what does a lawyer clerk do

by Spencer Mann 9 min read

Law Clerks work with judges to help them make judicial decisions. They can be experienced lawyers or recent law-school graduates who have completed a one or two-year clerkship. They make recommendations after researching elements of the case being heard.

Typically, the broad range of duties assigned to a law clerk includes conducting legal research, preparing bench memos, drafting orders and opinions, proofreading the judge's orders and opinions, verifying citations, communicating with counsel regarding case management and procedural requirements, and assisting the ...

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What makes a good law clerk?

Oct 02, 2020 · Generally speaking, Law Clerks earn anywhere from $27,000 to $93,000 a year, which means that the top-earning Law Clerks make $66,000 more than the ones at the lower end of the spectrum. Once you've become a Law Clerk, you may be curious about what other opportunities are out there.

What are the duties of a law clerk?

What does a Law Clerk do? Law Clerks work with judges to help them make judicial decisions. They can be experienced lawyers or recent law-school graduates who have completed a one or two-year clerkship. They make recommendations after researching elements of the case being heard. Their input is often instrumental in the formation of new case ...

What is needed to become a law clerk?

Dec 10, 2019 · A law clerk, sometimes called a judicial clerk or a judicial law clerk, is a legal professional who helps a judge or lawyer make legal decisions. A law clerk’s duties depend on whether they are a trial law clerk working in courts, an appellate law clerk working on civil and criminal appeals cases, or a law clerk working at a legal firm.

What to expect as a law clerk?

Law Clerks work with judges to help them make judicial decisions. They can be experienced lawyers or recent law-school graduates who have completed a one or two-year clerkship. They make recommendations after researching elements of the case being heard. Their input is often instrumental in the formation of new case law because of the pivotal way in which they …

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What does a regular office hours looks like for a law clerk?

Law Clerks generally work regular office hours, but they can be required to work longer hours when required to prepare for complex cases. There are...

Where do law clerks usually work at?

Law Clerks work for judges in state and federal courts a well as appellate and supreme courts. There are also Law Clerk positions with trial judges...

What is the working environment for a law clerk like?

A law clerk works in an office environment, usually alongside supervisors and other colleagues. Collaborative working is necessary to achieve the h...

How much do similar professions to a law clerk get paid?

Check the below indeed career pages for the detailed pay ranges for the similar professions here: Legal Assistant Paralegal Legal Secretary Adminis...

What are the skills of a law clerk?

We break down the percentage of Law Clerks that have these skills listed on their resume here: 1 Discovery Responses, 11%#N#Researched and drafted affirmations in support, arbitration contentions, discovery responses, and attorney correspondence for insurance fraud litigation firm. 2 Legal Advice, 10%#N#Conducted extensive legal research and drafted several sentencing memorandums and case summaries regarding complex legal issues. 3 Legal Documents, 8%#N#Compiled accurate information from other departments in order to answer complaints, interrogatories and other legal documents on a timely basis. 4 Legal Memos, 6%#N#Conducted legal research and prepared legal memos regarding legal and non-legal issues Drafted arbitration filings, complaints, and other litigation documents 5 Pre-Trial Motions, 5%#N#File motions and documents in various departments at Daley Center, including spindle motions in both Civil and Law Divisions. 6 Law Firm, 3%#N#Clerked for law firm that focused on international business transactions and intellectual property licensing matters while living in and experiencing Peru.

How much does a law clerk make?

Generally speaking, law clerks earn anywhere from $27,000 to $106,000 a year, which means that the top-earning law clerks make $79,000 more than the ones at the lower end of the spectrum. Once you've become a law clerk, you may be curious about what other opportunities are out there. Careers aren't one size fits all.

What are the skills required to operate a computer?

Computer skills involves understanding how to operate a computer, as well as computer programs and applications. Interpersonal skills. Interpersonal skills involves being able to communicate efficiently with multiple people regarding your thoughts, ideas and feedback.

What is a law clerk?

A law clerk, sometimes called a judicial clerk or a judicial law clerk, is a legal professional who helps a judge or lawyer make legal decisions. A law clerk’s duties depend on whether they are a trial law clerk working in courts, an appellate law clerk working on civil and criminal appeals cases, or a law clerk working at a legal firm. Many law clerks share the following responsibilities: 1 Researching laws and legal precedents from past cases to guide a judge’s or lawyer’s decisions about current cases 2 Advising the judge and other legal team members of case facts before oral arguments 3 Managing evidence, taking statements from witnesses and providing additional assistance to judges during courtroom proceedings as requested 4 Drafting legal documents, including records of legal proceedings and trial briefs 5 Delivering subpoenas to witnesses and experts 6 Maintaining the chamber’s library if working in a courtroom setting

Where do law clerks work?

Law clerks typically work in an office setting. These offices may be within courthouses, usually close to the judge’s chambers, or within law firms. They perform most of their duties in an office, although they’ll also spend time in the courtroom and, depending on their employer, the judge’s chambers.

How many hours do law clerks work?

As with most legal professions, law clerks should wear business professional attire at all times. Law clerks work full-time hours of at least 40 hours a week. Overtime hours are typical, especially when working on complex cases. Some law clerks will work overtime from home if possible.

