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Job outlook for legal clerks in the United States
Legal clerk job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected legal clerk job growth rate is 14% from 2018-2028.
About 49,900 new jobs for legal clerks are projected over the next decade.
Legal clerk salaries have increased 7% for legal clerks in the last 5 years.
There are over 164,816 legal clerks currently employed in the United States.
There are 74,069 active legal clerk job openings in the US.
The average legal clerk salary is $35,152.
Are legal clerk jobs in demand?
Legal clerk job and salary trends over time
Legal clerk jobs over time
Legal clerk job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 164,816 | 0.05% |
| 2020 | 163,185 | 0.05% |
| 2019 | 161,868 | 0.05% |
| 2018 | 152,170 | 0.05% |
| 2017 | 142,658 | 0.04% |
Average legal clerk salary over time
Legal clerk salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $35,152 | $16.90 | +2.3% |
| 2024 | $34,368 | $16.52 | +1.6% |
| 2023 | $33,837 | $16.27 | +1.1% |
| 2022 | $33,485 | $16.10 | +1.8% |
| 2021 | $32,880 | $15.81 | +1.4% |
Legal clerk jobs by state
Most common states for legal clerks
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 229 | 33% |
| 2 | Kansas | 2,913,123 | 482 | 17% |
| 3 | South Dakota | 869,666 | 137 | 16% |
| 4 | Alaska | 739,795 | 120 | 16% |
| 5 | Washington | 7,405,743 | 1,102 | 15% |
| 6 | Minnesota | 5,576,606 | 858 | 15% |
| 7 | Delaware | 961,939 | 143 | 15% |
| 8 | Connecticut | 3,588,184 | 488 | 14% |
| 9 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 442 | 14% |
| 10 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 276 | 14% |
| 11 | Vermont | 623,657 | 87 | 14% |
| 12 | California | 39,536,653 | 5,004 | 13% |
| 13 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 921 | 13% |
| 14 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 861 | 13% |
| 15 | Missouri | 6,113,532 | 790 | 13% |
| 16 | Wisconsin | 5,795,483 | 764 | 13% |
| 17 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 743 | 13% |
| 18 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 73 | 13% |
| 19 | Tennessee | 6,715,984 | 812 | 12% |
| 20 | Idaho | 1,716,943 | 204 | 12% |
Most common cities for legal clerks
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Andover | 1 | 3% | $36,908 |
| 2 | Bethesda | 1 | 2% | $32,332 |
| 3 | Sarasota | 1 | 2% | $28,612 |
| 4 | Birmingham | 1 | 0% | $30,510 |
| 5 | San Antonio | 1 | 0% | $31,997 |
| 6 | San Diego | 1 | 0% | $38,306 |
| 7 | Washington | 1 | 0% | $41,623 |
Legal Clerk job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of legal clerk experts
University of Houston
Highline College
Berkeley College
Catholic University of America
Catholic University of America
Berkeley College
University of Hartford
The University of Illinois at Chicago
California University of Pennsylvania
University of Iowa
Drake University
University of Houston - Clear Lake
University of California - Davis
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Faulkner University
Ferris State University
New England Law | Boston
Texas Tech University
Southern Illinois University
What general advice would you give to a Legal Clerk?
Cathy Davis ACP: The U.S. Department of Labor lists the paralegal profession is a growing profession in the country. Employment of paralegals and legal assistants is projected to grow 4 percent from 2022 to 2032, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 38,000 openings for paralegals and legal assistants are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Many of those openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. A good paralegal should be able to take at least one-fourth of an attorney's workload everyday. This frees up the attorney to do other tasks for the client which is billed at a higher rate than the paralegal. With the attorney and paralegal both doing billable tasks each day, this increases the bottom line for the firm. In Alabama, there is a growing need for paralegals.
