Law Clerking
The American Bar Association permits full-time law students to work 20 hours per week during the academic year after December 1 of their first semester of law school. Part-time law students may work full time during the academic year.
How to obtain part-time or summer jobs:
- On-Campus Interviews
- Job Postings
- Networking
- Self-initiated, targeted searches
Typical duties of a student law clerk:
- Researching and writing
- Reviewing public records
- Taking statements
- Assembling case files
- Editing citations
- Preparing exhibits
- Meeting with clients and attorneys
Large Firm vs. Small Firm
Summer associates with large firms generally obtain their jobs through on-campus interviews in the fall at the beginning of their second year in law school (or third year if a part-time student). The expectation is that if the student performs well, he/she will be offered a full-time position starting after graduation.
At a small or mid-size firm, students are more likely to work part-time during the school year in addition to during the summer. With a small to mid-size firm, law clerks obtain good "hands-on" experience, make contacts, and develop good references, but there may be less likelihood that the clerking job will turn into a full-time position after graduation.