A legal clerk, in general, is someone who works in a court, law firm, or government office and assists judges and attorneys with a variety of tasks. Most law clerks are attorneys or are in the process of becoming attorneys, which distinguishes them from more general legal secretaries; a secretary might work with a clerk but would typically perform purely administrative tasks. Clerks, on the other hand, may be responsible for some of the more mundane tasks, but they are also in charge of legal research, brief writing, and, in some cases, client interaction. Clerkships are designed to be temporary jobs for new lawyers or law students in most legal systems, and most last between 1-3 years. They’re often fiercely competitive, but they can be an excellent way for young professionals or those new to the field to demonstrate their competence while also making valuable connections. People can be hired as clerks on a more or less permanent basis in some circumstances, but this is uncommon. After completing his or her clerkship, it is much more common for a clerk to be hired as a full attorney or practicing member of a firm.
The Fundamental Idea
A legal clerkship’s main purpose is to provide trainee lawyers with an apprenticeship-style experience. There are a variety of places where people with this title might work, but courts are usually among the most common; judges frequently use these positions to get help with research and other legal tasks, especially in the United States. Both state and federal Supreme Court justices frequently hire one or more clerks, and these positions are often highly sought after.
Clerks are occasionally employed law firms, particularly those with small or limited budgets, and the position is also common in many government offices. Although different offices have different hiring policies and practices, clerks are frequently students in their second or third year of law school; they may also be recent graduates. Graduates are often more appealing for full-time or intensive work, though many law schools will credit students for clerkship experience, allowing them to work full-time for a semester or year.
Work with Lawyers
Legal research takes up the majority of most legal clerks’ time. Clerks are frequently tasked with searching case law for relevant precedent and spending a significant amount of time analyzing how different courts have addressed certain issues. They frequently write briefs for lawyers who are preparing to litigate and assist them in getting up to speed on the key issues in law firms. Those who work for judges can usually identify the key points that need to be made and can offer advice on how to craft an opinion.
The majority of this work is unsexy, and the clerk almost never gets credit for it. However, it is generally regarded as valuable experience that can assist the trainee in becoming more familiar with the workings of the legal profession. Many employers value clerkship experience because of the breadth of knowledge gained most clerks during their time on the job.
Administrative responsibilities
Law clerks perform many of the same administrative tasks as other administrative assistants, such as answering phones, filing documents, and fielding client and prospective client questions, to name a few. Much of this is dependent on the setting and whether or not a full-time legal secretary is employed. Clerks are expected to have superior communication and computer skills. They must also be trustworthy, as much of the practice of law is highly confidential, and they must pay close attention to detail, as a clerical error could have a significant impact on the outcome of a case.
Finding Jobs and Getting Started
Most courts and firms have a streamlined and systematic process for hiring legal clerks, and in most cases it’s cyclical; applications are accepted at the beginning of each term, once every year, or once every two to three years, depending on need. When it comes to the type of education and training that is required, the requirements can vary greatly. Many of the most competitive positions require proof of grades at or above a certain threshold, and some of the most competitive positions require applicants to be within a certain percentage point of the top of their class academically. Many law schools have clerkship placement offices to assist students and recent graduates who want to pursue this career path.