Guide to Becoming a Law Clerk: Steps, Skills, and Salary

The role of a law clerk is crucial in the legal profession, working closely with judges during court proceedings. This article provides a comprehensive guide to becoming a law clerk, including the educational and professional requirements, key skills, and typical salary ranges.

What is a Law Clerk?

A law clerk is a legal professional who works for judges in municipal, state, and federal court systems. They assist judges in drafting memoranda and opinions, conduct legal research, verify citations, and provide support during court hearings. Additionally, law clerks manage filing systems, prepare files for hearings, and assist with pro se issues in bankruptcy courts and prisoner cases.

Steps to Becoming a Law Clerk

Becoming a law clerk involves several steps, including obtaining an undergraduate degree, taking and passing the LSAT, earning a Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree, passing the bar examination, and gaining relevant legal experience.

Step 1: Obtain an Undergraduate Degree

Before enrolling in a law school, a prospective law student must earn an undergraduate degree. While there are no specific degree requirements, maintaining a high grade point average (GPA) is crucial. Law schools prefer strong academic performance, and certain courses such as political science, philosophy, and even specific pre-law courses can be beneficial.

Step 2: Take the LSAT and Apply to Law School

To gain admission to law school, prospective law students must take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). This test evaluates skills in reading comprehension, analytical reasoning, and logical reasoning through multiple-choice sections. Additionally, a written essay is included, though not graded, it supports applications.

Step 3: Earn a Juris Doctorate

Following admission to law school, students will earn a J.D. degree, a three-year program of full-time study. Coursework includes areas such as civil and criminal law, procedures, contract law, torts, legal writing, and research, constitutional law, ethics, and specialty law courses. Students are encouraged to choose courses that build skills in legal research, writing, and judgment.

Step 4: Pass the Bar Examination

Upon graduating from law school, law students must pass the bar examination to practice law in their respective state. Many prospective law clerks also pass the bar exam to satisfy the requirements for working as a judge's law clerk. In some cases, a judge may hire a graduate who has not yet passed the bar exam but agrees to do so within a reasonable time frame.

Step 5: Gain Professional Legal Experience

Most judges prefer law clerks with practical experience in legal procedures and research. Internships and law office work during the preparation for the bar exam can fulfill this requirement. Experienced clerks often mentor new clerks or advance their careers by joining or starting a private law firm.

Key Skills for Law Clerks

Successful law clerks possess strong organizational skills, the ability to coordinate and prioritize multiple projects, proficiency in word processing, online legal research skills, and knowledge of online case management and filing programs. Excellent communication and writing skills are also essential.

Earning Potential for Law Clerks

The median annual salary for all judicial law clerks in May 2018 was $53,540. Earnings may vary based on experience, geographic location, and the specific court system in which a law clerk works.

Conclusion

Becoming a law clerk requires dedication, hard work, and a strong educational foundation. By following the outlined steps and developing essential skills, prospective law clerks can successfully enter this rewarding field. This role not only helps in the progression of legal careers but also plays a critical part in supporting the judicial process.