What does a Law Clerk do?
Law clerks are attorneys who work for judges in the municipal, state, and federal court systems. They are called upon to draft memoranda and opinions and to perform tasks for judges, including legal research. As the right-hand assistants to their judges, law clerks make recommendations about the disposition of cases and appeals. They have the ability to heavily influence a judge's decision based solely upon their research, which lends to their potential to contribute to the formation of new case laws.
Law clerks verify legal citations, attend hearings, and provide support for their judges during any and all court hearings and proceedings. In assistant roles, clerks prepare files for hearings and manage their judges' filing systems. Through their research, law clerks assist judges in making informed legal decisions. They prepare the documentation used within legal proceedings alongside various legal documents that will be used later on or in proceedings. To be a law clerk, most judges prefer to hire recent law school graduates with a Juris Doctor degree.
- Prepare and draft legal documents, such as motions, briefs, memoranda of law, etc.
- Endow a fund donor database, producing annual scholarship and other endowed funds reports.
- Work under the direction of a supervisory paralegal or a project supervisor.
- Primary interface with trial attorneys, experts, and other client staff.
- Occasionally handle emergency or crisis situations. frequently subject to interruptions, and multiple calls and inquiries.
- Process Civil Rights and Privacy complaints by responding to correspondence and phone calls.
- Under general supervision, perform advanced journey level, complex, and highly confidential legal secretarial work for judges.
- Assist with the negotiations of LOIs, commercial leases, APAs, supply agreements, and other contracts as necessary.
- Maintain detailed and confidential records, manage all courtroom activities and functions, and act as liaison between defendants, court personnel and the judicial officer.
- Utilize various case management systems to maintain the accuracy of the court record.
- Schedule hearings, facilitate both in-person and virtual hearings, and provide notice to parties and attorneys.
- Work on special projects as assigned and other projects as needed.
- Assist in the receipt and evaluation of new complaints.
- Travel is required throughout the district and court sites to attend meetings and trainings.
- Bachelor's Degree in accounting or law or GED/high school diploma and equivalent experience.
- Experience with R language.
- Fluency in standard practices and forms such as notices, petitions, and file management.
- Confident utilizing critical thinking and info gathering to disseminate findings and assist in decision making.
- Experience in an advocacy position.
- Comfortable with problem-solving.
- Mastery of file management.
Law Clerk Salaries
Average Base Pay
Law Clerk Career Path
Learn how to become a Law Clerk, what skills and education you need to succeed, and what level of pay to expect at each step on your career path.
Years of Experience Distribution
Law Clerk Insights
Winn Solicitors“I enjoy having the responsibility of running my own claims and the bonus scheme is really great too”
Robb Leonard Mulvahill“It is an amazing place to work and learn With the best civil litigation attorneys in Pittsburgh.”
“The supervising attorneys were willing to teach and provide sound feedback to encourage growth and development.”
Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin“I have had the opportunity to work with excellent attorneys who have really taken the time to mentor me.”
The Law Offices of Max Elliott“I do not take this lightly when I say that Max is the best boss I have ever had.”
My AZ Lawyers“My salary as a law clerk was equivalent to what many other firms I have seen list for attorney positions.”
GovHK“Good Salary and good hearted employer”
Resource Corporation“I expressed how I felt about the training and the unprofessionalism and they retaliated against me !”
Frequently asked questions about the role and responsibilities of a Law Clerk
When working as a Law Clerk, the most common skills you will need to perform your job and for career success are Written Communication, juris Doctorate, Writing, Requests and Jd Degree.
- Paralegal
- Legal Assistant
- Legal Secretary
- Legal Advisor
The most common qualifications to become a Law Clerk is a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree and an average of 0 - 1 of experience not including years spent in education and/or training.