Judicial Clerkship - Government in Newark, NJ

Government

Newark, NJ

Judicial Clerkship - Government in Newark, NJ

Judicial Clerkship

No

Job Title: Law Clerk 2025 - 2026

Job Responsibilities:
Law clerks in the **Members Only** play a pivotal role in the judicial process by supporting justices and judges across various courts, including the Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Superior Court, and Tax Court. Their responsibilities vary depending on the court they are assigned to and include:

- Supreme Court Law Clerks: Work closely with justices on complex legal cases, conducting legal research, preparing written memoranda on novel legal issues, and assisting in opinion preparation.
- Appellate Division Law Clerks: Conduct research, analyze legal data, prepare legal memoranda, process emergent motion applications, and proofread published opinions. They are required to be skilled in writing, editing, and knowledgeable about Bluebook rules.
- Trial Court Law Clerks: Gain practical experience by observing judicial proceedings, attending conferences with attorneys and judges, receiving training in mediation, mediating small claims cases, and summarizing information for judges. They assist in all aspects of court administration and processing emergent motions.
- Tax Court Law Clerks: Perform duties similar to Appellate Division and trial court clerks, focusing on judicial tax challenges. Responsibilities include reviewing motions, conducting legal research, drafting case management orders, managing motion calendars, and communicating with attorneys and litigants.
- Family Division Law Clerks: Handle complex cases involving family matters, conducting legal research, assisting with remote proceedings, communicating with litigants, drafting legal opinions and orders, and managing emergent applications.
- Civil Division Law Clerks: Prepare bench memoranda, perform legal research, draft legal orders, manage motion calendars, and communicate with attorneys and litigants. They gain exposure to a wide range of legal issues and advocacy methods.
- Criminal Division Law Clerks: Conduct legal research, assist in drafting jury instructions and legal opinions, manage motion calendars, perform case management functions, and assist with remote proceedings.
- General Equity Law Clerks: Conduct legal research, review case files, draft orders, proofread opinions, interact with counsel and litigants, and assist in processing emergent temporary restraining order applications.

Education and Experience Information:
To qualify for a law clerk position in the **Members Only**, candidates must meet the following criteria:

- Graduation from a law school approved by the American Bar Association by the time of appointment.
- The 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 course in mediation is advantageous, and trial court law clerks serving as mediators must complete Judiciary-sponsored mediation training or an equivalent.
- Authorization to work in the US according to Department of Homeland Security regulations is required.
- A valid driver's license in New Jersey is necessary only if vehicle operation is required for the position.

Salary Information:
Salaries for the 2024-2025 court term are as follows, with adjustments for the 2025-2026 term 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:
- Approximately 480 clerkships are available, with a limited number for the Supreme Court, Superior Court Appellate Division, Superior Court Assignment Judges, Superior Court Chancery Division, and Tax Court.
- Remote work is offered, with up to four days per month of remote work outside of Judiciary buildings, subject to certain conditions.
- 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.
- Law clerks are not subject to the New Jersey residency law during their court term, but those moving to another state position immediately following their clerkship must comply with the residency requirement.

The **Members Only** is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer committed to ensuring an open door to justice. Individuals from historically underrepresented groups, women, individuals with disabilities, and other protected class members are encouraged to apply.