Judicial Clerkship - Government in Hackensack, NJ

Government

Hackensack, NJ

Judicial Clerkship - Government in Hackensack, NJ

Judicial Clerkship

No

**Job Title: Law Clerk (2025 - 2026)**

**Job Responsibilities:**
Law clerks in the **Members Only** system are tasked with a range of responsibilities depending on the court division they are assigned to. These responsibilities include:

- **Supreme Court Law Clerks:** Work with justices on complex cases involving difficult legal issues. They conduct legal research, prepare written memoranda on novel issues of law, and assist justices in opinion preparation.

- **Appellate Division Law Clerks:** Conduct research, analyze legal data, prepare legal memoranda, process emergent motion applications, and proofread published opinions. They also prepare weekly memos, edit opinions, handle emergent applications, and assist with additional research projects.

- **Trial Court Law Clerks:** Gain practical experience by observing judicial proceedings, attending conferences, receiving mediation training, and mediating small claims cases. They summarize information for judges and assist with case management.

- **Tax Court Law Clerks:** Perform duties similar to those assigned to Appellate Division and trial courts, such as reviewing and processing motions, conducting legal research, drafting case management orders, managing the motion calendar, and assisting with remote proceedings.

- **Assignment Judge Law Clerks:** Learn court administration, assist with emergent motions, conduct research, prepare legal memos, manage the judge’s docket, and communicate with counsel and court staff.

- **Family Division Law Clerks:** Conduct legal research, assist with remote proceedings, communicate with litigants, draft legal opinions and orders, and handle emergent applications.

- **Civil Division Law Clerks:** Prepare bench memoranda, conduct legal research, draft legal orders, manage motion calendars, and communicate with attorneys and court staff. They gain insights into a wide range of legal issues.

- **Criminal Division Law Clerks:** Conduct legal research, assist in drafting jury instructions and legal opinions, manage motion calendars, perform case management functions, and communicate with attorneys and internal staff.

- **Chancery Division (General Equity) Law Clerks:** Conduct legal research, review case files, draft orders, proofread opinions, interact with counsel, and attend hearings or trials.

**Education and Experience Information:**
- Applicants must have graduated from a law school approved by the American Bar Association (ABA) by the time of their law clerk appointment.
- The program is intended for recent law school graduates, defined as those graduating within the last four years.
- Excellent writing and analytical skills are essential.
- Mediation skills are a plus, and completing a course in mediation prior to the clerkship is helpful.

**Salary Information:**
Salaries for the 2024-2025 Court Term are provided, with the following structure based on the court division:
- 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
- Salaries for the 2025-2026 Court Term are to be determined based on funding availability.

**Additional Information:**
- Law clerks may hold outside employment with prior approval in accordance with the Code of Conduct for Judiciary Employees.
- A valid New Jersey driver's license is required if operating a vehicle is necessary for the job.
- . citizenship is not required, but candidates must be authorized to work in the .
- Selected candidates must agree to a thorough background check, including fingerprinting.
- Law clerks are not subject to the New Jersey residency law during their court term, but those moving into state positions after the term must comply.
- Approximately 480 clerkships are available annually, with most openings in the Superior Court Law Division.
- The Judiciary offers a hybrid work schedule with up to four remote workdays per month.
- The **Members Only** is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.