Court of Appeals Law Clerk

Overview

The Minnesota Court of Appeals is hiring a temporary law clerk for up to six months in early 2026. A Court of Appeals clerkship is an opportunity to engage in public service while receiving training and experience that will distinguish law clerks from other applicants for practitioner positions throughout their career.

The Minnesota Court of Appeals reviews cases appealed from district courts and administrative agencies. Minnesota Court of Appeals law clerks participate in the judicial decision-making process by providing legal research and case analysis to the judges of the Court of Appeals. Through this challenging and intellectually stimulating work, law clerks develop their skills in legal research, reasoning, strategy, and writing; gain exposure to multiple substantive areas of law;

receive valuable training and mentoring from judges and staff attorneys; and have the opportunity to form friendships and career-long relationships.

The primary duties of a law clerk are to analyze and research cases pending before the court. This central staff law clerk position will focus on providing specialized legal research and analysis to assist the court in deciding appeals, petitions, and motions in a variety of legal subject areas. The central staff law clerk will perform other research and writing duties as assigned.

Graduation from an accredited law school is required to begin employment. Professional skills and academic record are both considered. Strong writing and research skills are essential. Significant legal writing experience, which may include experience on a law review or law journal, is preferred. Previous Court of Appeals clerkship experience is preferred.

The anticipated salary for this position will be at least $38.48 per hour or possibly more, depending on future legislative appropriations.

Position Logistics
:
This full-time position is classified as an Appellate Courts Staff Attorney and will work regular business hours, Monday-Friday. The court is located in the Minnesota Judicial Center on the state capitol complex in St. Paul, Minnesota. After an initial training period, this position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement with an opportunity for remote work as approved by the chief staff attorney and in coordination with staff attorney(s).

To Apply: You may apply via our online application system ourts.gov. Applications must be submitted by January 23, 2026, at 11:59pm. Interviews are anticipated to take place during the week of January 26 in person or remote at the Minnesota Judicial Center.

Complete the application thoroughly, including any supplemental questions. Please note that the application itself, including your responses to the supplemental questions, is submitted verbatim to the hiring team. You must attach a cover letter, resume, and legal writing sample to the online application. In addition, please arrange for your official transcript, with class rank, to be mailed or emailed directly to the address listed below.

Letters of recommendation are highly recommended and should also be mailed or emailed to the address listed below:

Minnesota Judicial Center
Human Resources Department, Rm. 120
25 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155

MNLaw Clerk Recruitingte .mn.us