Employment opportunities

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. Applicants must possess a degree from an accredited law school as of the appointment date for the clerkship.

Supreme Court law clerk job description
Court of Appeals law clerk job description

Current openings

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 1 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.

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.