Job Title: Law Clerk 2025 - 2026
Job Responsibilities:
Law clerks in the **Members Only** are tasked with a variety of responsibilities that depend on the court division they are assigned to. These responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Supreme Court law clerks work with justices on complex cases involving difficult issues of law. They perform legal research, prepare written memoranda on novel issues, and assist in the preparation of opinions.
- Appellate Division law clerks conduct research, analyze legal data, prepare legal memoranda, process emergent motion applications, and proofread published opinions.
- Trial court law clerks gain practical experience by observing judicial proceedings, attending conferences with attorneys and judges, receiving training in mediation, and mediating small claims cases. They also summarize information for judges.
- Law clerks for assignment judges learn all aspects of court administration and assist with processing emergent motions.
- Tax Court law clerks perform duties similar to those assigned to law clerks in the Appellate Division and trial courts, focusing on judicial tax challenges and managing case-related tasks.
- Family Division law clerks conduct legal research, assist in remote proceedings, communicate with self-represented litigants, draft legal opinions and orders, and manage adjournment requests.
- Civil Division law clerks prepare bench memoranda, perform legal research, draft legal orders, and assist in 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 (Chancery) law clerks conduct legal research, review case files, draft orders, and interact with counsel and litigants regarding case management.
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, with mediation skills being a plus.
- It is helpful to have completed a course in mediation prior to the start of the clerkship. 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 the 2024-2025 Court Term are provided, with those for the 2025-2026 Court Term to be determined based on funding availability.
- 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 each year across various divisions, with a limited number available for the Supreme Court and Superior Court Appellate Division.
- The **Members Only** offers a hybrid work schedule, with up to four days per month of remote work possible.
- 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 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.
- A thorough background check, including fingerprinting, is required for selected candidates.
- The "New Jersey First Act" requires new hires to establish and maintain residency in New Jersey within one year, with certain exemptions applicable to law clerks.
Application Process:
- Applications for the 2025-2026 court term open on June 10, 2024, via the Judiciary's web-based portal.
- Applicants will be contacted directly by justices or judges for interviews starting June 17, 2024.
- Applicants must complete the work experience and education sections in the application and provide an official law school transcript upon hire.
- Letters of recommendation can be submitted through the Law Clerkship portal by law school career services staff or professional recommenders.
The **Members Only** is committed to diversity and encourages individuals from historically underrepresented groups, women, individuals with disabilities, and other protected class members to apply. The Judiciary is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.
