Law clerks research, write, and read legal arguments. They summarize information for lawyers or judges.

Law clerks research and analyze legal data to find support for cases. They research previous court rulings. They check facts of cases and make sure their arguments are valid. They may deliver subpoenas to witnesses to testify about certain facts. They may also take sworn statements from witnesses.

Law clerks prepare and organize the information they collect. They write a rough summary and argument for lawyers to read and review. They file pleadings with court clerks once the drafts are approved.

Some law clerks are completing internships before they become lawyers. They can do almost everything a lawyer does. There may be other duties that they cannot do depending on the state.

Law clerks who work in patent law firms may search to make sure that inventions have not been patented earlier.

Some clerks work in firms that do estate planning. They may inventory clients' property and hire appraisers to document its worth.

Clerk positions with judges are called judicial clerkships. Judicial clerks generally work with just one judge. They read legal arguments from lawyers on both sides of a case. They attend court proceedings, such as court trials or meetings with lawyers for both sides. They may direct meetings where parties are updated about where the case stands. They may arrange transportation and housing for important witnesses and jurors in some cases.

Judicial clerks may advise judges on court decisions. They may write a bench ruling once a judge has made a decision on a case. These are summaries of judges' thoughts and the legal evidence that led to their decision. They may work for a court that specializes in a particular topic, such as bankruptcy. They may also work for:

• State courts
• Federal courts
• Trial courts