Law clerk employment

The Wisconsin Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals offer excellent Law Clerk opportunities to the new or recent graduate of an accredited law school.

Supreme Court

The Wisconsin Supreme Court, composed of seven justices, is the state's highest court. Located in the State Capitol, it has appellate jurisdiction over all Wisconsin courts and has discretion to determine which appeals it will hear. The Supreme Court may also hear original actions - cases that have not been heard in a lower court. The court selects cases it will review based on criteria described in the Wisconsin Statutes.

In addition to its case deciding function, the Supreme Court has administrative and regulatory authority over all Wisconsin courts and the practice of law in the state.

Each of the seven justices personally appoints a law clerk to perform research, prepare memoranda, assist in the drafting of opinions and perform other duties as the individual justice may direct. Supreme Court law clerks are customarily hired to serve one year. Each justice conducts his/her individual application and interview process to select a law clerk. Recruitment and selection activities are determined by the appointing Justice. Supreme Court law clerk appointments begin August 1st of each year.

In addition to outstanding professional development and educational opportunities afforded by these prestigious appointments, the Wisconsin Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals offer a competitive salary and benefit package to law clerks.

To apply for a law clerk position, please send the required application materials to the attention of the individual justice at:

Wisconsin Supreme Court
16 East State Capitol
P.O. Box 1688
Madison, WI 53701-1688

Chief Justice Shirley S. Abrahamson
One clerkship available beginning August 2010.
Application requirements: cover letter, resume, law school transcript, unedited writing sample (10-15 pages), and two letters of recommendation.
Recommendation letters may be sent separately.
Applications will be accepted through September 15, 2009.

Justice Ann Walsh Bradley
No current vacancy.

Justice N. Patrick Crooks
One-year clerkship available beginning August 2010.
Application requirements: cover letter, resume, law school transcript, unedited writing sample, and two letters of recommendation. Recommendation letters may be sent separately.
Applications will be accepted beginning June 1, 2009 through September 1, 2009.

Justice Michael J. Gableman
No current vacancy.

Justice David T. Prosser, Jr.
One clerkship available beginning August 2010.
Application requirements: Cover letter, resume, most recent law school transcript, unedited writing sample, and three letters of recommendation. Recommendation letters may be sent separately.
Applications now being accepted.

Justice Patience D. Roggensack
One clerkship beginning August 2, 2010.
Application requirements: cover letter, resume, law school transcript, writing sample, and two letters of recommendation. Recommendation letters may be sent separately.
Applications will be accepted now through July 10, 2009. Interviews will be scheduled after July 10, 2009.

Justice Annette Ziegler
One clerkship available beginning August 2010.
Application requirements: cover letter, resume, law school transcript, unedited writing sample, and two letters of recommendation. Recommendation letters may be sent separately.
Applications will be accepted beginning June 1, 2009 through August 15, 2009.

Court of Appeals

The Wisconsin Court of Appeals is the state's intermediate appellate court. The court is composed of sixteen judges from four districts headquartered in Milwaukee, Waukesha, Wausau and Madison. Each Court of Appeals judge personally appoints a law clerk to assist in legal research, memoranda and draft opinion writing, editorial duties, opinion review, discussion of appellate issues and other duties as the individual judge may direct. Appointments are a minimum of one year and begin approximately August 1st.

Each Court of Appeals judge conducts his/her own individual application and interview. Recruitment and selection activities vary with the individual judge. See specific information below.

To apply for a law clerk position in the Court of Appeals, please send the required application materials to the attention of the individual judge at:

Court of Appeals District I
633 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 1400
Milwaukee, WI 53203-1908

Judge Ralph Adam Fine
No current vacancy. Applications are not accepted.

Judge Patricia Curley
Minimum one-year appointment expiring July 31. Interviews scheduled during January or February.
Application requirements: letter, resume, at least two letters of recommendation, latest transcript and writing sample.

Judge Joan Kessler
No current vacancy. Applications are not accepted.

Judge Kitty Brennan
No current vacancy. Applications are not accepted.

Court of Appeals District II
2727 N. Grandview Blvd, Suite 300
Waukesha, WI 53188-1672

Judge Richard Brown
Two-year appointment beginning around August 1, 2010. Interviews are scheduled during September and October; decision made by October 31.
Application Requirements: Cover sheet, resume (references should be included), writing samples and transcripts. If applicant has a physical or mental disability, he or she should self-identify so accommodations can be provided if needed.

Judge Harry Snyder
No current vacancy. Applications are not accepted.

Judge Daniel Anderson
No current vacancy. Applications are not accepted.

Judge Lisa Neubauer
No current vacancy.

Court of Appeals District III
2100 Stewart Avenue, Suite 310
Wausau, WI 54401

Judge Michael Hoover
No current vacancy. Applications are not accepted.

Judge Gregory Peterson
No current vacancy. Applications are not accepted.

Judge Edward Brunner
No current vacancy. Applications are not accepted.

Court of Appeals District IV
10 East Doty Street, Suite 700
Madison, WI 53703-3397

Law Clerk application requirements: Exceptional writing and legal analytical skills. Familiarity with legal research software and good legal research skills. Editing skills with word processing software familiarity. Ability to take direction.

Judge Margaret Vergeront
One clerkship available beginning August 2009.
Application requirements: cover letter, resume, undergraduate and law school transcript, writing sample and letters of recommendation (may be sent separately).
Recommendation letters may be sent separately.
Application deadline: 4:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 10, 2008.

Judge Paul Lundsten
No current vacancy. Applications are not accepted.

Judge Charles Dykman
No current vacancy.

Judge Paul Higginbotham
No current vacancy. Applications are not accepted.

Judge Burnie Bridge
No current vacancy.

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