What Legal Clerk skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Cathy Davis ACP: A good paralegal will know what deadlines are coming up and be prepared with a to-do list of things he/she needs to take care of on any given day. In addition to that, they need to be flexible because an emergency may come up or a change of course may occur. A good paralegal will be able to easily switch course and adjust to any kinks in the schedule. For a litigation paralegal, a day may include intake of new cases, calendaring, interviewing clients and witnesses, case review, ordering accident reports, driving abstracts and subpoenaing medical records, review and summarizing of documents, drafting pleadings, discovery or motions. For a corporate paralegal, it may be researching documents, corporate searches, drafting corporate documents, meetings with clients and/or witnesses and attending meetings. A good paralegal is going to be an excellent researcher, detail-oriented and efficient with their time. For a newcomer to the field, being able to switch between tasks easily is a must. A desire to learn is also a must. In litigation, many cases may have similarities, but all cases have their own quirks which makes the law interesting. Knowing the basics of how cases are handled and proceed through court is a must. Being ethical is also crucial. While paralegals are not licensed, they are working under the supervision of an attorney and must understand the ethical rules that guide each attorney. For those changing jobs, do not be afraid to ask to take on new tasks that maybe the attorney hasn't handed over to paralegals in the past. If you want to go to court, ask to go. If you want to draft pleadings and discovery, ask to do so. Once the attorney feels comfortable with the work product, he will wonder why he wasn't letting paralegals draft these documents all along.
What will help Legal Clerks increase their earning potential?
Cathy Davis ACP: This might change between corporate or litigation, but a good paralegal will know what deadlines are coming up and be prepared with a to-do list of things he/she needs to take care of on any given day. In addition to that, they need to be flexible because an emergency may come up or a change of course may occur. A good paralegal will be able to easily switch course and adjust to any kinks in the schedule. For a litigation paralegal, a day may include intake of new cases, calendaring, interviewing clients and witnesses, case review, ordering accident reports, driving abstracts and subpoenaing medical records, review and summarizing of documents, drafting pleadings, discovery or motions. For a corporate paralegal, it may be researching documents, corporate searches, drafting corporate documents, meetings with clients and/or witnesses and attending meetings. A good paralegal is going to be an excellent researcher, detail-oriented and efficient with their time.
For a newcomer to the field, being able to switch between tasks easily is a must. A desire to learn is also a must. In litigation, many cases may have similarities, but all cases have their own quirks which makes the law interesting. Knowing the basics of how cases are handled and proceed through court is a must. Being ethical is also crucial. While paralegals are not licensed, they are working under the supervision of an attorney and must understand the ethical rules that guide each attorney.
For those changing jobs, do not be afraid to ask to take on new tasks that maybe the attorney hasn't handed over to paralegals in the past. If you want to go to court, ask to go. If you want to draft pleadings and discovery, ask to do so. Once the attorney feels comfortable with the work product, he will wonder why he wasn't letting paralegals draft these documents all along.
What skills stand out on Legal Clerk resumes?
Katherine Butler Brem: From the 30,000 foot view, the things that stand out on a new lawyer's resume are things that reflect work ethic and intellect. This is why lawyers, perhaps more than any other profession, are "credentials conscious." To an employer, GPA is important because it reflects both intellect and a good work ethic. Of course, where you go to law school is also important. But there are other things students can do to enhance these qualities of work ethic and intellect on their resumes. Journal work reflects a strong work ethic and is, typically, derivative of a student's GPA. Participating in moot court and mock trial also indicate strong work ethic and a student's willingness to think hard about difficult problems. Employers also appreciate things that reflect practical skills: judicial internships, summer clerkships, and other work experience, as well as clinic experience. Clinics offer a wealth of real-world experience. I always tell students that even if they don't intend to do work similar to the work they do in a clinic - immigration work, for example - the people skills they learn dealing with real-world clients are invaluable, and the knowledge they take away will be useful for a lifetime.
And if students have any unique characteristic that sets them apart from the average law student, definitely include that on your resume. If you were a fishing guide in the summers, for example, or a zip line instructor at a summer camp, include it. Our career counselors usually advise against including this sort of non-legal experience but, when I was in practice and interviewing law students, it was the first thing my colleagues and I looked for. A lot of resumes look more or less the same - making your resume memorable may move your resume to the top of a pile. On two occasions, students have told me this advice was very helpful. One was a ballerina for a professional company in Poland before emigrating to the United States and attending college and then law school. The other had an FFA scholarship in college that required her to castrate hogs as part of a work-study experience. Each told me they left these experiences on their resumes against Career Development's advice, yet it was all anyone ever asked about during interviews. And, interestingly, both were offered employment at firms that typically looked for students with better traditional qualifications.
