From free speech at school to drug-testing student athletes and affirmative action, learn how Supreme Court decisions impact your rights at school and at home. 

Learn how the Supreme Court shapes your rights.

See what the different courts do in this super quick overview video of the U.S. court system.

See how the U.S. court system works.

Judicial Law Clerks

Assist judges in court or by conducting research or preparing legal documents.

First Interest High-Point

Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.

Conventional

Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Enterprising

Second Interest High-Point

Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.

Investigative

Artistic occupations frequently involve working with forms, designs and patterns. They often require self-expression and the work can be done without following a clear set of rules.

Artistic

Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.

Social

Third Interest High-Point

Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.

Realistic

GO to college and then law school. Grades are very important!

I work on different projects for roughly eight hours a day with an hour lunch break. Usually I work on any project that the client or boss needs help with. After passing the bar, I will be able to go to court and take cases.

Law Clerk

You should go to school, get an education, and you will do well.

I'm a high school dropout. I got pregnant when I was 15. Most of the people in my community, most of the people I knew, that's what happened.

Clerk

You will never be able to go to college because you don't have a social security number. 

Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed

Lawyers and Judicial Law Clerks

Legal Occupations

Lawyers, Judges, and Related Workers

Prepare briefs, legal memoranda, or statements of issues involved in cases, including appropriate suggestions or recommendations.

Research laws, court decisions, documents, opinions, briefs, or other information related to cases before the court.

Draft or proofread judicial opinions, decisions, or citations.

Confer with judges concerning legal questions, construction of documents, or granting of orders.

Review complaints, petitions, motions, or pleadings that have been filed to determine issues involved or basis for relief.

Keep abreast of changes in the law and inform judges when cases are affected by such changes.

Review dockets of pending litigation to ensure adequate progress.

Communicate with counsel regarding case management or procedural requirements.

Attend court sessions to hear oral arguments or record necessary case information.

Respond to questions from judicial officers or court staff on general legal issues.

Verify that all files, complaints, or other papers are available and in the proper order.

Enter information into computerized court calendar, filing, or case management systems.

Coordinate judges' meeting and appointment schedules.

Participate in conferences or discussions between trial attorneys and judges.

Prepare periodic reports on court proceedings, as required.

Supervise law students, volunteers, or other personnel assigned to the court.

Maintain judges' law libraries by assembling or updating appropriate documents.

Perform courtroom duties, including calling calendars, administering oaths, and swearing in jury panels and witnesses.

Judicial Law Clerks

Overview

Career

What Judicial Law Clerks Do

Other Job Titles Judicial Law Clerks May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Judicial Law Clerks

Overview

Career

What Judicial Law Clerks Do

Other Job Titles Judicial Law Clerks May Have

Tasks & Responsibilities May Include

Education

Level of Education Attained by Judicial Law Clerks

Majors Related to Career

Related Careers

Related Leaders