Supreme Court Law Clerk for the 2027-2028 Term

Minnesota Judicial Branch•St. Paul, MN

6d•$39•Onsite

About The Position

Law clerks on the Minnesota Supreme Court get to help the state’s highest court analyze some of the toughest and most interesting legal issues in our court system. Law clerks work together with the justices and court staff to ensure that everyone who comes before the court gets the fair and thorough hearing that they deserve. Supreme Court law clerks hone their legal research and writing skills while working as part of a team that includes some of Minnesota’s most experienced appellate lawyers and legal professionals. And they get to observe oral arguments by the state’s best advocates. They leave their clerkships with exceptional insight into the appellate process and effective advocacy. The Minnesota Supreme Court consists of seven justices. It exercises discretionary review of cases from the Minnesota Court of Appeals. It also has direct appellate jurisdiction over cases involving first-degree murder convictions, as well as cases from the Tax Court and Workers' Compensation Court of Appeals. The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction over attorney-discipline matters and certain election cases. The Supreme Court hears oral arguments at the Minnesota State Capitol and the Minnesota Judicial Center in St. Paul. Oral arguments are regularly scheduled during the first two weeks of every month from September through June. The court generally hires law clerks for one-year terms. Approximately eleven clerkships will be offered for the term starting in August 2027. Seven law clerks work with a single justice (“elbow clerks”), while three clerks work for two justices (“shared clerk”). The Chief Justice has two elbow clerks, and the six Associate Justices each have one elbow clerk and one shared clerk. Candidates apply to the court as a whole. Interviews take place with the entire court, and justices select law clerks in order of seniority. Successful candidates accept a position with a particular justice or justices, but they also serve the court as a whole. We are seeking law clerks to help us ensure equal justice under the law, which is enabled by a diverse workforce. If you share this commitment, desire a meaningful career serving the public, and want the opportunity to make a difference for your community, please consider working with us.

Requirements

Enrollment as a second-year law student.
Graduation from an accredited law school is required to begin employment.
Professional skills, academic proficiency, and life experience (including employment and other experience before, during, and after law school) are all considered.
Strong writing and research skills are essential, as is a desire to improve those skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience on a law review, law journal, moot court, law school clinic, or other similar skill-building extracurricular activity is helpful but not required.

Responsibilities

Prepare a bench memorandum for their assigned cases. A bench memorandum provides a summary of the facts, governing law, and parties’ arguments in the assigned case.
Attend oral arguments for their assigned cases and in other cases of interest or importance.
Serve as court marshals for hearings.
Work closely with their justice to draft an opinion.
Perform cite checks of the court’s opinions and orders throughout the year.
Assisting with the drafting of concurrences and dissents as they arise
Contributing to court-related activities
Traveling with the justices to court functions around the state.