The duties of a judicial clerk vary somewhat depending on the judge and the type of court in which he/she sits. Typical tasks, however, include reviewing pleadings and briefs, conducting legal research, writing memoranda and draft opinions, editing, proofreading, providing oral briefings, and observing court proceedings. The position may also include some administrative duties, such as maintaining the chambers' library, assembling documents, and assisting with trials and oral arguments. What follows is a further description of the typical duties of judicial clerks in various courts. The basic duties of appellate and trial court clerks are the same whether the court is within the federal or state system.
