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 tasked with a variety of responsibilities that are contingent upon the specific court they are assigned to. Across different divisions, law clerks are expected to engage in legal research, prepare written memoranda on complex legal issues, process emergent motion applications, proofread opinions, and assist judges in the preparation of opinions. The duties differ slightly depending on the division:

1. Supreme Court: Law clerks work closely with justices on complex cases, performing legal research and assisting in preparing opinions.

2. Appellate Division: Law clerks conduct research, analyze legal data, prepare legal memoranda, process emergent motion applications, and proofread published opinions.

3. Superior Court Assignment Judges: Law clerks learn all aspects of court administration and assist with processing emergent motions.

4. Trial Courts (Civil and Criminal): Law clerks gain practical experience by observing judicial proceedings, attending conferences with attorneys and judges, receiving training in mediation, and summarizing information for judges.

5. Tax Court: Law clerks perform duties similar to those in the Appellate Division and trial courts, focusing on legal challenges related to tax issues.

6. Family Division: Law clerks conduct legal research, assist with remote proceedings, communicate with litigants, draft legal opinions and orders, and handle emergent applications.

7. Civil Division: Law clerks prepare bench memoranda, perform legal research, draft legal orders, manage the motion calendar, and assist with case management functions.

8. Criminal Division: Law clerks conduct legal research, 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, review case files, draft orders, and interact with counsel and self-represented 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 appointment. The program is geared towards recent graduates, defined as those who have graduated within the last four years. Excellent writing and analytical skills are essential. It is beneficial to have completed a course in mediation. Selected candidates must provide an official, final law school transcript at the time of hire. For those serving as mediators, completion of a 12-hour mediation training or its equivalent is required. Law clerks may be eligible for a second clerkship in the Appellate Division or Supreme Court if they have completed a trial court or Tax Court clerkship.

Salary Information:
Salaries for the 2025-2026 court term are to be determined based on funding availability. The salaries for the 2024-2025 court term are as follows:
- 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:
- Law clerks may hold outside employment with prior approval as per the Code of Conduct for Judiciary Employees.
- A valid New Jersey driver's license is required only if necessary to perform essential duties.
- . citizenship is not required, but candidates must be authorized to work in the .
- A thorough background check, including fingerprinting, is mandatory for selected candidates.
- Law clerks are not subject to the New Jersey residency law during their court term.
- Approximately 480 clerkships are available each year, with a limited number for the Supreme Court and other higher courts.
- The position offers a hybrid work schedule, with the possibility of up to four days per month of remote work.
- Interested applicants can apply via the Judiciary's web-based portal starting June 10, 2024.
- The **MEMBERS ONLY**SIGN UP NOW***. promotes diversity and encourages individuals from underrepresented groups, women, individuals with disabilities, and other protected class members to apply.