What soft skills should all Legal Clerks possess?
Katherine Butler Brem: Whether trial or transactional, a lawyer's ability to spot issues and think critically about those issues is crucial to success. The world moves fast, and I think that has encouraged all of us to look for the "quick" answer. We're conditioned to think if we need to know something, we can just look it up. But the law doesn't work that way. First, lawyers have to have a sufficient knowledge base to spot not just the obvious issues but those that are not so obvious. And then the lawyer has to be willing to spend the time and intellectual capital to think hard about the issues, do some research, and then think even harder about them. In a world where "action" represents the typical coin of the realm, it can be difficult for lawyers to exercise the discipline required to slow down and think before they act. But those who do develop a reputation as excellent strategists, and this is a very marketable skill.
What skills stand out on Legal Clerk resumes?
Che Dawson J.D.: The most important is technology and writing skills, in that order.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Legal Clerks?
Che Dawson J.D.: Technology/computer skills, legal research skills, attention to detail, and writing skills.
What skills will help Legal Clerks earn the most?
Che Dawson J.D.: Technology! Most attorneys aren't outstanding with technology. They really value assistants who are!
Richard Olivieri
Professor, Legal StudiesBerkeley College
School of Professional St
What skills stand out on Legal Clerk resumes?
Richard Olivieri: Over the past decade, legal specialists have assumed a combination of responsibilities historically handled by legal secretaries, paralegals, office managers, and, in some law firms, the accounting and billing departments. As a result, when a law firm partner or hiring committee reviews resumes of prospective legal specialists, they typically focus on the experience and education backgrounds of candidates to ensure that they possess excellent communication and critical thinking skills. Legal specialists should also be proficient in legal technology. In addition to having knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel, Adobe Acrobat, and Clio. Legal specialists should be familiar with time tracking and billing software (e.g., TimeSlips).
What soft skills should all Legal Clerks possess?
Richard Olivieri: As in most professions, legal specialists must possess soft skills. Soft skills such as being a team player, the ability to multitask, and the capability of interacting on a personal level with staff and clients are expected. Furthermore, since lawyers and clients typically serve as a buffer, legal specialists must exhibit empathy and patience when communicating with clients.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Legal Clerks?
Richard Olivieri: Hard skills are essential to working in a legal environment. Proficiency in legal technology such as how to eFile documents with state and federal courts, experience with the drafting of pleadings and discovery documents, and the ability to conduct legal research via free resources available on the internet, as well as subscription databases (e.g., Westlaw Edge and Lexis+), is important. There has also been an increased demand for legal specialists with knowledge of eDiscovery platforms, such as Relativity and Capterra. As evidenced by legal employers increasingly requesting that candidates produce a writing sample along with their resume, it is clear that legal specialists must have excellent writing skills.
What skills will help Legal Clerks earn the most?
Richard Olivieri: Proficiency in technology and excellent writing skills are the two skills that will likely result in higher earnings for legal specialists.
Chad Smith
Director of Legal ProgramsCatholic University of America
Legal Research And Advanced Professional Studies
What skills stand out on Legal Clerk resumes?
Chad Smith: Skills that stand out are those that point directly to a professor's ability to teach, present, and explain. Multifaceted. Personable. Memorable. So, I generally look for public speaking experience, trial experience, excellent communication, writing, and legal research skills.
What soft skills should all Legal Clerks possess?
Chad Smith: Soft skills are those intangibles that every great professor has- a dynamic presenter that commands the attention and interest of their class/audience. These are the professors that intuitively know how to communicate lessons and convey meaning. Strong reasoning, problem-solving, critical thinking, and flexibility. Last, is leadership as every great professor needs to lead their class and be comfortable being the center of attention.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Legal Clerks?
Chad Smith: Most important would have to be strong computer and related technology skills. In today's world, more and more professors are having to rely on the use of technology and platforms such as Zoom, Blackboard, and Canvas for remote/online learning. Professors today need to be able to convey information in-person and online.
