Introduction to Law Clerk Positions
Within Chicago law firms and for attorneys in general, a law clerk is an individual (who is generally law school trained) that provides various legal-related services and/or research that is typically useful for personal attorneys, paralegals and legal secretaries. Part of the Law Clerk’s duties may include trial preparation, legal research support, and other miscellaneous work assigned to them by their employer. Many clerks often have a wide range of assignments and supervisorial contacts due to the fact that law firms can be very busy places—forcing the need to have smart, ethical and dedicated law students or graduates available to complete some of these assignments in a timely manner.
Law Clerk roles are simply invaluable to employers because they take the pressure off of attorneys, managers and other professionals. Even though the duties of law clerks may vary from job to job , in general, they are responsible for providing general and administrative support (such as researching case law, taking notes and scheduling meetings). The Chicago market for law clerks is one that values these positions highly, as law firms know their ability to add quality people to the staff can allow for overall improved performance (less stress) by the entire office.
Essentially, law clerk jobs can be considered as entry-level attorney positions. Although ‘clerk’ is used in the title, the reality is that these lawyers (with the highest degrees of education) are performing many of the same tasks as a first or second year associate does within the firm, only without the commensurate salary. For bright young talent, this is a great opportunity to ramp up an organization’s production into overdrive—and they will be rewarded for their effort (as quickly as possible).
Law Clerk Demand in Chicago
Demand for Law Clerks in Chicago, IL
The job of the law clerk to a judge is widely recognized to be among the most prestigious positions a law school graduate can hold. While these jobs are rare, there are several private firms in Chicago that require the skills of law clerks. The law firms of Sidley Austin, Baker & McKenzie, Skadden Arps, Kirkland & Ellis, and Kirkland Ellis each maintain official clinical clerkship programs. The clerkships are generally one-year positions. Law students usually have to apply in their second year. Upon graduation, those accepted to the clinical program begin work at the firm that has accepted them. By starting a career in a clinical clerkship, recent graduates will make use of skills honed during their school years in a practical work environment.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Chicago employs 23,460 lawyers, the fifth most of any metropolitan area. The Chicago area has a population of 9,569,624 and is the third largest metropolitan region in the United States. As well as a large lawyer population, Chicago is also home to 172,680 support professionals, many of whom are clerks. Chicago alone employed over 3,000 law clerks in 2012. In the Chicago-Naperville-Jolet area, there are 2,070 law offices. For law graduates looking for support roles, studies of the market tend to indicate that the most promising regions tend to be major metropolitan areas.
Highly regarded law schools in Chicago include the University of Chicago, Northwestern, DePaul, Loyola, and John Marshall. Completing an internship at a law school with such high ratings offers the student another point in his or her favor upon entering the job market. According to the American Bar Association, there were 796 graduates of both Chicago-Kent College of law and the DePaul University College of Law in 2011. The number of graduates that attended the University of Chicago is 362, while the number of graduates from the Loyola University School of Law is 314. The number of recent Northwestern University law school graduates is 229. These graduates have a wide choice of job opportunities when they graduate, but the demand for workers in Chicago is undeniable.
The cost of living in Chicago is low relative to some of the major cities on the coasts and Chicago draws a lot of tenants looking to save money. An apartment in downtown Chicago now costs an average of $1,750 per month. The cost of living in Chicago grew at 7% faster than the national average from 2009-2010. In 2012, the real estate market also started looking up in Chicago, with the median price of condos rise 7.4% to $247,000 and median single family home prices rise 4.1% to $195,000.
While the Chicago economy is struggling like the rest of the nation, demand for attorneys remains strong and shows a general upward tendency. This is likely only to help increase the demand for law clerks in the Chicago area.
Qualifications for Law Clerk Work
Typically, employers in Chicago favor law clerks who have completed at least the first year of law school. While many Chicago law clerks are currently enrolled in law school, some are law school graduates who have been admitted to sit for the bar exam. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is preferred, along with excellent writing skills and analytical abilities developed through prior experience as a legal assistant or law clerk, or through education. Computer proficiency, particularly in Westlaw and LexisNexis, along with experience with Microsoft Office software is also a bonus.
