JUDICIAL CLERKSHIP HANDBOOK - Cornell University Law School
JUDICIAL CLERKSHIP HANDBOOK - Cornell University Law School
JUDICIAL CLERKSHIP HANDBOOK - Cornell University Law School
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vary somewhat due to locality adjustments), and money certainly goes a lot farther in non‐<br />
major urban areas. According to the Administrative Office of the United States Courts,<br />
most recent law school graduates with academic excellence qualify for an appointment at<br />
least at grade JSP‐11, step 1 (annual base salary of $50,287). One year of post‐graduate<br />
legal experience and bar membership qualifies the appointee for grade JSP‐12, step 1,<br />
appointment with an annual base salary of $60,274. If an appointee has two years of post‐<br />
graduate work experience, plus bar membership, he or she qualifies for appointment at JSP‐<br />
13, step 1, with an annual base salary of $71,674. If an appointee has three years of post‐<br />
graduate work experience (with at least two years as a judicial law clerk, staff attorney, pro<br />
se law clerk, death penalty law clerk, or bankruptcy appellate panel law clerk, in the federal<br />
judiciary, plus bar membership, he or she qualifies for appointment at JSP‐14, step 1, with<br />
an annual base salary of $84,697. Incoming law clerks who have prior federal experience<br />
may be eligible to match their highest previous rate of federal pay within the grade for<br />
which they qualify. See https://oscar.symplicity.com/drupal/content/qualifications‐salary‐<br />
and‐benefits. Specific information about salary can be made available prior to accepting an<br />
offer from the employing court's personnel representative.<br />
State court clerkship salaries vary. For instance, New York Court of Appeals clerkships pay<br />
more than $76,000 the first year and approximately $80,000 the second year. New Jersey<br />
Supreme Court clerkships pay $57,000.<br />
Generally do not assume that you cannot afford to interview for or accept judicial<br />
clerkships. Contact the Financial Aid Office for information about <strong>Cornell</strong>=s interview loan<br />
fund and about student loan deferral options.<br />
CITIZENSHIP ISSUES<br />
Under a provision in the appropriations bill passed in December 2009, appropriated funds<br />
may not be used to pay compensation to noncitizen employees with duty stations in the<br />
continental United States, unless they qualify under one of the following exceptions:<br />
<strong>Law</strong>ful permanent residents who are seeking citizenship as outlined in 8 U.S.C. §<br />
1324b(a)(3)(B);<br />
Persons admitted as refugees or granted asylum who have filed a declaration of<br />
intention to become a lawful permanent resident and then a citizen when eligible;<br />
or<br />
Persons who owe "allegiance to the United States" (e.g., nationals of American<br />
Samoa, Swains Island, and Northern Mariana Islands, and nationals who meet other<br />
requirements described in 8 U.S.C. § 1408).<br />
In addition to the appropriations act restriction, all noncitizens must be eligible for<br />
employment under U.S. immigration law. <strong>Law</strong> clerk applicants may be required to provide<br />
citizenship information and proof of eligibility to work in the United States as part of the<br />
clerkship application. If you are unsure if you are eligible to work in the United States,<br />
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