Chad Smith
Director of Legal ProgramsCatholic University of America
Legal Research And Advanced Professional Studies
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Legal Clerk job market given the pandemic?
Chad Smith: I would have to say the biggest trend is working from home, specifically, telecommuting. As we are all well aware, much of the country has turned to working from home, and this has led to a significant increase in the use of video conferencing platforms, such as Zoom and the greater use of Cloud Services (Google Drive, One Drive, etc.), to share documents. In turn, this is leveraging everyone's computer skills. It is more important than ever to be tech-savvy and possess the ability to troubleshoot technology issues.
The second biggest trend is an emphasis on communication. As mentioned, we are more digital than ever, so it is imperative that paralegals have good verbal and written communication skills. These skills need to be multifaceted and adaptable to the need/situation (i.e., email, legal pleading, client letter, Zoom/virtual meetings, etc.)
What skills stand out on Legal Clerk resumes?
Chad Smith: Paralegal's skills that stand out in the current market:
-Experience with technology, online platforms, and digital/online research (Westlaw, Lexis, Bloomberg Law)
-Telework/telecommuting, e-discovery and cloud computing/services, and document creation and formatting
-Communication/writing skills, specifically, the ability to understand the law and communicate legal matters effectively for court, layman clients, and attorneys
-The ability to write effective legal documents that are clear, concise, and complete
-Organization, efficiency, time management, and case management
I definitely emphasize the requirement of computer skills, as I personally would not hire any paralegal who is not very competent and comfortable working digitally. Additionally, case management and the ability to juggle many cases at a time is extremely important. It definitely stands out when a paralegal has experience managing a large caseload and can produce quality legal pleadings in a very efficient manner.
Are there any particularly good places in the United States for Legal Clerks to find work opportunities?
Chad Smith: Yes. The paralegal job market is growing. The DC/DMV area is in the top five of the country for salary and is the largest paralegal market in the U.S. This is because we have an increased demand for paralegals as we have private firms, federal, state, and local governments. Additionally, there is a major trend in the legal industry with private firms who are transitioning to having fewer attorneys and more paralegals; thus, increasing the demand for competent paralegals.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Legal Clerks?
Traci Dingle Ph.D.: The most essential hard or technical skills needed for Legal Specialists are computer skills. Learning or improving on these capabilities through formal training, certifications, or even free online courses is wise if you are unfamiliar with trending programs or suites. COVID-19 has shown how essential it is to have technological skills since traditional workspaces have shifted into working from your home space.
What skills stand out on Legal Clerk resumes?
Traci Dingle Ph.D.: Skills that stand out on a Legal Specialist's resume include legal research and writing, analytical and logical skills, and time management. Prior experience with legal research and writing tells your future employer that you know or are familiar with the research and writing process. Moreover, it would be helpful to be familiar with at least one legal database, like Westlaw or LexisNexis. Analytical and logical skills warrant that you may reasonably use critical thinking and reasoning to solve problems that may arise in your day-to-day operations. Lastly, demonstrated skills in time management imply you can multi-task, prioritize, and meet deadlines while producing quality work.
What soft skills should all Legal Clerks possess?
Traci Dingle Ph.D.: Important soft skills include emotional intelligence and attention to detail. Working in the legal field, you may interact with attorneys, clients, or the public during stressful times. Accordingly, it is crucial to have self-awareness to be able to understand and control your emotions. It is also essential to gauge the feelings of others to provide the needed resources to support them and to show empathy, as working through the legal process may be emotional for some. Lastly, it is vital to exercise attention to detail when drafting documents or when talking with clients, as errors or not remembering important information about the client may imply that you or the office does not care about the client. Remember, you are a representative of the office, and your actions also reflect back on your colleagues.
What soft skills should all Legal Clerks possess?
Regina Graziani: Soft skills can be referred to in generic groups: employability skills, interpersonal skills, transferable skills, and people skills. Some of these skills overlap with technical skills. The five most important soft skills for a successful legal professional are organization, communication (written and oral), the ability to multitask, continuously pay attention to detail, and the ability to work as part of a team. Of course, skills such as being professional, pleasant, and punctual are important, as well.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Legal Clerks?
