### Job Title
Law Clerk 2025 - 2026
### Job Responsibilities
Law clerks in the **Members Only** have varied responsibilities depending on the division of the court to which they are assigned. The overarching duties include:
- **Supreme Court Law Clerks**: Work closely with justices on complex legal cases, performing legal research, preparing memoranda on novel legal issues, and assisting in drafting opinions.
- **Appellate Division Law Clerks**: Conduct research, analyze legal data, prepare legal memoranda, manage emergent motion applications, and proofread published opinions.
- **Trial Court Law Clerks**: Gain practical experience by observing judicial proceedings, attending conferences, receiving training in mediation, mediating small claims cases, and summarizing information for judges.
- **Tax Court Law Clerks**: Perform duties similar to those in the Appellate Division and trial courts but do not mediate cases. Responsibilities include reviewing and processing motions, conducting legal research, managing case management functions, and assisting in remote proceedings.
- **Assignment Judge Law Clerks**: Learn all aspects of court administration, assist with emergent motions, and conduct research and legal memos.
- **Family Division Law Clerks**: Conduct legal research, assist in drafting opinions and motions, manage adjournment requests, and handle emergent applications.
- **Civil Division Law Clerks**: Prepare bench memoranda, perform legal research, draft and proofread legal documents, and assist with 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.
- **General Equity Law Clerks**: Conduct legal research, review case files, draft orders, proofread orders and opinions, and assist with case management.
### Education and Experience Information
- **Education**: Applicants must have graduated from a law school approved by the American Bar Association by the time of their law clerk appointment.
- **Experience**: 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, and it is helpful to have completed a course in mediation.
- **Mediation Training**: Required for trial court clerks serving as mediators. Applicants can request a waiver if they have completed an equivalent alternative dispute resolution course.
### Salary Information
Salaries for law clerks are based on a 52-week court term with an additional one-week or two-week overlap paid at a separate weekly rate. For the 2024-2025 Court Term, the salaries are as follows:
- Supreme Court: $76,400
- Supreme Court Appellate Division: $69,750
- Superior Court Assignment Judge: $63,950
- Superior Court Chancery Division (General Equity and Family): $63,950
- Superior Court Law Division (Civil and Criminal): $58,900
- Tax Court: $58,900
Salaries for the 2025-2026 Court Term are to 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, contingent on high-speed home internet access and installation of a multifactor authentication app.
- **Application Process**: Applications open on June 10, 2024. Candidates apply directly to justices or judges via the Judiciary's web-based portal.
- **Eligibility**: . citizenship is not required, but candidates must be authorized to work in the . under Department of Homeland Security regulations.
- **Background Check**: Selected individuals must agree to a thorough background check, including fingerprinting.
- **Residency Requirement**: Law clerks are not subject to the New Jersey residency law during their court term but must be mindful of residency requirements if transitioning to another state position post-clerkship.
- **Diversity**: Individuals from historically underrepresented groups, women, individuals with disabilities, and other protected class members are encouraged to apply.
This structured program offers law clerks hands-on experience, exposure to various court divisions, and an opportunity to work closely with judges and court staff, enhancing their future career prospects in the legal field.
