Judicial Law Clerks

What the job really is

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

At a glance

• Sector: Legal
• O*NET-SOC code: 23-1012
• O*NET job zone: 5 — extensive preparation
• Work sample tasks on file: 12
• Tools and technologies listed: 12

What you actually do

Work sample tasks recorded for this occupation:

• Prepare briefs, legal memoranda, or statements of issues involved in cases, including appropriate suggestions or recommendations.
• Research laws, court decisions, documents, opinions, briefs, or other information related to cases before the court.
• Draft or proofread judicial opinions, decisions, or citations.
• 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.
• Keep abreast of changes in the law and inform judges when cases are affected by such changes.
• Attend court sessions to hear oral arguments or record necessary case information.
• Review dockets of pending litigation to ensure adequate progress.
• Communicate with counsel regarding case management or procedural requirements.
• Respond to questions from judicial officers or court staff on general legal issues.
• 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.

Tools and technology

Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office software, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft PowerPoint, Microsoft Windows, Microsoft Word, Thomson Reuters Westlaw, Aderant CompuLaw, Advanced Technologies Class Act, American Legalnet Smart Dockets

What employers expect you to already be comfortable with.

Where this job leads

Related occupations — the usual moves up and sideways:

• Lawyers
• Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates
• Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers
• Paralegals and Legal Assistants
• Legal Secretaries and Administrative Assistants
• Court Reporters and Simultaneous Captioners
• Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators
• Equal Opportunity Representatives and Officers

Getting in

O*NET assigns this occupation job zone 5 (extensive preparation). The related occupations above are the realistic routes in and out.

Find openings

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Check this against the source

O*NET OnLine: Judicial Law Clerks — the authoritative public-domain profile this page is derived from, including the full task list, reported skills and the wage estimates for your region.

Derived and rewritten from the public-domain O*NET database (U.S. Department of Labor / Employment and Training Administration). Figures are observations, not promises — always confirm salary, licensing and visa requirements with the employer and the relevant authority.