Job Title: Law Clerk 2025 - 2026
Job Responsibilities:
- Supreme Court law clerks work closely with justices on complex legal cases, performing legal research, preparing written memoranda on novel issues of law, and assisting in the preparation of opinions.
- Appellate Division clerks conduct research, analyze legal data, prepare legal memoranda, process emergent motion applications, and proofread published opinions. They edit opinions authored by their judge and other judges assigned to the part, handle emergent applications, and assist with additional research projects.
- Trial court law clerks gain practical experience by observing judicial proceedings, attending conferences with attorneys and judges, and receiving training in mediation. They mediate small claims cases and summarize information for judges.
- Tax Court clerks perform duties similar to Appellate Division and trial court clerks but do not mediate cases. They review and process motions, conduct legal research, draft case management orders, and assist with remote proceedings.
- Assignment Judge clerks assist with court administration, process emergent motions, conduct research, prepare legal memos, manage the judge’s docket, and communicate with counsel and court staff.
- Family Division clerks conduct legal research, assist with remote proceedings, communicate with litigants and attorneys, assist in drafting legal opinions and orders, and handle emergent applications.
- Civil Division clerks prepare bench memoranda, perform legal research, draft legal orders, manage the motion calendar, and communicate with attorneys and litigants.
- Criminal Division clerks conduct legal research, assist in drafting jury instructions and legal opinions, draft legal orders and memoranda, manage the motion calendar, and assist with remote proceedings.
- General Equity (Chancery) clerks conduct legal research, review case files, draft orders, proofread judge's orders and opinions, interact with counsel and litigants, and assist in processing emergent temporary restraining order applications.
Education and Experience Information:
- Candidates 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 graduating within the last four years.
- Excellent writing and analytical skills are essential.
- Completion of a mediation course is beneficial. Trial court clerks who serve as mediators must complete a Judiciary-sponsored 12-hour mediation training or its equivalent.
- Individuals who have served or are serving in a trial court or Tax Court clerkship may be eligible for an additional one-year clerkship in the Appellate Division or Supreme Court.
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:
- Approximately 480 clerkships are available annually, with positions in the Supreme Court, Superior Court Appellate Division, Superior Court Assignment Judges, Superior Court Chancery Division (General Equity and Family), Superior Court Law Division (Civil and Criminal), and Tax Court.
- The **Members Only** offers a hybrid work schedule, allowing up to four days per month of remote work.
- Selected candidates must provide an official law school transcript and undergo a thorough background check, including fingerprinting.
- Law clerks may hold outside employment with prior approval as provided in the Code of Conduct for Judiciary Employees.
- A valid New Jersey driver's license is required if the operation of a vehicle is necessary for the position.
- US citizenship is not required, but candidates must be authorized to work in the US.
The **Members Only** is committed to diversity and encourages applicants from historically underrepresented groups, women, individuals with disabilities, and other protected class members to apply. The Judiciary is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer dedicated to ensuring an open door to justice.
