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 that will begin on Wednesday, August 31, 2022, through Tuesday, August 29, 2023, have been filled. 

The Supreme Judicial Court will have fourteen openings for law clerks in the 2022-2023 court year.

• Second-year law students are eligible to apply as soon as their spring 2021 grades (or evaluations) are available. 
• Third-year students and 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. Candidates are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
• The salary is $78,591.58.

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

Each candidate must submit the following materials:

1. Cover letter;
2. Resume;
3. Writing sample not to exceed ten pages and 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, preferably from law school faculty (three letters may be submitted, but are not required). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, letters of recommendation may be submitted electronically by faculty or staff.
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. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, 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. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, recommenders are encouraged to submit electronic copies of letters to this email address. Recommenders also may submit letters by U.S. mail.