What does a Law Clerk do?
Many Lawyers depend on Law Clerks to help them handle busy schedules and make sure their clients get the best legal representation possible. They often speak with clients and Lawyers from other firms, review documents and other evidence, and remind Lawyers and Judges about court dates and other scheduled tasks. They also compose subpoenas, legal briefs, contracts and other legal documents. Law Clerks often answer and make phone and video calls, and they may greet clients who visit the office.
Law Clerk skills and qualifications
Successful Law Clerks are polite, friendly and professional. They can work with a wide variety of people and personalities. They can also type quickly to record dictation from Lawyers. They can meet deadlines, keep track of complex schedules and adapt quickly to changing conditions as well. Some of the top skills and qualifications for Law Clerks include:
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to prioritize a variety of tasks and requests
- Ability to explain laws and legal documents to clients
- Understanding of basic math, accounting, and budgeting
- Familiarity with computers, copy machines, fax machines, and other office equipment
Law Clerk experience requirements
For most Law Clerk jobs, you should require applicants to have at least one or two years experience. Senior positions should require more than five years of experience. You may prefer applicants with both office and legal experience. People with experience in the same area of law that your organization practices, such as family law, real estate law, or criminal law, can easily get up to speed.
Law Clerk education and training requirements
For a Law Clerk job, you should require candidates to have a Bachelor’s degree in law, legal administration, business administration, or a similar field as well. Law Clerks in many provinces will need certifications if you want them to act as Public Notaries and notarize documents. It’s a good idea to require some on-the-job training as well.
Law Clerk salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Law Clerk in Canada is $51,602 per year. Pay rates for individuals may vary depending on locations, experience and education levels and employers.
Job description samples for similar positions
If a Law Clerk isn’t exactly what your business is searching for, some similar job description samples include: