Closing Date: 3rd December, 2025

Description:

Expand your court experience or begin your legal career as a Law Clerk!

The Minnesota Judicial Branch, Legal Counsel Division of the State Court Administrator's Office (SCAO) is pleased to announce an opening for a part-time Law Clerk or Law Clerk 1 (student) Position. This position will work directly with a senior judge who is acting as a referee for attorney disciplinary hearings, performing professional legal research, preparing memoranda, opinions, and orders, and performing related administrative work.

What you will do:
The following are examples of major job duties expected of this position:

Review, study, research, and annotate laws, court decisions, documents, opinions, briefs, and related legal authorities.
Prepare briefs, legal memoranda, and statement of issues for cases before them.
Compile references on laws and decisions necessary for legal determinations.
Confer with the referee and/or court officials concerning legal questions, construction of documents and granting of orders.
Review contracts.
Conduct legal research.
Administrative duties or other legal projects as assigned.

Typical Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications:

A person seeking employment as a Law Clerk must meet the following qualification(s):
Graduation from an accredited law school at time of employment.
A person seeking employment for as a Law Clerk 1 (student) must meet the following qualification(s):
A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and current enrollment in and completion of at least one year of law school at an accredited law school.
Job duties will be the same as Law Clerk who has graduated from law school.

Knowledge, Skill, and Abilities:

Knowledge of laws, court rules, and sources of legal reference.
Knowledge of court practices and procedures.
Knowledge of legal terminology and concepts.
Ability to communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing, with a diverse group of people including attorneys and pro se parties.
Ability to research complex legal problems or questions and apply legal principles.
Ability to represent the court in a respectful manner.
Skill in the operation of a personal computer with word processing and legal research software.
Ability to professionally exhibit cultural sensitivity, patience, and understanding in the course of work duties.

Supplemental Information:
Salary:
The anticipated starting annual salary for this position is $65,876 (for 0-1 years of post-law school legal experience) up to $73,665, depending on experience, with a full future earning potential of $65,876 -$81,432 annually.

The anticipated starting annual full-time salary for a Law Clerk I position is between $52,764 - $55,520 ($25.27 - $26.59 per hour) with a full salary range of $52,764 - $58,276 annually ($25.27 - $27.91 per hour). This position is exempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act and is eligible for State of MN employee benefits.

Position Logistics:
This is a part-time position that is expected to work 20 hours per week and will be classified as a Law Clerk or Law Clerk 1, depending on qualifications of chosen applicant. Work will be performed in a hybrid environment, with on-site work performed at the Minnesota Judicial Center in downtown St. Paul, MN when required by the referee, typically during hearings, or as business needs dictate. As some work may be performed remotely, access to reliable internet connection is required.

To Apply: Complete and submit your online application with resume and cover letter attached by December 2nd, 2025, at 11:59pm. All employment offers are contingent upon satisfactory results of our background check processes.

About Us:
Why Work for Us?
Minnesota Judicial Branch employees consistently express pride in their public service and in the quality of programs and services provided to customers, as well as appreciation for the teamwork and collaboration that is promoted within the MJB. We celebrate and are committed to the principles of diversity and inclusion, and actively seek and value diversity in professional background and cultural characteristics. We are intentional and mindful about the organizational culture we are building, seeking broad-minded individuals with robust capabilities who value supporting one another's growth.

Employee Benefits:
The Minnesota Judicial Branch cares about and invests in you as an employee. Because of that, we offer affordable yet competitive benefits to support you and your family's wellbeing. Our comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees includes health and wellness benefits, enhanced fertility benefits, short- and long-term disability, pension, paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement, and more. Learn more at Employee Benefits - Careers at the Minnesota Judicial Branch Careers. Minnesota Judicial Branch employees may also be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. This federal program allows qualified individuals to have their loans forgiven after meeting certain requirements working in public service. You can learn more about this program from the Minnesota Office of Higher Education and the office of Federal Student Aid.

Equal Employment Opportunity:
It is the policy of the Minnesota Judicial Branch that all decisions regarding employment are made without discrimination on the basis of disability. Please let us know if you need a reasonable accommodation for a disability to participate in the employee selection process by contacting Human Resources at DeAnthony.McKinley@courts.state.mn.us. The Minnesota Judicial Branch is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the Minnesota Judicial Branch that all decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, promotions, and other terms and conditions of employment be made without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, disability, sexual orientation, or age. We value and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds.

Internal Applicants
If you are a current employee of the Minnesota Judicial Branch, please apply to open positions conveniently through your Oracle account by visiting Opportunity Marketplace - Browse Opportunities.