Job Title: Law Clerk 2025 - 2026
Job Responsibilities:
- Supreme Court law clerks work with justices on complex cases involving difficult issues of law, performing legal research, preparing written memoranda, and assisting 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, and receiving training in mediation to mediate small claims cases.
- Tax Court law clerks perform duties similar to law clerks in the Appellate Division and trial courts but do not mediate cases.
- Assignment judge law clerks learn all aspects of court administration and assist with processing emergent motions.
- Family Division law clerks conduct legal research, assist with remote proceedings, communicate with litigants and attorneys, and assist judges in drafting legal opinions and orders.
- Civil Division law clerks prepare bench memoranda for civil motions, perform legal research, draft legal orders, and assist with case management functions.
- Criminal Division law clerks conduct legal research, assist in drafting jury instructions and legal opinions, manage motion calendars, and assist with remote proceedings.
- General Equity (Chancery) law clerks conduct legal research, review case files, draft orders, and assist in processing emergent temporary restraining order applications.
Education and Experience Information:
- Law clerks must have graduated from a law school approved by the American Bar Association by the time of their law clerk appointment.
- The Judiciary's law clerkship program is intended for recent law school graduates, defined as graduating within the last four years.
- Excellent writing and analytical skills are essential.
- Completion of a course in mediation is helpful, especially for those serving as mediators, requiring the Judiciary-sponsored 12-hour mediation training or its equivalent.
Salary Information:
- Salaries are based on a 52-week court term with an additional one-week or two-week overlap paid at a separate weekly rate.
- Supreme Court: $76,400
- Supreme Court Appellate Division: $69,750
- Superior Court Assignment Judge: $63,950
- Superior Court Chancery Division (General Equity and Family): $63,950
- Superior Court Law Division (Civil and Criminal): $58,900
- Tax Court: $58,900
Additional Information:
- Remote Work: The Judiciary offers a hybrid work schedule, with the potential for up to four days per month of remote work outside Judiciary buildings.
- Law clerks may hold outside employment with prior approval as per the Code of Conduct for Judiciary Employees.
- A valid driver's license in New Jersey 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 individuals.
- Approximately 480 clerkships are available, with a focus on diversity and inclusion, encouraging individuals from historically underrepresented groups to apply.
- New Jersey residency is required within one year of hire, with possible exemptions for hardship or critical need.
- Interested applicants should apply through the Judiciary's web-based portal starting June 10, 2024, with applications being accepted until June 9, 2025.
- Law clerks gain invaluable experience and insight into the judicial process, enhancing their future career prospects.