Regina Graziani: Again, there is a long list of technical or hard skills important for a legal professional. Some depend on the practice area, but some are generic. Five of the most important hard skills that a successful paralegal should have are computer skills (ability to use software relevant to the practice area, word processing, eFiling, digital organization, document management, and digital conferencing, to name a few), research (online and print), communication (written and oral), critical thinking, and resourcefulness.
What skills will help Legal Clerks earn the most?
Regina Graziani: Much of this answer depends on the practice area. Knowing the technology, processes, and the ability to research the law in a particular area of law are extremely important. Also important are professionalism, the ability to work independently and anticipate what is needed, always seeking to learn more and streamline processes, and is conscientious about their work.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Legal Clerk job market given the pandemic?
Mark Wojcik: The economy is in a "K-shaped recovery." Some businesses and industries are in the upper part of that "K," and they're doing well. Other businesses and industries are in decline -- the lower part of that "K." Law firms that represent clients in the upper part of that K are succeeding. These client companies are expanding and have legal work for firms.
Law firms also did well when their clients were able to take advantage of pandemic relief funding. These clients were often larger companies that benefitted from that government support.
I recommend that students and new lawyers get involved in bar associations. You'll be able to network and learn about which firms are doing well. Be active in a visible way -- volunteer to speak at an upcoming meeting or write an article for the bar journal or a committee newsletter.
What soft skills should all Legal Clerks possess?
Mark Wojcik: New lawyers need to have good communication skills. Even in an age of Zoom meetings, new lawyers have to be able to pick up a phone and be comfortable having a phone conversation. Law firm partners tell me that their associates know how to text someone but they don't know how to call someone. If you're a law student or new lawyer and you recognize that you're uncomfortable making phone calls, pick up a phone and practice!
When lawyers do text or email, it's important to read that message before you hit send. You might be surprised, for example, to see that AutoCorrect changed the name of your client. Read that message before you click send. And if you can't read it, why should anyone else?
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Legal Clerk job market given the pandemic?
Brian Kohlhepp: I think that many folks have taken advantage of workplace flexibility and have sought additional education. This increased enrollment in Master's degree as well as post-graduate certificate programs.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Legal Clerks?
Brian Kohlhepp: Largely, this would be acquiring a Master's degree. Many folks obtain this degree for an advancement at their current employer or in order to make themselves a more attractive candidate to the overall job field.
How have salaries changed over time for Legal Clerks?
Brian Kohlhepp: Salaries have definitely increased especially for those with advanced degrees. We have seen a rise in need for those with advanced degrees in Legal Studies, Criminal Justice, and Homeland Security.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Legal Clerk job market given the pandemic?
Bram Elias: Yes, definitely. (What will the enduring impact be? Ah. I have pretty much no idea. I happily defer to the wisdom of Melissa in Career Services!)
What soft skills should all Legal Clerks possess?
Bram Elias: So much of legal work is research, analysis and writing - so any job that involves learning new things and synthesizing what you've learned into a written final product is helpful, especially if you have to get work done on tight deadlines. Journalism is great. Advocating on behalf of others is great. Policy advocacy, politics, non-profit work - all great. Doing something you care about. For folks who haven't had any exposure to lawyers in their life, it can be useful to have some time seeing what lawyers really do all day so you know what you're getting into - so working as a paralegal, an investigator for lawyers, a translator for lawyers, or for a court system - all great. Really, any job at all is great, as long as it's a job you care about and want to do well. And no job at all is fine too! The most important thing is knowing why you want to go to law school in the first place.
What will help Legal Clerks increase their earning potential?
Bram Elias: Building good professional networks always helps. The best way to do that is to make friends and be a good colleague to your fellow law students. The main reason to do that is because it is the decent and pleasant thing to do - but I guess it's nice to know that not being a jerk is a good career strategy, too.
What soft skills should all Legal Clerks possess?
Katie Atkinson Overberg: The pandemic has shown us how important it is to be a problem-solver, to be adaptable, and to be a team player. In addition, skills such as empathy, emotional intelligence, and resiliency will always add to a lawyer's talents.
