Judicial Clerkship - Government in Elizabeth, NJ

Government

Elizabeth, NJ

Judicial Clerkship - Government in Elizabeth, NJ

Judicial Clerkship

No

**Job Title:**

Law Clerk 2025 - 2026

**Job Responsibilities:**

As a Law Clerk within the **MEMBERS ONLY**SIGN UP NOW***., you will engage in a variety of tasks across different court divisions, gaining valuable hands-on experience and insight into the judicial process. The primary responsibilities include:

- **Supreme Court Law Clerks:** Work closely with justices on complex legal cases, performing legal research, preparing written memoranda on novel legal issues, and assisting in the preparation of judicial opinions.

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

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

- **Tax Court Law Clerks:** Undertake duties similar to those in the Appellate Division and trial courts, focusing on judicial tax challenges, conducting legal research, drafting case management orders, and managing the motion calendar.

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

- **Family Division Law Clerks:** Handle complex cases involving disputes over children, youth, spouses, and domestic partners. Responsibilities include conducting legal research, managing adjournment requests, handling emergent applications, and assisting in drafting legal opinions and orders.

- **Civil Division Law Clerks:** Prepare bench memoranda for civil motions, perform legal research, draft legal orders, manage the motion calendar, and assist with drafting legal opinions and case management functions.

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

- **General Equity (Chancery) Law Clerks:** Conduct legal research, review case files, draft orders, interact with counsel and litigants, attend hearings, and assist in processing emergent temporary restraining order applications.

**Education and Experience Information:**

Applicants must have graduated from a law school approved by the American Bar Association 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. A course in mediation is beneficial, and selected candidates will be required to provide an official, final law school transcript at the time of hire.

**Salary Information:**

Salaries are based on a 52-week court term with additional overlap weeks paid at a separate rate. For the 2024-2025 Court Term, the salaries are:

- 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 will be determined based on funding availability.

**Additional Information:**

- **Remote Work:** The Judiciary offers a hybrid work schedule allowing up to four days per month of remote work, requiring high-speed internet access and a multifactor authentication app.

- **Application Process:** Applications open on June 10, 2024, through the Judiciary's web-based portal. Applicants must complete all sections of the application process, including work experience and education.

- **Background Check:** Selected individuals must agree to a thorough background check, including fingerprinting.

- **Residency Law:** New hires must establish principal residence in New Jersey within one year, although law clerks are exempt from this requirement during their court term.

- **Diversity Encouragement:** Individuals from historically underrepresented groups, women, individuals with disabilities, and other protected class members are encouraged to apply.

- **Judiciary Structure:** The **MEMBERS ONLY**SIGN UP NOW***. includes the Supreme Court, Superior Court, Appellate Division, Trial Court, Tax Court, and Municipal Court System.

The **MEMBERS ONLY**SIGN UP NOW***. is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and maintaining an open door to justice.