Occupation AtlasJudicial Law Clerks

O*NET · 23-1012.00

Judicial Law Clerks

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

Also called Appellate Law Clerk · Attorney Law Clerk · Career Judicial Law Clerk · Career Law Clerk · Chancery Clerk · Court of Appeals Law Clerk · District Clerk · District Court Law Clerk
19 more

Family Law Associate · Federal Appellate Clerk · Federal Appellate Law Clerk · Federal Court of Appeals Law Clerk · Federal District Clerk · Federal District Law Clerk · Federal Judicial Law Clerk · Federal Law Clerk · Judicial Assistant · Judicial Clerk · Judicial Law Clerk · Law Associate · Law Clerk · Law Firm Consultant · Law Researcher · Legal Clerk · Pro Se Law Clerk · State Appellate Clerk · Term Law Clerk

Job Zone 5 — Extensive Preparation NeededHolland code CEI35 skills on file

Compare with another occupationCompare with News Analysts, Reporters, and Journalists

Job Zone

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4
  5. 5

Zone 5: Extensive Preparation Needed

Extensive preparation. Usually a graduate degree, with extensive skill, knowledge and experience — many of these occupations expect more than five years of experience.

Job Zone is O*NET's rating of how much education, experience and training an occupation typically needs — a property of the work, not of anyone doing it.

Occupational interest profile

CEIConventional · Enterprising · Investigative — the three strongest interests, in order

  • C Conventional5.10
  • E Enterprising4.51
  • I Investigative4.01
  • S Social3.38
  • A Artistic2.07
  • R Realistic1.60

RIASEC (Holland) interests on O*NET's 0–7 scale: what the work draws on, not what any individual prefers. Hover a row for what each dimension means.

Education and experience

The education level respondents say the job requires, and the most common answer for experience and training.

  • High School Diploma or the equivalent7%
  • Post-Secondary Certificate2%
  • Master's Degree2%
  • First Professional Degree17%
  • Doctoral Degree52%
  • Post-Doctoral Training20%
Related work experience
None (33%)
On-site or in-plant training
None (72%)
On-the-job training
Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month (62%)

Typically associated skills

All 35 O*NET skills, most important first. Importance (1–5) says how much a skill matters here; level (0–7) says how much of it the work calls for, with O*NET's example of a nearby level. Neither is a proficiency rating of a person.

  • Reading ComprehensionbasicImportance 4.5Level 4.9Level 4 looks like: Understand an email from management describing new personnel policies
  • Critical ThinkingbasicImportance 4.3Level 4.6Level 4 looks like: Evaluate customer complaints and determine appropriate responses
  • Active ListeningbasicImportance 4.3Level 4.3Level 4 looks like: Answer inquiries regarding credit references
  • WritingbasicImportance 4.1Level 4.4Level 4 looks like: Write an email to staff outlining new directives
  • SpeakingbasicImportance 4.0Level 4.3Level 4 looks like: Interview applicants to obtain personal and work history
  • Active LearningbasicImportance 3.8Level 4.1Level 4 looks like: Determine the impact of new menu changes on a restaurant's purchasing requirements
  • Complex Problem SolvingImportance 3.5Level 3.6Level 4 looks like: Redesign a floor layout to take advantage of new manufacturing techniques
  • Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 3.3Level 3.6Level 4 looks like: Evaluate a loan application for degree of risk
  • Time ManagementImportance 3.3Level 3.3Level 4 looks like: Allocate the time of subordinates to projects for the coming week
  • MonitoringbasicImportance 3.0Level 3.3Level 4 looks like: Monitor a meeting and revise the agenda to ensure important topics are discussed
  • Social PerceptivenessImportance 3.0Level 3.1Level 4 looks like: Be aware of how a coworker's promotion will affect a work group
  • CoordinationImportance 3.0Level 3.0Level 2 looks like: Schedule appointments for a medical clinic
Show the other 23

Tasks

10 core · 8 supplemental

What people in this occupation do, as O*NET records it, core tasks first by importance (1–5).

