Law Clerk ; Atlantic​/Cape

This position is only open to candidates who have received an offer of employment for the 2027 - 2028 Court Term in Superior Court for Vicinage 1 Atlantic/Cape May Counties. Candidates should be aware travel within the bi-county Vicinage may be required and the position may be reassigned to another county within the Vicinage.

August 16, 2027, through August 25, 2028.

• Supreme Court $82,634.00
• Supreme Court Appellate Division $75,442.00
• Superior Court Assignment Judge $69,168.00
• Superior Court Chancery Division (General Equity) $69,168.00
• Superior Court Law Division (Civil and Criminal) $63,706.00
• Superior Court Chancery Division (Family) $63,706.00
• Tax Court $63,706.00

Start your legal career in a court system recognized as one of the best in the nation and enhance your future career prospects. Professional law clerk positions are available in the New Jersey Judiciary for individuals with strong communication and analytical skills. Law clerks for assignment judges learn all aspects of court administration and assist with processing emergent motions. Trial court law clerks gain practical experience while gaining valuable insight into the judicial process.

Under the direction of one or more judges over the course of the year, trial court law clerks observe judicial proceedings, attend conferences with attorneys and judges, receive training in mediation and mediate small claims cases and summarize information for judges. As of May 26, 2026, applicants may apply directly to justices or judges through the Judiciary's web-based portal. Applications will not be accepted before that date.

Applicants will be contacted directly by the justices or judges for interviews on or after June 8, 2026.

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.

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 a official, 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.

• Hybrid Work Schedule
  - Enjoy up to four remote workdays per month; to participate in this program, you will be required to have high-speed internet access and install a multifactor authentication application on your phone or tablet.
• 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.

• Supreme Court and Superior Court Appellate Divisions:
  August 23, 2027 - August 25, 2028 (includes a one-week overlap).
• Superior Court Assignment Judge, Chancery Division, Law Division and Tax Court:
  August 16, 2027 - August 25, 2028 (includes a two-week overlap).
  
  Note:
  
  Law clerks may hold outside employment with prior approval as provided in the Code of Conduct for Judiciary Employees. The Code is available online at…