What technical skills for a Legal Clerk stand out to employers?
Vanessa Johnson: Data and/or statistical analysis skills, accounting / financial management skills, and coding / programming skills are the technical skills that come to mind. Many people don't think of human resources are a quantitative function, but analytical and financial skills are foundational to all corporate functions. Additionally, because of the overall influence of technology in business, basic coding / programming skills are becoming increasingly important in all corporate functions. Finally, I don't know whether or not language skills fall into the "technical skills" category, but I have seen growth in the requirement of or preference for employees that are bilingual (English and Spanish).
How have salaries changed over time for Legal Clerks?
Vanessa Johnson: Generally, I think that human resources salaries mirror the broader market, varying based on location, industry, and specialization. The growth in pay is lower in industries that have been hit hard by the pandemic. However, I think the move to more remote work will result in increased demand for, and therefore the salaries of, compensation specialists. Companies will probably adjust their pay strategies and practices to respond to these changes.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Legal Clerk job market given the pandemic?
Kevin Johnson: The job market continues to be robust. Hiring by many employers was put off from August to January. Besides the timing change, the hiring market has the hiring of our students has been steady.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Legal Clerks?
Kevin Johnson: Sucess in courses, not curriculum selection, seems to be most important to most employers.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Legal Clerks?
Robert Birrenkott: I think there will be enduring impacts of the pandemic on recent law graduates entering the legal profession in 2021. The pandemic forced nearly every segment of the legal sector to adopt technological solutions at the exact same time. Whether it was courts allowing parties to appear by video platforms, law offices transitioning to work from home arrangements, or client meetings that used to take place in person now occurring virtually, the vast majority of the legal profession simultaneously made these adjustments.
As a result, I think the legal industry collectively has become more accepting of these platforms and realized that there can be increases in efficiency without adversely impacting the delivery of legal services. So, while I think these changes were forced by the pandemic, the legal profession will elect to retain them, and in that sense, the pandemic will create an enduring impact on recent graduates. These changes may afford more flexibility for recent graduates in terms of working from home, but if this is the case, it may also make it more difficult for recent graduates to build relationships with others within their organizations.
What's a day at work look like for a Legal Clerk?
Robert Birrenkott: I think the very nature of what it means to be "at work" is currently up for consideration. Before the pandemic, there would have been a very clear understanding of what this meant. Now, this is more open for debate. Lawyers have realized that their work can be done in a remote fashion in a manner that may reduce costs and increase productivity. I would not be surprised if a segment of recent graduates were "at work" despite not leaving their home.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Legal Clerks?
Bryan Morgan: The Class of 2021 has dealt with the coronavirus for an entire year and it has impacted their in-person classes, clinical training where students can assist clients and moot court and trial competition.
However, the Class of 2021 has adapted well with video capabilities provided by the law school for classes and simulated trial training as well as their individual use of Zoom, Skype and Facetime to conduct interviews for jobs. This ability to adapt could prove to be the best skill this graduating class will have in the new job market.
What soft skills should all Legal Clerks possess?
Bryan Morgan: As mentioned earlier, the Class of 2021 can adapt and are also resilient which should help them succeed in their legal careers.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Legal Clerk job market given the pandemic?
Nancy Hogan Ph.D.: Within the Criminal Justice system, the job market has been open despite the pandemic. Those with the master's degree or are working on their degree are being hired quicker than those with just a B.S. Case in point--one student just got hired last week at the Department of Health & Human Services.
What certifications/licenses/courses can have the biggest impact for Legal Clerks?
Nancy Hogan Ph.D.: In Michigan, to be a police officer you must have MCOLES certification and to be a correctional officer you need the MCOTC certification, which Ferris offers both for the undergraduate. We also have defensive tactics and firearms available for students as well. On the master's level, though, the degree itself works to 1) get on the ground floor of a desired job, 2) get federal employment, 3) prepare for law school, and 4) to apply to a Ph.D. program as well as 5) get promoted within the field. Thus, if an undergraduate has MCOLES certification and the master's degree, they get hired quicker than those who don't have the master's degree.
