Judicial Clerkship - Government in Somerville, NJ

Government

Somerville, NJ

Judicial Clerkship - Government in Somerville, NJ

Judicial Clerkship

No

Job Title: Law Clerk 2025 - 2026

Job Responsibilities:
Law clerks in the **MEMBERS ONLY**SIGN UP NOW***. are responsible for a variety of tasks depending on the court they are assigned to. General duties include conducting legal research, preparing legal memoranda, and analyzing legal data. They assist judges in the preparation of opinions and manage docket calendars. Specific responsibilities vary by court division:

1. Supreme Court Law Clerks:
- Work with justices on complex legal cases.
- Perform legal research and prepare written memoranda on novel legal issues.
- Assist justices in opinion preparation.

2. Appellate Division Law Clerks:
- Conduct research and analyze legal data.
- Prepare legal memoranda and process emergent motion applications.
- Proofread published opinions and edit opinions authored by judges.
- Handle emergent applications and assist with additional research projects.

3. Trial Court Law Clerks:
- Observe judicial proceedings and attend conferences with attorneys and judges.
- Mediate small claims cases and summarize information for judges.
- Receive training in mediation.

4. Tax Court Law Clerks:
- Review and process motions filed with the court.
- Conduct legal research and draft case management orders.
- Manage the motion calendar and assist with remote proceedings.

5. Assignment Judge Clerks:
- Conduct research and prepare legal memos.
- Manage the judge’s docket and communicate with counsel and courthouse staff.

6. Family Division Law Clerks:
- Conduct legal research for the judge’s opinions and motions.
- Assist with remote proceedings and communicate with litigants and attorneys.
- Draft legal opinions and manage adjournment requests.

7. Civil Division Law Clerks:
- Prepare bench memoranda for civil motions.
- Perform legal research and draft legal orders.
- Assist with drafting legal opinions and manage the motion calendar.

8. Criminal Division Law Clerks:
- Conduct legal research for the judge’s opinions and motions.
- Assist in drafting jury instructions and legal opinions.
- Manage the motion calendar and perform case management functions.

9. General Equity (Chancery) Law Clerks:
- Conduct legal research on substantive and procedural legal matters.
- Prepare bench memoranda and draft orders.
- Interact with counsel and self-represented litigants regarding case management.

Education and Experience Information:
- Applicants must have graduated from a law school approved by the American Bar Association.
- The clerkship program is designed for recent law school graduates, defined as those who have graduated within the last four years.
- Excellent writing and analytical skills are essential.
- Completion of a mediation course is beneficial, and trial court law clerks who will serve as mediators must complete a 12-hour mediation training or its equivalent.
- Applicants should not have engaged in the practice of law prior to applying.

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:
- The Judiciary offers a hybrid work schedule, allowing up to four days per month of remote work.
- Applicants must have high-speed home internet access for remote work eligibility.
- Law clerks may hold outside employment with prior approval as per the Code of Conduct for Judiciary Employees.
- A valid driver's license is required if vehicle operation 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.
- Approximately 480 clerkships are available, with most openings in the Superior Court Law Division and Family Division.
- The **MEMBERS ONLY**SIGN UP NOW***. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, encouraging applications from historically underrepresented groups, women, individuals with disabilities, and other protected class members.