Legal Clerk
Why Is a Legal Clerk a Job of Tomorrow?
With a bigger population, the majority of which does not understand the intricacies of law, the need for experienced lawyers is clear. Law is a convoluted subject, based on years of previous rulings, the Constitution, and politics. Lawyers will be needed well into the next decades to ensure that everyone receives equal representation in court for a fair trial. As a result of the boost in employment of lawyers, legal clerks will experience a similar rise in value, as more cases require more attention than a lawyer can afford to give to each individual case. Legal clerks will be needed to assist busy lawyers and keep the law firm operating efficiently. Employment opportunities for legal clerks are expected to remain steady well into the next decade, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Legal clerks make an average salary of $40,580 annually.
What Does a Legal Clerk Do?
Legal clerks assist lawyers and judges in researching and preparing legal documents. Unlike paralegals, who cannot take part in any actual legal acts, legal clerks may help lawyers or judges in court and consult with clients. Legal clerks are invaluable to law firms and court systems, as they often are specialized in particular types of cases, and therefore can offer sound advice to lawyers taking on such a case. For example, some legal clerks specialize in commercial litigation, and therefore are well-suited to work in courts that handle commercial litigation cases. Legal clerks are typically recent law school graduates in an entry-level law job, looking to gain professional working experience before advancing to become a lawyer.
What Kind of Training Do I Need to Become a Legal Clerk?
Legal clerks are typically prospective lawyers, or recent law school graduates looking to gain entry into the law field. A minimum of a bachelor’s degree is generally required for legal clerks, as well as graduation from an accredited law school. To gain entry into highly competitive law schools, prospective legal clerks must earn excellent grades during their undergraduate studies as well as successfully complete and pass the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). After completing law school, prospective legal clerks are eligible for a clerical position with a law firm.
