Minnesota Supreme Court Law Clerk for the 2024-25 Term

The Minnesota Supreme Court is the highest court of the State of Minnesota and consists of seven justices. It has discretionary review of cases from the Minnesota Court of Appeals. It has direct appellate jurisdiction over cases involving first-degree murder convictions, as well as cases from the Tax Court and Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals. It has original jurisdiction over attorney-discipline matters and certain election cases. The court sits at the Minnesota Judicial Center in St. Paul, Minnesota. Oral arguments are regularly scheduled during the first two weeks of every month from September through June.

The court will hire law clerks for one-year terms, which generally extend from approximately August 1 to July 31 of the following year.

Approximately 11 clerkships will be offered for the August 2024 through July 2025 term. With the exception of the Chief Justice, who has two law clerks, each justice has one law clerk and a law clerk that they “share” with another member of the court. The three “shared clerks” regularly work on cases with two of the justices throughout the year. Candidates apply to the court as a whole. Interviews take place with the entire court and justices select law clerks in order of seniority. Successful candidates accept a position with a particular justice or justices, but they also serve the court as a whole.

We are seeking individuals to help us ensure equal justice under the law, which is enabled by a diverse workforce. If you share this commitment, desire a meaningful career serving the public, and want the opportunity to make a difference for your community, consider starting your career with us.

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

During months when the court is in session, a law clerk is typically assigned one or two cases, and the clerk is expected to prepare a bench memorandum in the assigned case(s) that is distributed to the entire court in advance of oral argument. Law clerks will attend oral arguments in their assigned case(s) and, often, in other cases of interest or importance. Law clerks also serve as court marshals for hearings. After the case is heard and the justices determine how to resolve the case in conference, law clerks work closely with their justice on the preparation of an opinion. Law clerks also perform cite checks on the court’s opinions and orders throughout the year. Clerks may also be given additional assignments during the clerkship.

Typical 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 and scholastic proficiency are both considered. Strong writing and research skills are essential. Experience on a law review or law journal is preferred.

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

Employee Benefits
The Minnesota Judicial Branch cares about and invests in you as an employee. Because of that, we offer affordable yet competitive benefits to support you and your family’s wellbeing. Our comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees includes health and wellness benefits, enhanced fertility benefits, short- and long-term disability, pension, paid parental leave, tuition reimbursement, and more. The employee-paid premium for a full-time employee with single coverage is only $38.50/month for the Minnesota Advantage Health Plan and $13.50/month for the Dental Plan. Click here to learn more about the benefits we offer.

Minnesota Judicial Branch employees may also be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. This federal program allows qualified individuals to have their loans forgiven after meeting certain requirements working in public service. You can learn more about this program from the Minnesota Office of Higher Education and the Office of Federal Student Aid.

SALARY: The anticipated salary for the 2024 – 2025 term is $69,384.

TO APPLY: Apply online at http://www.mncourts.gov/ by attaching a cover letter, resume, and legal writing sample to the online application. Please arrange for your official transcript, with class rank, if available, to be mailed or e-mailed directly from your Registrar’s Office to the address listed below. Letters of recommendation are expected and should be sent or e-mailed directly to the address listed below. Please note that there is a series of supplemental questions in the application. Please complete thoroughly. Responses are submitted to 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, in which case each attachment, transcript, and recommendation letter will be made available to both courts. Applications must be submitted by 11:59pm on April 16, 2023. Interviews will take place June 22 and 23, 2023. In-person interviews are preferred, but Skype interviews will be available for candidates who are located at a distance and unable to travel to the Minnesota Judicial Center for their interview.

Minnesota Judicial Center
Human Resources Department, Rm. 120
25 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55155 MN
MNLawClerkRecruiting@courts.state.mn.us

Why Work for Us?
Minnesota Judicial Branch employees consistently express pride in their public service and in the quality of programs and services provided to customers, as well as appreciation for the teamwork and collaboration that is promoted within the MJB.

We celebrate and are committed to the principles of diversity and inclusion, and actively seek and value diversity in professional background and cultural characteristics. We are intentional and mindful about the organizational culture we are building, seeking broad-minded individuals with robust capabilities who value supporting one another’s growth.

It the policy of the Minnesota Judicial Branch that all decisions regarding employment are made without discrimination on the basis of disability. Please let us know if you need a reasonable accommodation for a disability to participate in the employee selection process by contacting HR, nicole.zappa@courts.state.mn.us.

The Minnesota Judicial Branch is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the Minnesota Judicial Branch that all decisions regarding recruitment, hiring, promotions, and other terms and conditions of employment be made without discrimination on the grounds of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, membership or activity in a local human rights commission, disability, sexual orientation, or age. We value and encourage applicants from diverse backgrounds.