Job Title: Law Clerk 2025 - 2026
Job Responsibilities:
Law clerks in the **MEMBERS ONLY**SIGN UP NOW***. play a crucial role in the legal system, working closely with judges and justices to support the judicial process. The responsibilities of law clerks vary depending on the court they serve, but generally include:
- Conducting legal research and analysis to support judges in their decision-making processes.
- Preparing legal memoranda and summarizing complex legal issues.
- Proofreading and editing judicial opinions and other legal documents.
- Observing judicial proceedings and attending conferences with attorneys and judges.
- Managing case files and assisting with case management functions.
- Assisting in drafting jury instructions, legal opinions, and legal orders.
- Communicating with attorneys, litigants, and court staff.
- Mediating small claims cases (for trial court law clerks).
- Assisting with emergent motion applications and remote proceedings.
- Performing duties similar to those assigned to law clerks in the Appellate Division and trial courts for Tax Court law clerks, without mediating cases.
Education and Experience Information:
To qualify for a law clerk position in the **MEMBERS ONLY**SIGN UP NOW***., candidates must meet the following educational and experience requirements:
- Graduation from a law school approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) by the time of appointment.
- The clerkship program is intended for recent law school graduates, defined as those who have graduated within the last four years.
- Excellent writing and analytical skills are essential for the role.
- Completion of a course in mediation is helpful, though not mandatory.
- Selected candidates will be required to provide an official, final law school transcript, not a photocopy, which includes the date of graduation.
- Law clerks are encouraged to have solid written and verbal communication skills, as well as strong analytic capabilities.
Salary Information:
The salaries for law clerks in the **MEMBERS ONLY**SIGN UP NOW***. 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:
- Law clerks may be eligible to serve an additional one-year clerkship in the Appellate Division or Supreme Court if they have served or are currently serving in a trial court or Tax Court clerkship.
- The position may qualify for a hybrid work schedule, allowing up to four days per month of remote work outside Judiciary buildings.
- Law clerks must be authorized to work in the United States according to Department of Homeland Security and US Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations.
- Law clerks are not subject to the New Jersey residency law during their court term but must establish residency if moving into another state position immediately following their clerkship.
- Approximately 480 clerkships are available annually, with most openings in the Superior Court Law Division in civil and criminal court, and Superior Court Chancery Division in family court.
- Applicants from historically underrepresented groups, women, individuals with disabilities, and other protected class members are encouraged to apply.
- Law clerks may hold outside employment with prior approval in accordance with the Code of Conduct for Judiciary Employees.
- A thorough background check, including fingerprinting, is required for selected candidates.
Application Process:
- Applications for the 2025-2026 clerkships will open on June 10, 2024, through the Judiciary's web-based portal.
- Applicants will be contacted directly by the justices or judges for interviews starting June 17, 2024.
- Applications must include all relevant work experience and education details, and required documents must be attached as instructed.
- Applicants must follow the application instructions fully; incomplete applications will not be considered.
Employer Information:
- The **MEMBERS ONLY**SIGN UP NOW***. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer committed to ensuring an open door to justice.
- The organization consists of the Supreme Court, the Superior Court including the Appellate Division and the Trial Court of the 15 vicinages in New Jersey, the Tax Court, and the Municipal Court System.
- The Administrative Office of the Courts provides technical assistance, operational support, training, research and development, budget and personnel coordination, and development and operation of information systems for the courts of New Jersey.
