**Job Title**
Law Clerk 2025 - 2026
**Job Responsibilities**
The **Members Only** offers law clerk positions across various courts, including the Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Superior Court, Chancery Division, Law Division, and Tax Court. Law clerks undertake a range of responsibilities, which vary slightly depending on the court they are assigned to:
- Supreme Court law clerks assist justices with complex legal cases, performing legal research, preparing written memoranda on novel issues of law, and aiding in the preparation of opinions.
- Appellate Division law clerks engage in research, analyze legal data, prepare legal memoranda, process emergent motion applications, and proofread published opinions. They also handle emergent applications and assist with additional research projects.
- Trial Court law clerks observe judicial proceedings, attend conferences with attorneys and judges, receive training in mediation, and mediate small claims cases. They summarize information for judges and assist with emergent motions.
- Tax Court law clerks conduct legal research, draft case management orders, manage the motion calendar, and communicate directly with attorneys and litigants. They do not mediate cases.
- Assignment Judge law clerks learn court administration and assist with emergent motions, conducting research, preparing legal memos, and managing the judge's docket.
- Family Division clerks conduct legal research, assist with remote proceedings, communicate with litigants and attorneys, and handle emergent applications. They work directly with judges on cases involving family law issues.
- Civil Division clerks prepare bench memoranda, perform legal research, draft legal orders, and assist with case management functions. They gain experience in mediation and observe judicial proceedings.
- Criminal Division clerks conduct legal research, assist in drafting jury instructions and legal opinions, manage the motion calendar, and perform case management functions. They assist with remote proceedings and communicate with attorneys and internal staff.
- General Equity clerks conduct research on substantive and procedural legal matters, prepare bench memoranda, draft orders, and proofread judge's orders and opinions. They interact with counsel and litigants regarding case management and procedural issues.
**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 targets recent law school graduates, defined as those who have graduated within the last four years. Excellent writing and analytical skills are essential. While not mandatory, having completed a course in mediation is advantageous. Selected candidates must provide an official, final law school transcript at the time of hire.
**Salary Information**
The salary for law clerks varies based on the court they are assigned to:
- 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
These salaries are based on a 52-week court term, with a one-week or two-week overlap paid at a separate weekly rate. The salaries for the 2025-2026 Court Term will be determined based on funding availability.
**Additional Information**
The Judiciary offers a hybrid work schedule, allowing for up to four days per month of remote work. Law clerks may hold outside employment with prior approval as per the Code of Conduct for Judiciary Employees. A driver's license valid in New Jersey is required only if necessary to perform essential duties. US citizenship is not required, but candidates must be authorized to work in the US. A thorough background check, including fingerprinting, is mandatory for selected candidates.
The **Members Only** is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and encourages individuals from historically underrepresented groups to apply. Approximately 480 clerkships are available each year, with positions in various courts, including the Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Assignment Judges, Chancery Division, and Tax Court.
Candidates must complete the application process fully, including the work experience and education sections, and attach any required documents. The application process opens on June 10, 2024, through the Judiciary's web-based portal, with justices and judges contacting applicants for interviews starting June 17, 2024.
For more information, candidates can visit the New Jersey Courts website.
