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What does a Judicial Law Clerk do?

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 4 min read

A judicial law clerk is a professional who assists judges in researching cases and writing opinions. In some jurisdictions, judicial law clerks are also responsible for managing the judge's docket and calendar.

Judicial Law Clerk job duties include:

  • Research and draft opinions, memoranda, and orders on a variety of legal issues
  • Assist with the preparation of cases for trial
  • Manage and maintain files and calendars
  • Conduct legal research using online databases and resources
  • Summarize depositions, medical records, and other discovery materials
  • Analyze complex legal documents and statutes
  • Prepare bench briefs and trial notebooks
  • Observe court proceedings and assist with trial preparation
  • Help resolve scheduling conflicts and other administrative matters

Judicial Law Clerk Job Requirements

A judicial law clerk is an individual who provides support to a judge in a court of law. The duties of a judicial law clerk vary depending on the jurisdiction, but generally involve researching legal issues, drafting documents, and preparing for hearings. Many judicial law clerks are recent law school graduates. In order to be a judicial law clerk, one must have a Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school. Some jurisdictions also require that judicial law clerks pass a bar examination.

Judicial Law Clerk Skills

  • Analytical skills
  • Research skills
  • Writing skills
  • Organizational skills
  • Time management skills
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Critical thinking skills
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Creative thinking skills
  • Public speaking skills
  • Argumentation skills

Related: Top Judicial Law Clerk Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become a Judicial Law Clerk

The first step to becoming a judicial law clerk is to complete your undergraduate degree. Once you have your degree, you will need to pass the LSAT and apply to law school. After completing law school, you will need to pass the bar exam in order to practice law. Once you are a licensed attorney, you can apply for a position as a judicial law clerk.

Judicial law clerks play an important role in our legal system. They provide research and writing support to judges, and they often have the opportunity to work on high-profile cases. If you are interested in becoming a judicial law clerk, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

First, it is important to understand that the job of a judicial law clerk is very demanding. You will be expected to work long hours and put in extra time when needed. This means that you need to be very organized and efficient in your work.

Second, as a judicial law clerk, you will be working closely with judges. It is important to be able to communicate effectively with them and understand their needs.

Third, you must be able to do extensive research. This includes being able to find relevant case law and statutes, as well as being familiar with legal research tools such as LexisNexis and Westlaw.

Fourth, writing skills are essential for this position. You will be expected to draft opinions, memos, and other legal documents. Your writing must be clear, concise, and persuasive.

If you are interested in becoming a judicial law clerk, it is important to start preparing early. Start by getting good grades in your undergraduate coursework and doing well on the LSAT. Then, apply to top law schools and focus on getting good grades during your three years of law school. Finally, take the bar exam and start applying for positions as a judicial law clerk. With hard work and dedication, you can become a valuable member of the legal profession!

Related: Judicial Law Clerk Resume Example

Related: Judicial Law Clerk Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Editorial staff

Photo of Brenna Goyette, Editor

Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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