Law Clerk

Launch Your Legal Career with a Meaningful Judicial Clerkship in New Jersey Courts

Are you ready to take the first step toward a transformative legal career? Becoming a judicial law clerk with New Jersey Courts offers an unparalleled opportunity for law school graduates to engage in significant work, develop critical skills, and build connections that will help you in shaping your future. With over 400 clerkships positions available annually across Supreme, Appellate, Tax, and Superior Courts, this experience could be your gateway to professional success.

Why Choose a Judicial Clerkship with NJ Courts?

• Immerse yourself in the inner workings of New Jersey Courts and gain exclusive behind-the-scenes knowledge of the judicial process. Work closely with justices, judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, trial litigators, and court staff - all while playing a vital role in serving the public
• Your assigned justice or judge may become a lifelong mentor, guiding you with career-defining legal advice
• Collaborate daily with fellow court employees, attorneys, self-represented litigants, and court personnel in a dynamic environment
• Build invaluable connections that will open doors to exciting opportunities after your clerkship
• Enhance your legal skillset
• Receive mediation training, attend professional development courses, and earn CLE credits toward your bar certification. Develop expertise that will set you apart in your legal career
• Competitive salaries

• Supreme Court Law Clerks - Work on complex cases involving challenging legal issues alongside justices.
• Appellate Division Law Clerks - Conduct in-depth legal research, analyze data, prepare memoranda, process emergent motion applications, and proofread published opinions.
• Trial Court Law Clerks - Gain practical experience by observing judicial proceedings, attending conferences, mediating small claims cases, and summarizing information for judges. Law clerks for assignment judges also learn court administration and assist with emergent motions.
• Tax Court Law Clerks - Perform duties similar to those in the Appellate Division and trial courts, minus mediation responsibilities.

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, which is defined as graduating within the last four years. Selected candidates will be required to provide anofficial, final law school transcript,not a photocopy, which includes the date of graduation from their law school at the time of hire.

Excellent writing and analytical skills are essential.

Individuals who have served or are currently serving in a trial court or Tax Court clerkship may be eligible to serve an additional one-year clerkship in the Appellate Division or Supreme Court.

It is helpful to have completed a course in mediation prior to the start of the clerkship. Under Court Rule, all trial court law clerks who will serve as mediators must first complete the Judiciary sponsored 12-hour mediation training or its equivalent. Applicants selected for clerkships can request a waiver from attending the Judiciary's training program at the start of the court term by providing documentation that confirms that they successfully completed an approved alternative dispute resolution course.

Benefits of Becoming a Judicial Law Clerk

• Hybrid Work Schedule - Enjoy up to four remote workdays per month with high-speed internet access and multifactor authentication.
• Residency Flexibility - Law clerks are exempt from New Jersey’s residency law during their court term, and those serving a second clerkship in a higher court remain exempt.
• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) - Full-time state employees with 10+ years of service can apply for federal student loan forgiveness.
• Health Benefits - Eligible for comprehensive coverage for you and your eligible dependents through the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP).
• Paid Time Off - Earn up to 15 personal and 15 sick days.

Competitive Salaries for the  Court Term

Salariesare based on a 52-week court term in addition to a one-week or two-week overlap as noted below, which will be paid at a separate weekly rate. The salaries above are for the  Court Term. The salaries for the  Court Term are to be determined based on funding availability.

Court Term Dates

• Supreme Court and Superior Court Appellate Division:
  August 24, 2026 – August 27, 2027 (includes a one-week overlap).
• Superior Court Assignment Judge, Chancery Division, Law Division, and Tax Court:
  August 17, 2026 – August 27, 2027 (includes a two-week overlap).

Take the Leap Toward Your Legal Future and Apply

Applications open on June 9, 2025, via the New Jersey Courts online…