Law clerk

In the United States, a law clerk is a person who assists a judge in researching issues before the court and in writing opinions. The hiring of law clerks is particularly prevalant among federal judges, and state appellate judges. Federal district judges traditionally have two law clerks, who are generally hired for a one-year term, but in some cases are hired for a two-year term. Judges on the United States Court of Appeals are allotted three clerks a piece each year. Associate Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States are entitled to hire four law clerks for each term of the court. The Chief Justice is allowed five law clerks. Interestingly, Chief Justice William Rehnquist never hired more than three clerks per term. Most applicants for clerkship to the Supreme Court have worked previously as clerks for judges on the federal courts of appeals.

Distinguished from court clerks

A law clerk is not to be confused with a court clerk, as the latter occupation is essentially that of a secretary for the court.

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