Supreme Court Law Clerk for the 2027-2028 Term

DESCRIPTION

Law clerks on the Minnesota Supreme Court get to help the states 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 Minnesotas most experienced appellate lawyers and legal professionals. And they get to observe oral arguments by the states 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 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 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 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 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.

EXAMPLES OF JOB DUTIES

The following are examples of major job duties expected for this position to perform.

Each month a law clerk is typically assigned one or two cases and the clerk is expected to 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. Law clerks work with their justice as well as the Courts skilled staff as they draft their memorandum. The bench memorandum is ultimately distributed to the entire court in advance of oral argument.

Law clerks attend oral arguments for their assigned cases and in other cases of interest or clerks also serve as court marshals for hearings. The marshals set up the court room check in the attorneys review rules of decorum control the timers for oral argument and gavel at the start and end of the hearing. After the case is heard and the justices determine how to resolve the case in conference law clerks work closely with their justice to draft an opinion. Law clerks also perform cite checks of the courts opinions and orders throughout the year. Law clerks may also be given additional assignments during the clerkship including assisting with the drafting of concurrences and dissents as they arise contributing to court-related activities and traveling with the justices to court functions around the state.

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

SALARY: The anticipated salary for the 2027 -28 term will be at least $38.74/hour ($80889/year) or possibly more depending on future legislative appropriations.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION:

Position Logistics

This position is classified as a Supreme Court Law Clerk. Work will predominantly be performed at the Minnesota Judicial Center located in downtown Saint Paul Minnesota.

To Apply:

Applications to the Minnesota Supreme Court must be submitted by April 12th 2026at 11:59pm. In-personInterviews will take place on June 15th and June 16th 2026. In-person interviews are preferred but virtual interviews will be available for candidates who are located at a distance and unable to travel to the Minnesota Judicial Center for their interview.

All Applications will be carefully reviewed. Please take the time to submit a complete application including all sections such as work experience and education. A complete application must include the following documents:

• cover letter
• resume
• legal writing sample
• transcript with class rank if available
• 2-4 letters of recommendation.

Please ensure you have all the documents listed above at the time you apply. These documents will need to be uploaded to your electronic your school sends letters of recommendation directly to the Judicial Branch please have them send those letters to the email address below no later than the application deadline. If you dont have all the required documents at the time of submitting your application or before the application deadline please notify the email below and we will let you know what the next steps are.Please note that there is also a series of supplemental questions in the application most of which require answers. Complete the questions thoroughly and carefully as responses will be submitted to the justices verbatim. If you have any questions please submit them to the email address below.Because the application form is identical to the application form for the Minnesota Court of Appeals you may wish to submit applications to both courts at the same time.

Minnesota Judicial Center

Human Resources Department Rm. 120

25 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

St. Paul MN 55155