Apply for a law clerk position in the Supreme Judicial Court

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court's mission is to promote the rule of law and foster public trust by leading an independent judiciary that assures every person equal access to the fair, timely and impartial resolution of disputes in courts managed with efficiency and professionalism.

All law clerk positions at the Supreme Judicial Court for the court term will begin on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, through Tuesday, August 24, 2027.

The Supreme Judicial Court has fourteen openings for law clerks in the 2026-2027 court year.

• Second and third-year students are eligible to apply as soon as the application period opens. If their official spring 2025 grades (or evaluations) are not yet available, applicants should attach an unofficial transcript to their application and provide an official version as soon as it becomes available.
• Law school graduates are eligible to apply anytime after the application period has opened.
• Applications are reviewed and offers are made on a rolling basis once the evaluation period opens. Candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
• The salary is $93,369.31.

The Supreme Judicial Court is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages all interested persons to apply.

Position requirements

• Outstanding academic achievement, writing, and analytical skills and legal research ability.
• Ability to work professionally, independently, and confidentially.
• Successful applicants must submit a final transcript indicating graduation from law school prior to beginning the clerkship. It is not necessary to sit for the Massachusetts Bar Exam. Law clerks must reside in Massachusetts for the duration of their clerkship, pursuant to St. 1978, c. 478, § 328.

Application requirements

The application period for the 2026-2027 court term opens on April 7, 2025. Candidate evaluation will begin on June 9, 2025, and continue until all positions are filled.

Each candidate must submit the following materials:

1. Cover letter;
2. Resume;
3. Writing sample not to exceed ten pages, accompanied by a cover page providing any necessary context for the sample and an attestation that the sample is entirely the applicant's own work, not edited by another; and
4. Completed Supreme Judicial Court Application for Law Clerk Employment application form (see downloads section below).

Applicants must also submit, or cause to be submitted:

1. Two letters of recommendation.
2. An official law school transcript. For students whose schools also provide written course evaluations or work evaluations, those evaluations should be provided as well. Applicants may submit an unofficial, student-issued transcript electronically with their other application materials, and arrange to have an official transcript sent as soon as that is possible.

It is helpful for non-faculty recommendations to state the applicant's law school in their letters. Schools that process transcript requests using an electronic drop box may submit information to sjclawclerkhiring@sjc.state.ma.us. Recommenders are encouraged to submit electronic copies of letters to this email address. Recommenders also may submit letters by U.S. mail.

Wherever signature is required, electronic signatures are permitted.