Many law firms prefer particpants in the Chicago Bar Association’s Voluntary Associate Program, which is a pro bono program that helps aspiring individuals learn essential skills and gain practical experience through volunteer work.
Employers Seeking Law Clerks in Chicago
As a legal professional in Chicago, you’re in one of the most dynamic law markets with a variety of opportunities to work as a law clerk. While the competition can be steep, Chicago firms place a lot of value on diverse experience. According to the website for K&L Gates LLP, "A significant portion of our summer and entry-level associates start their legal careers with us in the Chicago office." It is one of the top firms in the city—ranked number one in healthcare law by U.S. News and World Report while boasting an "inclusive, collaborative environment that fosters communication."
At the government level, The City of Chicago employs a number of law clerks in its Law Department , which fields several divisions to support general counsel. The City’s Department of Law employs roughly 140 lawyers to handle many legal aspects, from the City’s business affairs, claims litigation, municipal prosecutions and more.
Corporations in the Chicago market often seek law clerks as well. Biopharmaceutical major AbbVie offers many internship opportunities for legal professionals, including law clerk positions in intellectual property, research and development, securities, litigation, employment and a number of other fields. The firm emphasizes the development of its employees and interns so that those who are successful in internships can become associates and, eventually, partners. USA Today recently named AbbVie as one of the Best Places to Work: 50 Best Workplaces in Fast-Moving Industries.
Application Advice for Law Clerk Positions
When applying to law clerk positions, as with most jobs, it is important to have a well-crafted resume and cover letter. Your resume should include your contact information at the top of the page. Then be sure to include your education and work history under appropriate headings. Finally, include any additional skills you have like language fluency. A good resume is a concise document which includes all of the above information without any unnecessary and cumbersome details. Make sure to use bullet points and easy to read fonts to make your resume easy to read and understand. Crafting a compelling cover letter is another equally vital part of securing an interview. Use the cover letter as a way to showcase more of your personality and to make a connect with the hiring manager. Convey why you would be a good fit for the firm, even if the position is not available at that time. You can capitalize on your experience and highlight what you hope to accomplish within the company. Once you land an interview, preparation is key. Typically, the interview for legal clerk positions is more relaxed than interviews for permanent job positions. This is because the firms knows that law clerking is not a long term job. However, it is important to be prepared and arrive on time. During the interview, make sure to ask questions that pertain to being successful in the position, and don’t be afraid to ask for clarification if the process looks confusing. Follow-up is very necessary, as most companies go through a formal process of reviewing applicants. The best way to stand out from the crowd is by sending a thank you note to the interviewer, this is key.
Building a Network and Career
Networking can play a significant role in the pursuit of law clerk opportunities in Chicago. By connecting with legal professionals, attending industry events, and utilizing resources such as LinkedIn, individuals can gain insights into potential job openings, refer you to opportunities, or offer guidance on how to approach their firm for a law clerk role, to help you get your foot in the door.
In addition, networking can provide opportunities for career advancement. Some law clerks may be offered permanent positions after completing their clerkship, while others may use their experience as a springboard to move on to other opportunities that they meet through networking. For example, a law clerk who works on a high-profile case may be offered a position by a law firm partner who took notice of their contribution to the case . Law clerks can also leverage their connections to learn about job openings at other firms or in different areas of the law.
Another path for law clerk advancement is through offers from outside legal firms. Many law firms work in conjunction with businesses and non-profits in Chicago, IL that are in need of legal support. A law clerk who excels in their role may be hired by one of these outside organizations, allowing them to transition into a full-time position without having to find a new job.
Networking can also help law clerks find opportunities to further their education, such as by attending seminars and conferences. This can deepen their knowledge of the law, making them more attractive to potential employers.