Do law clerks have to pass the bar exam?

Both occupations have similar education requirements, although lawyers must pass the state bar examination to practice law.

What is the LSAT?

This exam assesses your aptitude for studying law. Passing the LSAT is a prerequisite for attending law school. You will need to submit your LSAT score to your preferred law school along with other application materials, such as proof of your bachelor’s degree, professor recommendations, GPA and a personal statement.

What is the job of a lawyer?

Advising the judge and other legal team members of case facts before oral arguments. Managing evidence, taking statements from witnesses and providing additional assistance to judges during courtroom proceedings as requested. Drafting legal documents, including records of legal proceedings and trial briefs.

What is emotional intelligence?

Emotional intelligence also includes an active listening ability to understand and process the requests of their colleagues. Emotional intelligence can help a law clerk learn a colleague’s needs quickly, which can be helpful in a fast-paced legal setting.

What does a law clerk do?

What a law clerk does depends on the type of court they serve and the judge’s preference. As an assistant to a judge, this legal professional contributes directly to the judicial process. This position requires extensive knowledge about different areas of the law and court procedures.

How long does a law clerk serve?

Tax Court generally have the same duties and responsibilities as those as serving the trial courts. Law clerks serve judges one to two years on average before moving on in their careers.

What are the duties of an appellate clerk?

Appellate clerks have little involvement with courtroom proceedings. Their main responsibility involves reviewing trial records for error. They research legal matters in civil and criminal appeals and brief the judge on the facts of the case before oral arguments take place. Additional duties include: 1 Writing bench memoranda 2 Researching applicable laws 3 Drafting orders and other legal documents 4 Supervising chamber staff 5 Making recommendations to the judge regarding the disposition of appeals

What is a trial court clerk?

Trial court judicial clerks have direct involvement with litigation, and they assist the judge with court proceedings. They manage evidence, interact with courtroom staff, and review briefs submitted by the parties.

How long does it take to become a law clerk?

To start, individuals must obtain a bachelor’s degree (B.S.), which involves four years of undergraduate study.

How much does a law clerk make?

However, those in judicial law clerk positions may earn upwards of $97,000 per year. Experience and geographical location both help determine the salary earned. For instance, clerks for the state of New York earn more than those working for local courts in Pennsylvania.

What is the job of a trial judge?

Their main responsibility involves reviewing trial records for error. They research legal matters in civil and criminal appeals and brief the judge on the facts of the case before oral arguments take place. Additional duties include: Writing bench memoranda. Researching applicable laws.

Where do law clerks work?

Typically, judicial law clerks will have their own office space, near the judge they are assigned to, in a courthouse. While they will surely spend a great deal of time there, a law clerk will spend a great deal of time all over the courthouse including the judge's chambers and the judge's courtroom. In addition to these locations, due ...

What does a judicial clerk do?

A judicial law clerk can provide assistance to a judge in various ways. Despite the title of clerk, a law clerk's duties don't normally include the typical duties of other types of clerk such as filing, typing and making copies. Instead, judicial law clerks work as an assistant to a judge and help that judge make good legal decisions based on ...

What is a paralegal training program?

Paralegal training programs typically offer classes that resemble the first year or two of law school. A law clerk is a legal professional who works for a lawyer or most likely, a judge, and helps to research and determine legal options in a case. Law clerks have typically completed law school, and get their start as a law clerk.

What is a paralegal?

A paralegal is under the guidance of a lawyer, and assists with many legal responsibilities. They help prepare cases and handle many of the administrative tasks involved with pursuing claims, as well as conduct research and execute orders from the lawyer in relation to a case.

What does "enterprising" mean?

They tend to be enterprising individuals, which means they’re adventurous, ambitious, assertive, extroverted, energetic, enthusiastic, confident, and optimistic. They are dominant, persuasive, and motivational. Some of them are also conventional, meaning they’re conscientious and conservative.

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Law Clerk Salary

  • Salaries vary depending on the clerk's experience, whether they've yet been admitted to the bar, locality pay adjustments, and the type of clerk position—whether it's career, term, or temporary. Some state courts historically pay more than others, including New York, Connecticut, West Virgi…
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Education, Training, & Certification

  • The law clerk position involves fulfilling education and training requirements as follows: 1. Education:Candidates must have completed an undergraduate degree and a law degree. Because of the academic nature of the work and the prestige associated with clerkship positions, superior academic credentials often are a prerequisite to employment. This means top grades, law revie…
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Law Clerk Skills & Competencies

  • In addition to education and other requirements, candidates that possess the following skills may be able to perform more successfully in the job. Judicial clerkships are highly research- and writing-intensive positions. 1. Superior writing skills: These are necessary to draft concise, well-researched opinions, bench memoranda, and other legal documents. 2. Excellent research skills…
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Job Outlook

  • According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the outlook for law clerk jobs relative to other occupations and industries is average. Employment is expected to grow by about 6% from 2016 to 2026, which is slightly slower growth than the average of 7% growth for all occupations between 2016 and 2026.
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Work Environment

  • Law clerks work in an office environment and spend a good deal of their time in face-to-face discussions with peers and supervisors. The job may be stressful for some, as it involves constant pressure to be accurate and exact.
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