Law Clerk

Although it’s a low-level position in the legal world, the job of a Law Clerk is a pivotal one if you hope to progress through the ranks. You generally obtain this position while still in law school or just following graduation. As a Law Clerk (sometimes also referred to as a Judicial Clerk), you work as an assistant to a Litigation Lawyer or a Judge.

You spend a huge chunk of your day with a desk full of books, researching laws and prior legal cases. By making phone calls and reviewing documents, you verify important and mundane details of the case. The job may be tedious, but the information you gather is crucial as a Law Clerk.

In addition to research, you complete a range of tasks that the Lawyer or Judge assigns you. You prepare an array of documents such as petitions, claims, and complaints. After drafting and receiving approval for these documents, you make sure they’re properly delivered and filed with the court.

You’re often charged with delivering subpoenas to witnesses. Additionally, you interview witnesses and jurors. If either are from out of town, you set up transportation and lodging options for them for the duration of the trial.

This position is considered a rite of passage within the industry. You’re a gopher for those who have more experience under their belt. This is a short-term position, often lasting only six months. During that time, you learn lessons that you would never get from a textbook or classroom.