Title: Law Clerk - Boston Municipal Court

Pay Grade: Grade 16

Starting Pay: $75,933.78

Departmental Mission Statement: Given our unique responsibility to advance the fair administration of justice, the Boston Municipal Court Department is devoted to the rule of law through the conscientious and expeditious resolution of disputes, with a commitment to restoring the human spirit through correction, education, respect, and compassion.

Boston Municipal Court Organizational Profile

Notes: All candidates must be able to travel among the offices and sessions within the Boston Municipal Court division and are subject to assignment and/or reassignment at any time to any of the offices or sessions of the division at the discretion of the department head.   

All Applications must be received by the end of the day on: March 2nd, 2025

The term of this Law Clerk opportunity will begin on August 1, 2025. The term will end on August 31, 2026, with a possibility of renewal for an additional year.

This posting is for one Boston Municipal Court Department position to be based in Suffolk County, Boston, Massachusetts. This position is designated as union exempt position and is covered by the Trial Court Personnel Policies and Procedures Manual. Please read all instructions carefully before starting the Trial Court online application process. Applications that do not comply with instructions may be screened out.  

* Additional Materials. Applicants who pass the initial screenings will be asked to provide additional materials, including a statement of interest, writing sample, and official law school transcripts. Applicants should begin gathering these materials and should be prepared to submit them when requested (but not before).

Position Summary: The Law Clerk position is responsible for performing legal research and writing assignments to assist the Justices of the Boston Municipal Court Department. The successful candidate will be expected to travel to each of the eight court divisions within Suffolk County. The law clerk, under the supervision of the Chief Justice and the direction of the Legal Counsel, Deputy Legal Counsel, and Administrative Attorneys will work directly with the justices, assisting them on a variety of assignments that will involve performing legal research, preparing memoranda on cases and legal issues, drafting decisions and orders, and/or attending court sessions, and all legal issues within the Boston Municipal Court Department's civil and criminal jurisdiction.  Research topics will include not only substantive questions of law but also questions involving procedural and evidentiary issues.  Duties of the position encompass every aspect of court procedure and all the legal and administrative issues within the Boston Municipal Court Department's jurisdiction. A willingness and ability to travel to courthouses throughout Suffolk County are requirements of the position.   

Duties: Assists judges in matters before the court by:

• Attends motion hearings, portions of trials, and other courtroom proceedings;
• Discusses legal issues with judges; Performs careful and accurate legal research and analysis, using both online and book resources;
• Clearly and concisely conveys results of research and analysis to judges, orally and in writing;
• Prepares well-written and error-free legal research memoranda and drafting decisions and Orders;
• Completes assignments in a timely manner and within deadlines established by judges;
• Performs additional legal research and analysis and further review and revision of written work products as appropriate;
• Rotates among the various divisions of the Boston Municipal Court Department;  
• Maintains law library materials; and  
• Performs related tasks as required.  

Minimum Requirements: These are the minimum requirements necessary to apply for a position of Law Clerk:

• Juris Doctor degree from a law school, as of the start of the clerkship.
• Massachusetts residency as of the start of the clerkship.
• Excellent legal writing and communication skills.
• Excellent legal research and analytical skills, using both online and book resources.
• High professional and ethical standards.
• Willingness to travel to divisions/courthouses in Suffolk County as assigned.
• Experience and knowledge in the use of personal computers, including word processing programs such as Microsoft Word and legal research services such as Lexis and Westlaw.
• Demonstrated ability to follow written and oral instructions.
• Demonstrated ability to manage, prioritize, and complete simultaneous assignments from various judges.
• Demonstrated ability to work well independently while maintaining productivity and demonstrating good judgment.
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines and otherwise complete assignments in a timely manner.
• Demonstrated ability to work well with others in a professional setting, including judges, managers, court staff, and other law clerks.
• Genuine commitment to serving the full term of the clerkship.
• An ability to travel to courthouses throughout Suffolk County.

Additional preferred qualifications include: Membership in the Massachusetts Bar and intent to practice law in Massachusetts. Substantial legal research and writing, including prior experience as a judicial intern. Familiarity with legal research resources beyond Westlaw and Lexis. Demonstrated commitment to government or public service. Neither prior Massachusetts residency nor bar membership is a prerequisite to employment. However, all law clerks must reside in Massachusetts during the duration of their clerkship.