Job Title: Law Clerk (2025 - 2026)
Job Responsibilities:
- Supreme Court law clerks assist justices on complex cases, perform legal research, prepare written memoranda, and assist in the preparation of opinions.
- Appellate Division law clerks conduct research, analyze legal data, prepare legal memoranda, process emergent motion applications, and proofread published opinions.
- Trial court law clerks observe judicial proceedings, attend conferences with attorneys and judges, and receive training in mediation and mediate small claims cases.
- Tax Court law clerks perform duties similar to those in the Appellate Division and trial courts but do not mediate cases.
- Law clerks for assignment judges learn all aspects of court administration and assist with processing emergent motions.
- Family Division law clerks handle legal research, assist with remote proceedings, draft legal opinions and orders, and manage adjournment requests.
- Civil Division law clerks prepare bench memoranda, perform legal research, draft legal orders, and manage the motion calendar.
- Criminal Division law clerks conduct legal research, assist in drafting jury instructions and legal opinions, manage the motion calendar, and perform case management functions.
- General Equity (Chancery) law clerks conduct legal research, prepare bench memoranda, draft orders, 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 those graduating within the last four years.
- Excellent writing and analytical skills are essential.
- Completion of a course in mediation is helpful but not required. All trial court law clerks serving as mediators must complete a 12-hour mediation training or its equivalent.
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:
- The positions offer a hybrid work schedule, with up to four days per month of remote work.
- Law clerks may hold outside employment with prior approval.
- A valid New Jersey driver's license is required only if the operation of a vehicle is necessary for the job.
- US citizenship is not required, but candidates must be authorized to work in the US.
- A thorough background check, including fingerprinting, is required for selected individuals.
- Law clerks are not subject to New Jersey's residency law during their court term. However, those moving into another state position immediately following their clerkship must be New Jersey residents.
- Approximately 480 clerkships are available, with limited positions in the Supreme Court and other divisions.
- The **Members Only** is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
Application Process:
- Applications will be accepted starting June 10, 2024, through the Judiciary's web-based portal.
- Applicants will be contacted directly by justices or judges for interviews beginning June 17, 2024.
- Candidates are encouraged to apply early for positions in the Supreme Court and other limited availability divisions.
- All applicants must complete the application process fully, including work experience and education sections, and attach any required documents.
