
- Review and process motions, conduct legal research, and draft legal documents.
- Manage the motion calendar and assist in remote proceedings.

5. Civil Division:
- Prepare bench memoranda for civil motions and trials.
- Conduct legal research and draft legal orders and opinions.
- Manage motion calendars and communicate with attorneys and litigants.

6. Criminal Division:
- Conduct legal research for judges’ opinions and motions.
- Assist in drafting jury instructions, legal orders, and sentencing memoranda.
- Manage motion calendars and assist with remote proceedings.

7. General Equity (Chancery) Division:
- Conduct legal research and prepare bench memoranda.
- Draft orders and interact with counsel and self-represented litigants.
- 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 clerkship program is intended for recent law school graduates, defined as those who have graduated within the last four years. Applicants should possess excellent writing and analytical skills. It is beneficial to have completed a course in mediation prior to the start of the clerkship.

Salary Information:
The salaries for the 2024-2025 Court Term are as follows, with salaries for the 2025-2026 Court Term to be determined based on funding availability:
- 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:
- The clerkship includes a court term from August 18, 2025, through August 28, 2026, with one or two-week overlap periods.
- Approximately 480 clerkships are available, with positions in the Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Superior Court, and Tax Court.
- The Judiciary offers a hybrid work schedule, allowing for up to four days per month of remote work.
- Law clerks may hold outside employment with prior approval as per the Code of Conduct for Judiciary Employees.
- A valid driver's license is required if necessary for performing essential duties.
- . citizenship is not required, but authorization to work in the . is necessary.
- A thorough background check, including fingerprinting, is required for selected candidates.
- Law clerks are exempt from the New Jersey residency requirement during their court term.