Propel Your Legal Career By Starting As Law Clerk
It’s a well documented fact that the legal field, particularly for attorneys, is a highly competitive arena where one has to work twice as hard to establish one’s name. Yet there is one certain way a young lawyer can make a name for himself, and that is to be a law clerk for two of the first years of his or her career.
For the record, a law clerk is actually a fully degreed lawyer, replete with passing the bar and having their J.D. They are usually also ranked the top of their academic class. They are charged to work with judges in shaping the direction of a trial very often assisting the judge in deciding what will be discussed in court, and then help the judge prepare and distribute any decisions.
It’s not an easy occupation to get. Besides having excellent grades in college, the aspiring law clerk also has to distinguish themselves in the legal world over several years. Only then should one see what position they can get. In fact, it’s not uncommon for the judge’s office to call the prospective candidate first and invite them to apply instead of it being the other way around. Also, one should anticipate a thorough screening before one ends up landing the job.
Obviously, the ultimate clerical position to land is with one of the nine justices on the Supreme Court, but as one can imagine the odds of that are extremely slim. On the other hand, there are also judges everywhere from the local through state Supreme Court level that needs a law clerk’s services. One should also consider what are considered specialty courts such as Drugs, Juvenile or Tax courts.
Those interested in pursuing a law clerk’s position should not only be looking towards the J.D., but also consider going to an on campus or online school that has strong curriculum in Criminal Justice. They could also use some courses that paralegal’s employ, particularly when it comes to doing research and writing reports. It should also be noted that many of these jobs are short term, but are certainly worth it.
The value of being a judge’s law clerk is quite simple; one knows the judicial system from the best place possible, from the inside. Many law firms love to have experienced law clerks on staff because they can easily take over the firm’s many of the administrative and research aspects of the law. They also are usually very quick on interpreting the implications of any new law that’s passed or older one that’s been changed just for starters.
It should be acknowledged those finding jobs as law clerks really aren’t in this job for the money. Besides being government jobs, much of what one earns is dependent on what level of court they wind up working for. Overall, the salary ranges from $40,000 to $55,000 at this time.