  1. Prepare briefs, legal memoranda, or statements of issues involved in cases, including appropriate suggestions or recommendations.Importance 4.9
  2. Draft or proofread judicial opinions, decisions, or citations.Importance 4.8
  3. Research laws, court decisions, documents, opinions, briefs, or other information related to cases before the court.Importance 4.8
  4. Confer with judges concerning legal questions, construction of documents, or granting of orders.Importance 4.6
  5. Review complaints, petitions, motions, or pleadings that have been filed to determine issues involved or basis for relief.Importance 4.6
  6. Keep abreast of changes in the law and inform judges when cases are affected by such changes.Importance 4.1
  7. Attend court sessions to hear oral arguments or record necessary case information.Importance 4.0
  8. Review dockets of pending litigation to ensure adequate progress.Importance 3.5
  9. Communicate with counsel regarding case management or procedural requirements.Importance 3.4
  10. Respond to questions from judicial officers or court staff on general legal issues.Importance 3.3
Show the other 8
  1. Enter information into computerized court calendar, filing, or case management systems.Importance 3.6
  2. Verify that all files, complaints, or other papers are available and in the proper order.Importance 3.5
  3. Coordinate judges' meeting and appointment schedules.Importance 3.1
  4. Participate in conferences or discussions between trial attorneys and judges.Importance 2.8
  5. Prepare periodic reports on court proceedings, as required.Importance 2.7
  6. Supervise law students, volunteers, or other personnel assigned to the court.Importance 2.6
  7. Maintain judges' law libraries by assembling or updating appropriate documents.Importance 2.3
  8. Perform courtroom duties, including calling calendars, administering oaths, and swearing in jury panels and witnesses.Importance 2.2

Knowledge

Bodies of knowledge the work draws on.

  • Law and GovernmentImportance 4.9Level 5.2Level 4 looks like: Prepare documents and title papers for the purchase of a new house
  • English LanguageImportance 4.5Level 5.1Level 4 looks like: Edit an article for a news website
  • AdministrativeImportance 3.5Level 3.6Level 4 looks like: Type 30 words per minute
  • Computers and ElectronicsImportance 2.9Level 3.3Level 4 looks like: Use a computer to format a document
  • Public Safety and SecurityImportance 2.7Level 2.0Level 1 looks like: Use a seatbelt
  • Administration and ManagementImportance 2.3Level 1.8Level 1 looks like: Approve a reimbursement request
  • Communications and MediaImportance 2.2Level 2.2Level 1 looks like: Write a thank you note
  • Customer and Personal ServiceImportance 2.0Level 1.9Level 1 looks like: Process a customer's dry-cleaning drop off
Show all 33
  • Economics and AccountingImportance 1.8Level 1.0Level 1 looks like: Answer billing questions from credit card customers
  • History and ArcheologyImportance 1.8Level 1.8Level 1 looks like: Take a class in US history
  • MathematicsImportance 1.7Level 1.2Level 1 looks like: Add two numbers
  • Philosophy and TheologyImportance 1.7Level 1.3Level 1 looks like: Watch a TV show on family values
  • GeographyImportance 1.5Level 1.0Level 1 looks like: Know the capital of the United States
  • Personnel and Human ResourcesImportance 1.5Level 1.1Level 1 looks like: Fill out a medical claim form
  • PsychologyImportance 1.5Level —
  • TelecommunicationsImportance 1.5Level 0.6Level 1 looks like: Send an email
  • Education and TrainingImportance 1.4Level 0.7Level 1 looks like: Show someone how to bowl
  • Foreign LanguageImportance 1.4Level 0.5Level 1 looks like: Say "please" and "thank you" in a foreign language
  • Sociology and AnthropologyImportance 1.4Level —
  • TransportationImportance 1.3Level 0.6Level 1 looks like: Ride a train to work
  • DesignImportance 1.2Level —
  • Medicine and DentistryImportance 1.2Level —
  • Therapy and CounselingImportance 1.2Level —
  • BiologyImportance 1.1Level —
  • Building and ConstructionImportance 1.1Level —
  • ChemistryImportance 1.1Level —
  • MechanicalImportance 1.1Level —
  • Sales and MarketingImportance 1.1Level —
  • Engineering and TechnologyImportance 1.0Level —
  • Fine ArtsImportance 1.0Level —
  • Food ProductionImportance 1.0Level —
  • PhysicsImportance 1.0Level —
  • Production and ProcessingImportance 1.0Level —

