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CLERKSHIP OPPORTUNITIES at The New York State Court of Appeals

The Court of Appeals, New York State's highest Court, offers two different types of clerkship opportunities: law clerks to Judges of the Court or clerks with the Court's Central Legal Research Staff. Both Judges' and Central Staff clerks receive a salary plus State employment benefits. Judges' clerks who must travel also receive a travel and meal allowance while attending Court sessions in Albany.

Personal Law Clerks to Judges of the Court

Each Judge of the Court hires law clerks who work with the Judge in home Chambers and attend Court sessions in Albany (typically 40 or more days per year). Not all Judges hire clerks on a rotating or regular basis.

Each Judge sets individual deadlines and requirements for applications. Biographies of the Judges and information on their application requirements can be found here:

The Clerk's Office updates this information regularly, but cannot guarantee that posted positions remain available. Applications to the Judges of the Court should be addressed to: Court of Appeals Hall, 20 Eagle Street, Albany, NY 12207.

Clerks with the Court’s Central Legal Research Staff

A clerkship with the Court’s Central Legal Research Staff is a two-year commitment. Central Staff clerks work at Court of Appeals Hall in Albany and prepare reports on appeals and motions for leave to appeal under the direction of the Chief Court Attorney and Deputy Chief Court Attorney. Central Staff clerks also work on research projects as requested by the Judges or the Clerk of the Court. To be considered for two-year clerkship opportunities commencing in August 2022, applications should be filed starting July 1, 2021 with a deadline of September 15, 2021.

An application for a Central Staff clerkship must contain a cover letter, current resume, an unofficial copy of the law school transcript, an unedited writing sample and a completed UCS-5 form. Applicants are also encouraged, but not required, to submit two letters of recommendation from law school professors in their initial application package (applicants who have been practicing law following receipt of a J.D. degree may submit letters from legal employers). Applicants who do not submit letters of recommendation in their initial package will be required to bring them to the Court, along with unofficial undergraduate and any graduate school transcripts, if selected for an interview.

It is anticipated that interviews with prospective candidates will be conducted during September and October 2021 and clerkship offers will be made in early November.

Applications for Central Legal Research Staff clerkships should be mailed to: Margery Corbin Eddy, Chief Court Attorney, Court of Appeals Hall, 20 Eagle Street, Albany, NY 12207 or emailed to Central Staff Clerkships.

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The New York State Unified Court System is an equal opportunity employer, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy and gender identity or expression), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, age, membership in an employee organization, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor..