Closing Date: 21st July, 2024
Description:
Minnesota Court of Appeals law clerks participate in the judicial decision-making process by providing legal research and case analysis to the judges of the Court of Appeals. Through this challenging and intellectually stimulating work, law clerks develop their skills in legal research, reasoning, strategy, and writing; gain exposure to multiple substantive areas of law; receive valuable training and mentoring from judges; and form friendships and career-long relationships with their fellow judicial law clerks. This one-year clerkship enables law clerks to engage in public service while receiving training and experience that will distinguish them from other applicants for practitioner positions.The Minnesota Court of Appeals reviews cases appealed from district courts and administrative agencies. It is anticipated that 20-30 Court of Appeals law clerk positions will be open for the term of August 2025 - August 2026, all located in the Minnesota Judicial Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. Each law clerk is hired by either one specific judge or a group of three judges.
Example of Duties:
The primary duties of a law clerk are to analyze and research cases on appeal. A law clerk's typical responsibilities include closely reviewing the record and transcripts from the district court, evaluating opposing briefs, supplementing the legal research submitted in the briefs, assisting the judge in accurately synthesizing the facts and the law through preparation of bench memoranda, assisting the judge in drafting opinions, and cite-checking opinions.
Typical Qualifications:
The minimum academic requirement for application is enrollment as a second-year law student; graduation from an accredited law school is required to begin employment. Professional skills and academic record are both considered. Strong writing and research skills are essential. Significant legal writing experience, which may include experience on a law review or law journal, is preferred. The judges of the court will select law clerks after reviewing applications and conducting interviews.