Abilities

Enduring capacities the work calls for.

  • Written ComprehensionImportance 4.5Level 4.9Level 4 looks like: Understand an apartment lease
  • Oral ComprehensionImportance 4.3Level 4.8Level 4 looks like: Understand a coach's oral instructions for a sport
  • Written ExpressionImportance 4.3Level 4.5Level 4 looks like: Write a job recommendation for a subordinate
  • Oral ExpressionImportance 4.1Level 4.4Level 4 looks like: Give instructions to a lost motorist
  • Inductive ReasoningImportance 3.9Level 4.0Level 4 looks like: Determine the prime suspect based on crime scene evidence
  • Near VisionImportance 3.9Level 4.3Level 5 looks like: Read the fine print of a legal document
  • Speech ClarityImportance 3.9Level 3.9Level 4 looks like: Make stadium-wide announcements during a sporting event
  • Speech RecognitionImportance 3.9Level 3.9Level 4 looks like: Identify a former customer's voice over the phone
Show all 52
  • Deductive ReasoningImportance 3.8Level 4.0Level 5 looks like: Decide what factors to consider in selecting stocks
  • Information OrderingImportance 3.8Level 3.6Level 2 looks like: Follow the correct steps to make change
  • Problem SensitivityImportance 3.8Level 3.8Level 4 looks like: Notice from a subtle difference in a client's mood that something is bothering them
  • Category FlexibilityImportance 3.5Level 3.5Level 3 looks like: Classify flowers according to size, color, and smell
  • Fluency of IdeasImportance 3.0Level 3.0Level 2 looks like: Name four different uses for a screwdriver
  • Selective AttentionImportance 3.0Level 2.9Level 2 looks like: Answer a business call with coworkers talking nearby
  • Far VisionImportance 2.9Level 2.9Level 2 looks like: Read a roadside billboard
  • Flexibility of ClosureImportance 2.8Level 3.0Level 2 looks like: Detect that your phone is ringing while at a concert
  • OriginalityImportance 2.8Level 2.9Level 2 looks like: Use a credit card to open a locked door
  • MemorizationImportance 2.6Level 2.9
  • Mathematical ReasoningImportance 2.5Level 2.9
  • Number FacilityImportance 2.5Level 2.5Level 3 looks like: Calculate a discounted price
  • Perceptual SpeedImportance 2.5Level 2.4Level 2 looks like: Sort mail according to ZIP codes with no time pressure
  • Visual Color DiscriminationImportance 2.5Level 2.3Level 1 looks like: Separate laundry into colors and whites
  • Time SharingImportance 2.4Level 2.0Level 2 looks like: Listen to music while entering numbers into a spreadsheet
  • Speed of ClosureImportance 2.3Level 2.5Level 3 looks like: Recognize a song after hearing only the first few notes
  • Auditory AttentionImportance 2.0Level 1.6Level 2 looks like: Listen to a lecture while people nearby are talking
  • Finger DexterityImportance 1.9Level 1.5Level 2 looks like: Put coins in a parking meter
  • VisualizationImportance 1.9Level 1.9Level 2 looks like: Imagine how to place paper in a printer so that the letterhead comes out on top
  • Hearing SensitivityImportance 1.8Level 1.4Level 2 looks like: Notice a doorbell ringing
  • Wrist-Finger SpeedImportance 1.6Level 0.8
  • Trunk StrengthImportance 1.5Level 1.0Level 2 looks like: Sit up in an office chair
  • Manual DexterityImportance 1.4Level 0.4Level 1 looks like: Screw a light bulb into a light socket
  • Arm-Hand SteadinessImportance 1.3Level —
  • Control PrecisionImportance 1.3Level —
  • Dynamic StrengthImportance 1.3Level —
  • Depth PerceptionImportance 1.0Level —
  • Dynamic FlexibilityImportance 1.0Level —
  • Explosive StrengthImportance 1.0Level —
  • Extent FlexibilityImportance 1.0Level —
  • Glare SensitivityImportance 1.0Level —
  • Gross Body CoordinationImportance 1.0Level —
  • Gross Body EquilibriumImportance 1.0Level —
  • Multilimb CoordinationImportance 1.0Level —
  • Night VisionImportance 1.0Level —
  • Peripheral VisionImportance 1.0Level —
  • Rate ControlImportance 1.0Level —
  • Reaction TimeImportance 1.0Level —
  • Response OrientationImportance 1.0Level —
  • Sound LocalizationImportance 1.0Level —
  • Spatial OrientationImportance 1.0Level —
  • Speed of Limb MovementImportance 1.0Level —
  • StaminaImportance 1.0Level —
  • Static StrengthImportance 1.0Level —

