A few years after I was appointed a judge, the caseload per
judge increased dramatically. That
increase in case load meant that judges often did not have the time to conduct
legal research necessary to accurately decide a case. It was decided that it would be most cost
effective for each judge to have an attorney to assist the judge with the
research, drafting orders and other tasks.
The pay for law clerks is lower than many starting salaries
for associates in law firms or becoming employed in the public sector. The law clerks, however, gain valuable
experience observing and working for the judges.
Over the 26 years, I have had 16 staff attorneys, commonly
called law clerks. (Actually, my 17th started just this week!)
Many judges prefer to have one competent clerk for as long as possible,
as it can be somewhat of a chore to train in a new staff attorney. I have opted for the more traditional
approach to employing clerks: They are
expected to work one to two years, and then move on to a more traditional legal
position.
I have had some clerks that have stayed for almost two
years, and others that were gone within six months. I have taken great pleasure in watching these
young attorneys start out on their careers.
There was a time, during a budget crisis, that a freeze on
hiring law clerks was put in place. For
several months, I was without a clerk (until that budget crisis finally passed)
I worked without a clerk and did my own legal research. I commented at the time that I was the
highest paid law clerk in the State of Minnesota.
These young attorneys, trained in using computers for legal research, were
significantly more efficient doing legal research than my method of pulling the
books off the shelf, and retyping the language from the cases that needed to be
in my decision.
I have worked with law clerks who were of all political
persuasions. I have worked with a
college football player and a Iraq
war veteran and National Guard officer – each young attorney brings experiences
to the office that I have never experienced.
I have tried to be a mentor to these intelligent, motivated and
dedicated young attorneys.
But I can guarantee that I have learned more from working
with them than they have from me.
It was been a privilege and a pleasure.
* * *
* * * *
Next Week: Picking a
Jury
