Judicial Law Clerk Career

Job Description: Assist judges in court or by conducting research or preparing legal documents.


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Judicial Law Clerk Career

What Judicial Law Clerks do:

  • Confer with judges concerning legal questions, construction of documents, or granting of orders.
  • Review complaints, petitions, motions, or pleadings that have been filed to determine issues involved or basis for relief.
  • Attend court sessions to hear oral arguments or record necessary case information.
  • Prepare briefs, legal memoranda, or statements of issues involved in cases, including appropriate suggestions or recommendations.
  • Keep abreast of changes in the law and inform judges when cases are affected by such changes.
  • Research laws, court decisions, documents, opinions, briefs, or other information related to cases before the court.
  • Respond to questions from judicial officers or court staff on general legal issues.
  • Draft or proofread judicial opinions, decisions, or citations.
  • Review dockets of pending litigation to ensure adequate progress.
  • Communicate with counsel regarding case management or procedural requirements.
  • Participate in conferences or discussions between trial attorneys and judges.
  • Prepare periodic reports on court proceedings, as required.
  • Coordinate judges' meeting and appointment schedules.
  • Enter information into computerized court calendar, filing, or case management systems.
  • Verify that all files, complaints, or other papers are available and in the proper order.
  • Perform courtroom duties, including calling calendars, administering oaths, and swearing in jury panels and witnesses.
  • Supervise law students, volunteers, or other personnel assigned to the court.
  • Maintain judges' law libraries by assembling or updating appropriate documents.
  • Compile court-related statistics.

What work activities are most important?

Importance Activities

Getting Information - Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

Analyzing Data or Information - Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates - Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

Processing Information - Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events - Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

Working with Computers - Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

Making Decisions and Solving Problems - Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others - Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards - Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work - Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge - Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships - Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

Thinking Creatively - Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

Documenting/Recording Information - Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Assisting and Caring for Others - Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

Providing Consultation and Advice to Others - Providing guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.

Holland Code Chart for a Judicial Law Clerk