Peter Towne
Assistant Director of Career Services and Pro Bono CoordinatorNew England Law | Boston
Career Services Department
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Legal Clerk job market given the pandemic?
Peter Towne: The legal world has been fortunate in not being hit as hard by the pandemic as other sectors of the economy. As with others though, we've seen a big shift towards remote work and increased flexibility in the workplace location. Thankfully, even now with many courthouses shifting to remote hearings and appearances for the time being, the past year has proven that most legal work can be done in a remote capacity and so there are still jobs and opportunity to be had. A silver lining here as well is that anything that was litigation based and had significant slowdowns due to the initial shutdown, will still likely see consistent work increases moving forward due to the now mounting backlog in the court system that will keep litigators busy for years to come.
Also, we are likely to see other upward shifts in legal work similar to other economic down turns, as there tends to be an uptick in the kinds of legal work that helps sort out the challenges faced when things go poorly. In other words, any areas where there are widespread economic challenges, the fallout tends to create legal work. For example, we'll likely see increases in bankruptcy filings, mortgage/foreclosure related litigation, evictions/housing disputes, issues around unemployment benefits, and general consumer protection actions related to consumer debt and predatory lending practices. Interestingly, despite the challenges of the pandemic, another area that has seen consistent work is real estate, resulting from the positive impact of lower borrowing costs, and perhaps some urban flight. There also is likely to be a continued uptick in divorce filings and family law related disputes.
Long term there will inevitably be other unique or novel challenges that crop up that attorneys will be called in to assist with as a result of the current crisis. Some of these may be related to contract disputes in the entertainment industry or event planning, as well as possible changes in the insurance landscape relating to business interruption insurance, workers compensation coverage, or health insurance issues.
What technical skills for a Legal Clerk stand out to employers?
Peter Towne: In a typical law office or other legal setting, technical skills aren't the biggest priority as much of the work in the legal world was still highly analog prior to 2020. Overall, the expectations are set fairly low in this category for legal practitioners as a result, but there is a certain amount of basic skill that is assumed in using software for word processing, spreadsheets, and presentations. The past year has created some opportunity for those that are skilled in a virtual setting, i.e. using video conferencing or knowing how to file documents electronically, to stand out.
I would encourage any law student to take advantage of the various opportunities in law school to learn as much as they can about using legal research platforms, including certifications offered by Lexis and Westlaw. Though it can be difficult to predict what methods a legal employer will use for this part of the job, the skills are easily transferrable. In a similar way, familiarity with practice management, billing, or administrative software can be an advantage. It may not be a "need to have" for a candidate to get a great job, but certainly a "nice to have" that can help boost a candidates profile.
What's a good job out of college for Legal Clerks?
Peter Towne: Out of law school, a good job can look very different depending on each person's interests and aspirations. That being said, generally a good job is one in legal practice, i.e. requires bar passage a license to practice law, or a position that requires a level of skill or knowledge that having a juris doctor degree provides an advantage, such as in compliance, regulatory affairs, corporate governance, data privacy/security, HR, or risk management.
Will there be an enduring impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Legal Clerks?
Paula Smith: The answer to this is yes, but it will include both positive and negative impacts. I think the job market for law jobs remains a bit under previous years at this time. It may take more time for a robust rebound to the hiring levels of previous years. We are seeing constant, small steps toward recruiting both upcoming graduates and laterals. On the positive side, our upcoming graduates have proven themselves with resilience and agility to meet the challenges of remote learning and they maintain an expectation of success. I think the grit and determination of this group will be the enduring characteristics of the Class of 2021.
What's a good job out of college for Legal Clerks?
Paula Smith: The first professional legal job out of law school covers every area of law and every geography. Every legal job provides opportunity for growth and experience in the profession. Students choose law firms, government agencies, and public interest jobs according to their interest and passion. Some graduates work in civil litigation, others work in criminal prosecution or criminal defense. Some choose a more client-centered practice area including family law, personal injury, or legal aid services.
What technical skills for a Legal Clerk stand out to employers?