Work activities

Kinds of activity the work is made of.

  • Getting InformationImportance 4.9Level 5.7
  • Analyzing Data or InformationImportance 4.6Level 5.1Level 4 looks like: Determine the interest cost to finance a new building
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesImportance 4.1Level 5.0Level 4 looks like: Report the results of a sales meeting to a supervisor
  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsImportance 4.0Level 4.9Level 4 looks like: Judge the suitability of food products for an event
  • Processing InformationImportance 4.0Level 5.2Level 4 looks like: Calculate the adjustments for insurance claims
  • Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsImportance 3.9Level 4.3Level 4 looks like: Select the location for a major retail store
  • Working with ComputersImportance 3.9Level 2.3Level 1 looks like: Enter employee information into a database
  • Interpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersImportance 3.8Level 4.2Level 4 looks like: Interpret how foreign tax laws apply to U.S. exports
Show all 41
  • Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsImportance 3.7Level 4.5Level 4 looks like: Evaluate a complicated insurance claim for compliance with policy terms
  • Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkImportance 3.6Level 4.2Level 4 looks like: Plan and adjust a personal to-do list according to changing demands
  • Updating and Using Relevant KnowledgeImportance 3.5Level 4.3Level 4 looks like: Keep current on changes in maintenance procedures for repairing sports cars
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsImportance 3.3Level 4.4Level 4 looks like: Maintain good working relationships with almost all coworkers and clients
  • Thinking CreativelyImportance 3.2Level 3.6Level 4 looks like: Adapt popular music for a high school marching band
  • Documenting/Recording InformationImportance 2.7Level 2.5Level 1 looks like: Record the weight of a patient during a routine health exam
  • Assisting and Caring for OthersImportance 2.6Level 2.0Level 1 looks like: Help a coworker complete an assignment
  • Providing Consultation and Advice to OthersImportance 2.4Level 2.3Level 1 looks like: Work in a position that requires little advising of others
  • Performing Administrative ActivitiesImportance 2.3Level 1.7Level 1 looks like: Complete routine paperwork
  • Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleImportance 2.2Level 2.6
  • Monitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsImportance 2.2Level 2.2Level 1 looks like: Check to see if baking bread is done
  • Developing Objectives and StrategiesImportance 2.1Level 1.9Level 1 looks like: Plan the holiday schedule for an airline workforce
  • Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersImportance 2.1Level 2.0Level 1 looks like: Apologize to a customer who complains about waiting too long
  • Communicating with People Outside the OrganizationImportance 2.0Level 1.5Level 1 looks like: Have little contact with people outside the organization
  • Performing for or Working Directly with the PublicImportance 2.0Level 2.1Level 1 looks like: Check tickets at a concert
  • Selling or Influencing OthersImportance 1.8Level 1.3Level 1 looks like: Convince a coworker to assist with an assignment
  • Controlling Machines and ProcessesImportance 1.7Level 0.6Level 1 looks like: Operate a cash register
  • Training and Teaching OthersImportance 1.6Level 0.6Level 1 looks like: Give coworkers brief instructions on a simple procedural change
  • Scheduling Work and ActivitiesImportance 1.5Level 1.1Level 1 looks like: Make appointments for patients using a predetermined schedule
  • Coaching and Developing OthersImportance 1.4Level 0.7Level 1 looks like: Show a coworker how to operate a piece of equipment
  • Coordinating the Work and Activities of OthersImportance 1.4Level 0.8Level 1 looks like: Exchange information during a shift change
  • Developing and Building TeamsImportance 1.4Level 0.6Level 1 looks like: Encourage two coworkers to stick with a tough assignment
  • Estimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationImportance 1.4Level 0.8Level 1 looks like: Estimate the size of household furniture to be shipped
  • Handling and Moving ObjectsImportance 1.3Level 0.6Level 1 looks like: Change settings on copy machines
  • Staffing Organizational UnitsImportance 1.3Level 0.5Level 1 looks like: Work in a position that has minimal staffing requirements
  • Guiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesImportance 1.2Level —
  • Repairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentImportance 1.2Level —
  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsImportance 1.1Level —
  • Monitoring and Controlling ResourcesImportance 1.1Level —
  • Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentImportance 1.1Level —
  • Drafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentImportance 1.0Level —
  • Performing General Physical ActivitiesImportance 1.0Level —
  • Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentImportance 1.0Level —

