Second-year law students interested in applying for a one-year appointment as a law clerk to the North Dakota Supreme Court should submit the following as an attachment:
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A letter of application addressed to:
The Honorable Lisa Fair McEvers
Judicial Wing, 1st Floor
600 East Boulevard Avenue
Bismarck, ND 58505-0530
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An autobiographical sketch highlighting your achievement, life events relevant to your studies, or display an important aspect of your character.
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A curriculum vitae.
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Undergraduate transcript.
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L.S.A.T. score report.
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Law school application for admission.
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One official law school transcript to date of application.
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Three letters of recommendation, including at least one from a member of the law school faculty. If a faculty member is submitting a recommendation letter directly to the ND Court System, please upload a document stating such. Please have faculty email recommendation letters to [email protected].
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A writing sample that has been edited only by the applicant.
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Three references (list these in the Reference section of the application). It is acceptable to list the same individuals who provide letters of recommendation.
The current salary is $83,472 per year. Depending upon availability of funds and the possibility of legislative action for a pay increase between now and August 2027, that amount may change.
The Court requires an individual selected to serve as a law clerk to be legally authorized to work in the United States and expects the individual to successfully complete law school education, take a bar examination of the applicant's choice before beginning the clerkship, and commit to completing a full one-year term from August 1, 2027, to July 31, 2028. Candidates will be subject to a criminal background check.
Interviews will be scheduled for August 2026.
Title of Immediate Supervisor: Supreme Court Justice
Accountable for (Job Titles): None
FLSA Status: Exempt
The Law Clerk is responsible for providing assistance to the justices by providing legal research, preparing case summaries, and preparing legal memoranda. Works closely under the direction of the justice.
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Conducts legal research, analyzes legal issues, and examines applicable laws prior to court decisions.
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Reads briefs, prior opinions, transcripts, court records, and documents.
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Analyzes legal issues and arguments.
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Performs legal research for statutes, legal precedents, regulations, or legislative history on relevant issues pertaining to the cases(s).
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Writes legal memoranda and statement of issues involved, including suggestions and recommendations to the justice. Drafts proposed opinions as directed.
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Complies references on law and decisions necessary for legal determinations, shepardizes cases either manually or by computerized inquiry.
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Reads and digests briefs, petitions, motions, opinions, and extracts pertinent points of fact and law.
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Reviews, edits, refines, and proofs opinions.
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Attends hearings and/or trials where research may be required to assist the court.
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Performs research and/or assists in the compilation of information and data needed for special projects that may be requested by the justice.
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Performs other duties of a comparable level or type.
