Judicial Clerkship - Government in New Brunswick, NJ

Government

New Brunswick, NJ

Judicial Clerkship - Government in New Brunswick, NJ

Judicial Clerkship

No

Job Title: Law Clerk 2026-2027

Job Responsibilities:
Law clerks in the **Members Only** are entrusted with a range of responsibilities that provide them with valuable insights into the judicial process. Key duties include:

- Observing Judicial Proceedings: Law clerks attend various court proceedings, allowing them to gain firsthand experience of the judicial process.
- Research and Analysis: Clerks conduct extensive legal research and analyze legal data to assist judges in making informed decisions.
- Preparing Legal Memoranda: They are responsible for preparing detailed legal memoranda on complex cases, which involve intricate issues of law.
- Mediating Small Claims: Trial court law clerks receive training in mediation and are tasked with mediating small claims cases.
- Summarizing Information: Clerks summarize information for judges, aiding in case management and decision-making.
- Court Administration: Law clerks for assignment judges also learn all aspects of court administration and assist with processing emergent motions.
- Proofreading: Appellate Division law clerks proofread published opinions to ensure accuracy and clarity.
- Processing Emergent Motion Applications: They handle emergent motion applications, ensuring that urgent legal matters are addressed promptly.

Education and Experience Information:
To qualify for a law clerk position, candidates must meet the following educational and experience requirements:

- Law School Graduation: Candidates must have graduated from a law school approved by the American Bar Association by the time of their law clerk appointment.
- Recent Graduate Requirement: The Judiciary's law clerkship program is intended for recent law school graduates, defined as those who have graduated within the last four years.
- Transcript Submission: Selected candidates are required to provide an official, final law school transcript, not a photocopy, which includes the date of graduation at the time of hire.
- Writing and Analytical Skills: Excellent writing and analytical skills are essential for this role.
- Mediation Course: It is beneficial for candidates to have completed a course in mediation prior to the start of the clerkship. All trial court law clerks who will serve as mediators must complete the Judiciary-sponsored 12-hour mediation training or its equivalent.

Salary Information:
Salaries for law clerks are based on a 52-week court term with an additional two-week overlap, paid at a separate weekly rate. The salaries for the 2026-2027 Court Term are yet to be determined based on funding availability. For the 2025-2026 Court Term, the following salaries are noted:

- Superior Court Assignment Judge: $66,508
- Superior Court Chancery Division (General Equity): $66,508
- Superior Court Law Division (Civil, Criminal and Family): $61,256

Additional Information:
- Outside Employment: Law clerks may hold outside employment with prior approval as provided in the Code of Conduct for Judiciary Employees.
- Driver's License: A valid driver's license in New Jersey is required only if the operation of a vehicle is necessary to perform essential duties.
- Authorization to Work: US citizenship is not required, but candidates must be authorized to work in the US as per Department of Homeland Security regulations.
- Background Check: Selected candidates must agree to a thorough background check, including fingerprinting.
- Residency Law: Law clerks are not subject to the New Jersey residency law during their court term. However, clerks moving into another state position immediately following their clerkship must comply with residency requirements.
- Equal Opportunity Employer: The **Members Only** is committed to being an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, encouraging applications from individuals from historically underrepresented groups, women, individuals with disabilities, and other protected class members.

The **Members Only** offers approximately 480 clerkships across various courts, including the Supreme Court, Superior Court Appellate Division, Superior Court Assignment Judges, Superior Court Chancery Division in general equity court, and the Tax Court. Applicants interested in these positions are advised to apply early in the hiring process.