Clerkships

Consider applying for a clerkship at the Minnesota Judicial Branch.

As a law clerk of the Minnesota Judicial Branch, you will support either a District Court, the Court of Appeals, or the Supreme Court. Each of these courts offers many benefits for law school students and recent grads, preparing you for a successful long-term career in law.

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Types of Clerkships

The Minnesota Judicial Branch offers three types of clerkships: District Court, Court of Appeals, and the Supreme Court. Each offers unique clerkships.

Minnesota District Court Judicial Clerkships
MN District Court Clerkship Highlights	Work on a variety of topics and proceedings in a fast-paced trial court. Improve your writing and analytical skills by reviewing briefs, observing arguments, and writing orders and opinions. Help facilitate civil and criminal trials hand in hand with skilled trial judges.
Recruitment Timeline	Year-round
Job Location	Statewide. Some judges may offer hybrid or remote opportunities.
Term Length	Several months to many years, including career clerks
Number of Clerkships	350+
Current Salary Range	$65,876 - $81,432

District courts are Minnesota’s trial courts – where every case filed in Minnesota begins. District courts resolve criminal, family, civil, probate, juvenile delinquency, and juvenile protection matters in each of Minnesota’s 87 counties. There are over 300 judges and judicial officers across the state.

Minnesota Court of Appeals Judicial Clerkships
MN Court of Appeals Clerkship Highlights	Research, analyze, and draft bench memoranda and opinions for a high-volume appellate court. Hone your writing skills working closely with the judges. Observe oral arguments on a variety of topics.
Recruitment Timeline	Postings: Open end of January Application Deadline: Late-July Interviews: September (Some ad hoc openings year-round)
Job Location	Predominantly in-person at the Minnesota Judicial Center, occasionally remote.
Term Length	Most often one year, but some clerks stay longer
Number of Clerkships	44
Current Starting Salary	$75,000

The Court of Appeals reviews District Court decisions if one of the parties feels the case was decided improperly and files an appeal. The 19 Court of Appeals judges sit in three-judge panels to hear oral arguments in St. Paul and in cities across the state.

Minnesota Supreme Court Judicial Clerkships
MN Supreme Court Clerkship Highlights	Delve deeply into novel legal issues and improve your writing skills by working closely with your justice. Research, analyze, and draft bench memoranda and opinions for the state’s court of last resort. Observe oral arguments on a variety of topics.
Recruitment Timeline	Postings: Open end of January Application Deadline: Mid-April Interviews: June
Job Location	Predominantly in-person at the Minnesota Judicial Center, occasionally remote.
Term Length	1 year
Number of Clerkships	11
Current Salary	$80,889

The state’s highest court has seven justices who hear appeals as a group from cases decided by the Court of Appeals, the Workers’ Compensation Court of Appeals, and the Tax Court. The Supreme Court also automatically reviews all first-degree murder convictions and legislative election disputes.

More Information

When participating in a judicial clerkship, you will:

develop your skills in legal research, reasoning strategy and writing—putting into practice what you’ve learned in law school!
engage in challenging and intellectually stimulating work. You will be working in a dynamic environment that is ever evolving and makes an impact on the lives of people.
receive valuable training and mentoring from judges; connecting with judges and court employees on a day-to-day basis allows for great networking, training, and mentoring opportunities.
gain exposure to many substantive areas of the law.
be mentored by judges, justices, and court staff who are the best in the field.
hone your research, analysis, and writing skills by drafting memoranda, orders, and opinions.
observe and network with attorneys and court partners in a variety of practice areas.
access continuing education and career development opportunities.
become a well-rounded attorney who knows what it takes to make a successful legal argument.
serve the people of Minnesota by helping ensure the fair administration of justice.
improve your future career options.
enjoy generous benefits and a positive work culture.
Clerkships are a career launcher like no other!

For detailed information on health and wellness benefits provided to employees with the Minnesota Judicial Branch, visit the section “Employee Benefits”.

We offer two different types of clerkships: (1) clerkships for persons who have completed law school (posted as Law Clerk) and (2) clerkships for law students while they are in school (posted as Law Clerk I). Below are the minimum requirements that a candidate must have at the time the clerkship starts.

Law Clerk (clerking after completing law school)

Graduation from an accredited law school or equivalent.

Law Clerk I (clerking while a law student)

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and current enrollment in and completion of at least one year of law school training at an accredited law school.

Many clerkships—especially Law Clerk clerkships—are posted months in advance of their start date. In those instances, apply based on your eligibility on the anticipated start date. For example, if a Court of Appeals Law Clerk with a start date of June is posted in February, and you graduate in May, you are an eligible candidate because you will have graduated law school by the anticipated start date.

Interested in applying? When applying for a clerkship at the Minnesota Judicial Branch, you will be required to provide the following with your application:

law school transcripts
a brief writing sample
cover letter
resume
references or letters of recommendation (for some courts)

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Because some clerkships open up year-round, make sure to check back if you do not see a position you are interested in.

Hear From Previous Law Clerks

Former Judicial Clerk Kirk MacKinnon Morrow & Chief Justice Natalie Hudson

“As a clerk on the Minnesota Supreme Court, I have received invaluable mentorship and unparalleled insight into judicial decision making and effective advocacy. This experience has sharpened my legal research, writing, and analysis and prepared me well for my future legal career.”
Former Judicial Clerk Andrea Glover & Judge Keala Ede

“I love being a judicial clerk for the Minnesota Court of Appeals because I am developing my legal writing skills, preparing for future employment, and building connections with the bench. The judges provide mentorship, but more importantly they model the skills and civility I hope to embody in my future practice.”
Judicial Clerk Aretha Haynes & Judge Nicole Starr

“As a clerk, I see the best litigators in Minnesota representing their clients in complex motion practice and fascinating trials. Working as a law clerk is fun, fast-paced, and every moment is a learning experience. I look forward to using the skills that I have gained in District Court in my next career opportunity.”

Career Opportunities

Clerkships

Types of Clerkships

More Information

Hear From Previous Law Clerks

Former Judicial Clerk Kirk MacKinnon Morrow & Chief Justice Natalie Hudson

Former Judicial Clerk Andrea Glover & Judge Keala Ede

Judicial Clerk Aretha Haynes & Judge Nicole Starr

Need Help?

Get Legal Help

State Law Library

Career Opportunities

Clerkships

Types of Clerkships

Minnesota District Court Judicial Clerkships

Minnesota Court of Appeals Judicial Clerkships

Minnesota Supreme Court Judicial Clerkships

More Information

Benefits of a Clerkship

Clerkship Requirements

How to Apply

Hear From Previous Law Clerks

Former Judicial Clerk Kirk MacKinnon Morrow & Chief Justice Natalie Hudson

Former Judicial Clerk Andrea Glover & Judge Keala Ede

Judicial Clerk Aretha Haynes & Judge Nicole Starr

Need Help?

Get Legal Help

State Law Library