Law Clerk 2026 - 2027

Overview

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

New Jersey Courts offer judicial law clerkships for law school graduates to engage in significant work, develop critical skills, and build professional connections. There are over 400 clerkship positions annually across the Supreme, Appellate, Tax, and Superior Courts, providing a pathway to professional growth.

Why Choose a Judicial Clerkship with NJ Courts?

• Gain insight into the inner workings of New Jersey Courts and the judicial process by working with justices, judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, trial litigators, and court staff.
• Receive mentorship from assigned justices or judges who can provide career guidance.
• Collaborate daily with court employees, attorneys, self-represented litigants, and court personnel in a dynamic environment.
• Buildconnections that can lead to future opportunities after the clerkship.
• Enhance your legal skillset and receive mediation training, professional development, and CLE credits toward bar certification.
• Competitive salaries.
• Supreme Court Law Clerks – work on complex cases with justices.
• Appellate Division Law Clerks – conduct legal research, analyze data, prepare memoranda, process motion applications, and proofread opinions.
• Trial Court Law Clerks – observe proceedings, attend conferences, mediate small claims, and summarize information for judges; assignment judges assist with court administration and emergent motions.
• Tax Court Law Clerks – duties similar to Appellate and trial courts, with no mediation responsibilities.

Law clerks must have graduated from a law school approved by the American Bar Association by the time of appointment. The Judiciary's law clerkship program is intended for recent graduates (within the last four years). Selected candidates must provide an official, final law school transcript (not a photocopy) showing the date of graduation at the time of hire. Excellent writing and analytical skills are essential.

Other eligibility notes : Individuals who have served or are currently serving in a trial court or Tax Court clerkship may be eligible for an additional one-year clerkship in the Appellate Division or Supreme Court. It is helpful to have completed a mediation course prior to the start of the clerkship. All trial court law clerks who will serve as mediators must complete the Judiciary-sponsored 12-hour mediation training or an approved equivalent. Applicants selected for clerkships may request a waiver from attending the training if they can document an approved alternative dispute resolution course.

Benefits of Becoming a Judicial Law Clerk

Competitive Salaries for the 2025-2026 Court Term

The salaries are based on a 52-week court term with potential overlaps as noted. The listed salaries apply to the 2025-2026 Court Term; 2026-2027 salaries will be determined based on funding availability.

Court Term Dates

Take the Leap Toward Your Legal Future and Apply

Applications open on June 9, 2025, via the New Jersey Courts online application portal. Interviews begin on or after June 16, 2025. For more information about the New Jersey Courts Judicial Clerkship, visit the official NJ Courts careers page or inquire by email.

Questions? Email lawclerkfaq@njcourts.gov.

This clerkship is a gateway to a successful legal career. Apply to gain unparalleled experience, build lifelong connections, and contribute to public service.

Notes : Law clerks may hold outside employment with prior approval as provided in the Judiciary Code of Conduct. The Code is available online. Authorization to work in the United States is required; US citizenship is not required. Selected candidates must undergo a thorough background check, including fingerprinting, with confidential handling of all data.

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