Law clerks work in the legal department of organizations where their primary job is to provide clerical and administrative support to the department. Starting off as a law clerk can be a good stepping stone for a career in law. This position provides individuals with valuable information that they can use to support the legal process that a lawyer works on.
The position of a law clerk is integral in the sense that they provide support that helps in the disposition of cases. One of the primary jobs of this professional is to perform research duties which help an attorney or a judge with trial preparation and decision making. They prepare documents, drafts, and other legal documents to aid the legal process along with overseeing the delivery of subpoenas and arranging traveling and lodging for witnesses.
An exciting part of a law clerk’s job is interviewing a witness or a client to obtain preliminary information. This duty alone makes it worthwhile for a law clerk to work in this position as the learning is immense. Law clerks are required to research to look for possibilities for a case or to look for precedents. This work is often tiring but fulfilling as there is a lot of information to be gained from it.
On the administrative side, law clerks take phone calls and provide information along with using computers to retrieve data and records. They are expected to answer emails, calculate charges for filing fees and to accept and record payments into an accounting system. They also balance daily transactions and cash drawers that are eventually forwarded to an accounting department.
Job Description for Law Clerk Resume
• Conducted legal and legislative research
• Prepared brief, well-written and easily understood analysis on legal matters
• Prepared legal memos and drafted legal correspondence
• Compiled references on laws and decisions required for legal determinations
• Conferred with the judge and court officials concerning legal questions, construction of documents and granting of orders
• Attended court sessions to attend to oral arguments and recorded essential case information
• Maintained records attendant to court proceedings
• Took court minutes
• Assisted in various court proceedings including arraignments, motions, hearings, pre-trial conferences, and trials
• Performed additional courtroom duties including calling the calendar