What Does a Legal Clerk Do?
A legal clerk provides essential administrative and clerical support to attorneys, paralegals, or court staff by managing legal documentation, organizing files, and preparing case materials. These professionals play a vital role in ensuring that legal teams have accurate, organized information and that filings and records meet required standards. Legal clerks work in law firms, government agencies, and court systems, where they help facilitate smooth case processing and recordkeeping.
Depending on the environment, a legal clerk may assist with drafting simple documents, transcribing legal correspondence, updating case dockets, or managing exhibits and hearing materials. In courts, they may support judges or court administrators by handling case files, checking documents for completeness, or assisting with calendar scheduling. Their attention to detail, ability to work under deadlines, and familiarity with legal terminology make them valuable members of any legal operations team.
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Legal Clerk Core Responsibilities
- Organize, file, and retrieve legal documents and records
- Maintain physical and electronic case files with up-to-date information
- Prepare and format legal documents and correspondence
- Assist with calendaring hearings, depositions, and deadlines
- Transcribe legal notes or dictation for attorneys or court personnel
- Support document discovery, trial prep, or post-trial documentation
- Monitor and update dockets or indexes as needed
- Deliver or electronically file court documents on behalf of legal teams
Required Skills and Qualifications
Hard skills
- Knowledge of filing procedures and legal document management
- Basic understanding of court processes and legal terminology
- Proficiency with legal software or case management systems
- Typing and document formatting accuracy
Soft skills
- Organizational and multitasking skills
- Attention to detail and document precision
- Professional communication, written and verbal
- Time management and ability to meet deadlines
- Confidentiality and discretion in handling sensitive materials
Education
- High school diploma or equivalent required
- Associate’s degree or legal coursework preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- 1–2 years of experience in a legal, court, or administrative setting
- Familiarity with electronic filing systems (e.g., PACER, state eFiling portals)
- Experience supporting litigation or document-heavy practice areas
National Average Salary
Legal clerk salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.
The average national salary for a Legal Clerk is:
$48,866
Sample Job Description Templates for Legal Clerks
Court Clerk
Position Overview
We are seeking a Court Clerk to support courtroom operations by maintaining case files, managing calendars, and processing legal filings. This role serves as the primary point of coordination between judges, attorneys, and the public during court proceedings.
Responsibilities
- Schedule hearings and maintain court calendars
- File and retrieve pleadings and legal motions
- Prepare dockets, court orders, and notices
- Record court proceedings and maintain transcripts when needed
- Manage incoming case documents and filings
Requirements
Hard skills
- Familiarity with court filing systems and procedures
- Proficiency in docket management software
- Legal document formatting
Soft skills
- Strong organizational and multitasking skills
- Professional communication and public interaction
- Confidentiality and accuracy under pressure
Education
- High school diploma or equivalent required
Preferred Qualifications
- 2+ years of experience in a courthouse or judicial setting
Judicial Clerk
Position Overview
We’re hiring a Judicial Clerk to assist a judge with legal research, drafting decisions, and managing case documentation. This highly detail-oriented position is ideal for candidates with a legal education seeking direct courtroom experience.
Responsibilities
- Conduct legal research and summarize case law
- Draft memos, opinions, and judicial orders under judge supervision
- Organize court filings, briefs, and motions for hearings
- Attend hearings and maintain internal notes and dockets
- Liaise with counsel regarding scheduling and case status
Requirements
Hard skills
- Legal research and case analysis
- Legal writing and drafting skills
- Familiarity with court procedures and legal citations
Soft skills
- Discretion and professional judgment
- Written clarity and analytical thinking
- Timeliness and adaptability in a judicial setting
Education
- Juris Doctor (JD) or current law student preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- Clerkship or internship experience in a court or legal office
Legal File Clerk
Position Overview
We’re seeking a Legal File Clerk to organize, maintain, and retrieve physical and digital legal documents. This role supports the legal team by ensuring fast access to up-to-date and accurate case files.
Responsibilities
- File, scan, and retrieve legal documents and correspondence
- Track the status of case files and update document logs
- Organize and archive closed case files per retention policies
- Coordinate document delivery or pickup with legal staff
- Maintain confidentiality of client records
Requirements
Hard skills
- Document scanning and digital filing proficiency
- Familiarity with legal record organization systems
- Ability to alphabetize, index, and manage large volumes of files
Soft skills
- Strong attention to detail
- Dependability and task ownership
- Ability to work efficiently with repetitive tasks
Education
- High school diploma or equivalent required
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience working in a legal or office filing role
Criminal Court Clerk
Position Overview
We are hiring a Criminal Court Clerk to assist with docket management, case tracking, and court recordkeeping for criminal proceedings. This role works closely with judges, prosecutors, and defense teams to ensure accurate case documentation.
Responsibilities
- Schedule criminal hearings, arraignments, and trials
- Maintain docket information and bail orders
- Record plea deals, verdicts, and sentencing outcomes
- Coordinate court filings with public defenders and prosecutors
- Ensure courtroom records are current and accessible
Requirements
Hard skills
- Knowledge of criminal court procedures
- Case docketing and court management software
- Document handling and legal notation
Soft skills
- Discretion in handling sensitive legal matters
- Attention to timelines and case deadlines
- Effective communication with diverse stakeholders
Education
- High school diploma required; legal coursework preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- 2+ years of court or criminal law experience
Corporate Legal Clerk
Position Overview
We’re hiring a Corporate Legal Clerk to support in-house legal teams with document organization, regulatory filings, and contract administration. This non-courtroom role is suited for someone interested in corporate legal operations.
Responsibilities
- Organize contracts, compliance documents, and legal files
- Track expiration dates, renewal deadlines, and corporate filings
- Support legal team with NDAs, vendor agreements, and templates
- Assist with entity formation documents and state registrations
- Maintain internal databases and electronic folders
Requirements
Hard skills
- Familiarity with corporate filings and document formats
- Legal document organization and tracking
- Office software proficiency (e.g., MS Word, SharePoint)
Soft skills
- Precision and accountability
- Strong file and deadline tracking
- Confidentiality in handling sensitive information
Education
- Associate’s degree or legal studies certificate preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience supporting a corporate legal or compliance team
Litigation Clerk
Position Overview
We are seeking a Litigation Clerk to assist litigation attorneys with case preparation, document organization, and eDiscovery support. This role ensures that attorneys and paralegals have immediate access to accurate case data throughout the litigation process.
Responsibilities
- Maintain and organize case files and litigation binders
- Assist in gathering exhibits, discovery materials, and pleadings
- Track deposition dates, court filings, and deadlines
- Scan and tag documents for review platforms
- Support internal communication regarding case progress
Requirements
Hard skills
- Litigation file management and court document familiarity
- Experience with eDiscovery platforms (e.g., Relativity, Logikcull)
- Legal calendaring knowledge
Soft skills
- Dependable under time constraints
- Well-organized and responsive to team needs
- Able to prioritize multiple case requests
Education
- Legal support certificate or associate’s degree preferred
Preferred Qualifications
- 1–3 years supporting litigation teams