Work context

The conditions most characteristic of the work, on O*NET's 1–5 context scale.

  • E-Mail4.9
  • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate4.9
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled4.9
  • Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams4.6
  • Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results4.6
  • Spend Time Sitting4.5
  • Telephone Conversations4.4
  • Written Letters and Memos4.3
  • Contact With Others4.1
  • Time Pressure4.1

Technology

34 tools

Software used in this work. In demand: among the tools job postings for this occupation name most. Hot: often named in job postings across the economy.

In demand (4)

  • Microsoft Excelhot
  • Microsoft Office softwarehot
  • Microsoft Outlookhot
  • Thomson Reuters Westlaw

Hot (5; 3 more marked hot above)

  • Adobe Acrobat
  • Microsoft Access
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Windows
  • Microsoft Word
Other tools (25)
  • Aderant CompuLaw
  • Advanced Technologies Class Act
  • American Legalnet eDockets
  • American Legalnet Smart Dockets
  • Canyon Solutions Jcats
  • Compugov DocketView
  • Corel WordPerfect Office Suite
  • Infocom JACS
  • Justice Systems FullCourt Enterprise
  • Legal Files software
  • Levare Center Court
  • LexisNexis
  • LexisNexis CourtLink Strategic Profiles
  • LexisNexis Lexis Advance
  • LexisNexis SmartLinx
  • New Dawn Technologies JustWare Court
  • Oracle JavaServer Pages JSP
  • Orion Law Management Systems Orion
  • PTS Solutions WinJuris Court Solutions
  • Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER)
  • Syscon Court Clerk
  • Thomson Reuters Elite ProLaw
  • Thomson Reuters WestlawNext
  • Web browser software
  • WordPerfect

Related occupations

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ESCO equivalents

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This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. ESCO occupations and skills are from the European Commission's ESCO classification, and the occupation crosswalk is the official ESCO–O*NET mapping by the ESCO Secretariat with USDOL/ETA. This service uses the ESCO classification of the European Commission. BlissPoint Analytics has modified all or some of this information: skill, task and descriptor ratings are rounded to one decimal, and ESCO occupations show Job Zone and interests copied from a crosswalked O*NET occupation. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.