Paula Smith: Legal employers are seeking young lawyers with a good academic grasp of the law, excellent legal research and writing skills, advocacy abilities including negotiation, trial, and appellate exposure, and personal attributes of integrity, teamwork, diligence, resilience, and an expectation of success.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Legal Clerk job market given the pandemic?
Jennifer Brobst: Legal job growth often follows political conflict and calls for reform. In this respect, I think there will be an array of health law positions addressing the health insurance market, in both private practice and as counsel for insurance companies or for state and federal government agencies. We also continue to see the fallout from the 2008 economic crisis, where wages for all but the highest earners never seemed to recover, only to be exacerbated by the pandemic and resulting job losses.
This current administration will probably try to address this disparity by increasing government agency middle income positions in housing, employment, and education. Lawyers will be needed to fill those new agency positions and if grant funding increases to nonprofits, then starter positions in legal advocacy nonprofits will be interesting, but lower-paid jobs for new attorneys, particularly for the reform-minded Millennials and Gen Z cadre. The international global market is more important than ever and attorneys able to be mobile may find more opportunities in the larger firms and as corporate counsel if, and when, the pandemic shutdowns finally disappear. An interesting area of increasing need will be in the medical-legal and public health fields, where an Executive Order from President Biden has already put in place a new COVID-19 board to coordinate federal public health efforts and the creation of a national public health surveillance database. Privacy attorneys and those advocating for and against expansion of traditionally local public health law into a federal oversight approach will be needed. I also think that job opportunities will continue to grow for attorneys working for the online legal technology companies like LegalZoom, as cross-jurisdictional practice relaxes, as seen in some of the reform of the Rules of Professional Conduct and related ethics opinions.
Traditional job opportunities in small and medium-sized regional firms engaged, for example, in family law, small business law, and trusts and estates, may be fewer for awhile, as middle-class clients may not be able to afford legal services until their own employment situations recover. Positions in the criminal justice legal fields are more difficult to predict. Crime rates have been declining for decades, but movements against mass incarceration and racial injustice may support better resources for public defender offices that are cash-strapped and under-staffed.
What soft skills should all Legal Clerks possess?
Jennifer Brobst: Two soft skills come to mind immediately: kindness and self-restraint. I have noticed that this generation of new attorneys is less accustomed to taking conflict in stride. What I mean is that in a social media world, one can overreact without facing the other person or simply walk away without responding to a text or post that seems confrontational or disrespectful. In person, there is usually no way to walk away without making the situation worse, so we get better and better at figuring out how to respond with kindness, humor, and patience. That is an excellent skill to have with clients who naturally feel stressed, or with overworked or overzealous opposing counsel or judges.
As to self-restraint, many ethics violations occur among attorneys who feel overwhelmed by their workload. Law school is the best place to learn how to figure out how to manage one's time, and to learn self-restraint -- i.e., when to stop and move on to the next task. This quality of self-restraint will not only help to make sure that new attorneys are reliable on behalf of their clients, but that they are happy with their job for the long-haul. There will always be more clients, but an attorney who knows their limits, but still gets the job done, will be glad to be an attorney throughout their career.
What's a day at work look like for a Legal Clerk?
Jennifer Brobst: Recent graduates who are newly employed will be relieved to learn that there is always some leeway given to the new hire, at least for a little while. Even the harshest supervising attorneys will put together some form of onboarding. If they don't, and a recent graduate working as a deputy prosecuting attorney, for example, is sent to court without instruction, then it will show if they appear lost as to what to do. It's a little humiliating, but the best of attorneys have been through it. Recent graduates need to be willing to be professional and ask court clerks, opposing counsel, judges, and others in the profession basic questions when necessary.
On the other hand, new attorneys in large firms may find the onboarding process frustrating if it is very extensive, as they may want to jump in the deep end and have more responsibility more quickly. If the pandemic continues to impact whether attorneys must work from home, it may be a little lonely at first, working remotely at a new job. However, this will be temporary, and all new attorneys hopefully will remember to appreciate that they have successfully finished law school and passed the bar, a major accomplishment, in itself. During the pandemic, attorneys have been considered essential workers and there is a reason for that. They genuinely are of service to their communities, especially in times of crisis.