To work as a law clerk, you typically need to:

• have a high school diploma or equivalent;
• have a bachelor's degree;
• have completed at least your first year of law school; and
• apply and be selected.

There are three types of appointments for law clerks:

• Temporary. This is like an internship and is usually for law students. The appointment is for one year or less. Students usually do these appointments during the summer when law school is not in session.
• Term. This appointment is for law students or graduates. The appointment usually is for one or two years.
• Career. This appointment is usually for law school graduates. The appointment usually is for four years or more. These clerks usually work for judges.

Education after high school

Most law clerks have a law degree or are working toward one. Many colleges and universities offer professional degrees in law. To apply to law school, you must have completed a bachelor's degree. However, a few law schools accept students who have completed only three years of college.

Together, college and law school usually take seven years of full-time study. This includes four years of undergraduate study followed by three years of law school. Law school graduates receive a juris doctor (JD) degree.

Your bachelor's degree does not have to be in a specific area for you to apply to law school. You should consider a rigorous course of study, including the sciences.

Work experience

Individual judges and law firms set the requirements for their law clerks. Requirements vary by the type of appointment. In general, judges or law firms require legal or other kinds of work experience and a license to practice law.

On-the-job training

For law students, clerkships are a way to learn by doing. You work with experienced lawyers as you perform legal research, draft contracts, and examine documents. You also observe legal proceedings. Some clerkships offer limited, classroom-based training that lasts a few months.