Law Clerk (Union Vicinage)

Court Term: August 16, 2027 through August 25, 2028. Salaries listed are based on a 52-week court term for the 2027-2028 term and are subject to funding availability.

Pay

• Assignment Judge & General Equity Law Clerks: $69,168.00
• Civil, Criminal & Family Division Law Clerks: $63,706.00

About the Role

Start your legal career in a court system recognized as one of the best in the nation and enhance your future career prospects. Professional law clerk positions are available in the New Jersey Judiciary for individuals with strong communication and analytical skills.

• Supreme Court law clerks work with justices on complex cases involving difficult issues of law.
• Appellate Division law clerks conduct research, analyze legal data, prepare legal memoranda, process emergent motion applications, and proofread published opinions.
• Law clerks for assignment judges learn all aspects of court administration and assist with processing emergent motions.
• Trial court law clerks gain practical experience while observing judicial proceedings, attending conferences with attorneys and judges, 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.

Individuals who have served or are currently serving in a trial court or Tax Court clerkship may be eligible to serve an additional one-year clerkship in the Appellate Division or Supreme Court.

Responsibilities

• Regular and predictable physical presence at the worksite is an essential function of this position.
• Conduct legal research and analyze legal data.
• Prepare legal memoranda and process emergent motion applications.
• Proofread published opinions.
• Assist with court administration and emergent motions (Assignment Judges).
• Observe judicial proceedings and attend conferences with attorneys and judges.
• Receive training in mediation and mediate small claims cases (trial court law clerks).
• Summarize information for judges.

Qualifications

• Must have graduated from a law school approved by the American Bar Association by the time of appointment.
• Intended for recent law school graduates (graduated within the last four years).
• Excellent writing and analytical skills are essential.
• Completion of a mediation course prior to the start of the clerkship is helpful.
• Under Court Rule, all trial court law clerks who will serve as mediators must complete the Judiciary-sponsored 12-hour mediation training or its equivalent. Waivers may be requested with documentation of an approved alternative dispute resolution course.
• Selected candidates must provide an official, final law school transcript including the date of graduation at the time of hire.

Requirements

• Must agree to a thorough background check, including fingerprinting.
• Driver’s license valid in New Jersey is required only if the operation of a vehicle is necessary to perform essential duties.
• US citizenship is not required, but selected candidates must be authorized to work in the US according to Department of Homeland Security regulations.
• Under the "New Jersey First Act," law clerks are exempt from the residency requirement during their court term. Those serving a second clerkship in a higher court are also exempt. Clerks moving into another state position immediately following their clerkship(s) must establish New Jersey residency.

Supplemental Information

• Law clerks may hold outside employment with prior approval as provided in the Code of Conduct for Judiciary Employees.
• Approximately 480 clerkships are available, with a limited number in the Supreme Court, Appellate Division, Assignment Judges, Chancery Division (general equity), and Tax Court. Most openings are in the Superior Court Law Division (civil and criminal) and Chancery Division (family court).
• Individuals from historically underrepresented groups, women, individuals with disabilities, and other protected class members are encouraged to apply.