A Day In The Life Of A Law Clerk At The Federal Government
A typical workday for this law clerk involves a mix of courtroom observation, "taking copious notes" during hearings, and extensive legal research to draft orders for five simultaneous cases, primarily criminal. The process includes constant collaboration with colleagues and other judges, followed by meticulous writing, editing, and a waiting period for judicial review, creating a "never-ending process".
Legal Research, Legal Writing, Court Observation, Case Management, Collaboration
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Erica Roberts
Law Clerk
State Government District
University of California, Los Angeles. Graduated 2018
The University of Texas School of Law
Economics
Government & Public Sector, Law
Legal
Greek Life Member, LGBTQ
Video Highlights
1. A typical workday is 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with occasional court hearings.
2. The work involves managing multiple cases simultaneously, conducting legal research, drafting orders, and collaborating with other legal professionals.
3. The role includes reviewing evidence, writing and editing legal documents, and interacting with judges and other law clerks.
Transcript
What does a day in the life of a law clerk look like?
My day is pretty strictly eight to five. It's a federal government job, so the parking lot clears out around 4:55 PM, which is very unique for a law position.
It depends throughout the week. We'll sometimes have different hearings in the courtroom, and I'll sit there near the judge and take notes. If it's my case, I'm taking very copious notes. All the hearings are recorded, so I can go back and listen to them later.
Usually, I am working on five different orders and cases at a time, and I'm working on one or two at a time. I'm in charge of most criminal cases; it just kind of worked out that way, even though I want to practice civil law.
So, I spend the day reading different motions from the parties, researching the law constantly, and talking with either the other law clerk here or other law clerks, even other judges, about their opinions on certain types of issues and which way things should go. Then, I'm just drafting the orders.
I spend most of my day writing and editing, and re-listening to those hearings and going through the evidence. I'm kind of coming up with an order for the judge. Once I have a good first draft, I spend a bunch of time editing it and then I send it off to her to wait for her feedback, which could take a couple of weeks. But it's a never-ending process.