20 tasks, each one witnessed by the sources that watched the job — and behind every one, a prompt you can use tonight.
You'll start by checking the judge's calendar and email (Microsoft Outlook) and the court case management system for deadlines. That means entering or updating hearings in systems like Aderant CompuLaw, American Legalnet Smart Dockets, or Advanced Technologies Class Act.
Most of the day is reading filings (Adobe Acrobat, Microsoft Word), doing legal research, drafting memoranda or orders, proofreading, and communicating with counsel or court staff by phone or email. You also file documents, compile case packets, and brief the judge before hearings.
Expect Microsoft Word and Adobe Acrobat for drafting and finalizing orders, opinions, and court filings. Use Microsoft Excel for simple case lists or exhibits and Microsoft Outlook for communication and scheduling.
Court-specific systems include Aderant CompuLaw, American Legalnet eDockets/eDockets Smart Dockets, and Advanced Technologies Class Act for docketing, filing, and case management. Learn PDF redaction, citation-checking tools, and how to enter data accurately into docket fields.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), 13,290 people were employed as law clerks in 2025. The median annual wage was $64,920; the lowest 10% earned $46,180 and the highest 10% earned $113,140, per BLS data.
Local pay varies widely by jurisdiction (federal vs. state vs. local courts), years of experience, and whether the position is term or career. Use the BLS numbers to get the national picture but check court-specific postings for exact salaries.
Focus on strong writing and reading: practice summarizing long documents and proofreading for grammar and legal citation. Learn Microsoft Word, Adobe Acrobat, and basic Excel; courts expect clean, track-changed Word drafts and searchable PDFs.
Take classes in government, civics, or introductory law. Look for internships or volunteer roles in local courts or legal aid to observe court procedures, case management systems, and how clerks communicate with counsel.
They overlap but differ: a law clerk analyzes legal issues, drafts opinions and orders, and briefs judges on legal questions. Paralegals work for lawyers doing legal research, drafting, and case management for a law firm rather than advising a judge.
Judicial assistants handle scheduling, phone calls, and administrative tasks. Law clerks focus on legal analysis and writing for the judge and often work closely with the court's docketing systems (Aderant, Smart Dockets) and research tools.
You can use AI tools for brainstorming, outlining memoranda, or checking grammar, but never rely on them for legal conclusions. Always verify statutory language, citations, and case holdings using primary sources and court tools like Westlaw, Lexis, or the court's library.
Do not upload confidential court files or sealed documents into public AI services. Use AI as a first draft helper, then proofread, check citations, and confirm every legal fact before giving anything to the judge.
Reading speed with comprehension, precise legal writing, and careful proofreading are essential: you'll draft orders and verify citations daily. Accuracy entering data into docket systems (Aderant CompuLaw, eDockets) matters because mistakes change hearing dates or filings.
Communication skills for talking with counsel and court staff, and basic tech skills (Word, Acrobat, Outlook, Excel) are also crucial. Attention to deadlines and understanding court procedures will keep cases moving and protect the judge from missed dates.