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Summer Clerk Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Summer Clerkship Program

Charleston, SC · On-site

Our summer clerks are highly motivated second-year law students who are interested in beginning careers in complex litigation. The firm prefers that all applicants be in the top 20% of their class.

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Summer Clerk information

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$25

How much do summer clerk jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for summer clerk in the United States is $16.82, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.98 and $18.99 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a summer clerk?

Summer Clerks are typically law students who work temporarily at law firms, government agencies, or courts during the summer months. Their main role is to assist attorneys with legal research, drafting documents, and preparing case files, giving them practical experience in the legal field. The position is often seen as a stepping stone to securing a full-time job after graduation, as it allows students to showcase their skills and learn more about the practice of law. Summer Clerkships are highly competitive and provide valuable networking opportunities.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a summer clerk, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Summer Clerk, you generally need strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and basic office or legal knowledge, often supported by current enrollment in a law or undergraduate program. Familiarity with legal research databases, document management systems, and office productivity tools like Microsoft Office is typically required. Excellent written and verbal communication, time management, and the ability to work collaboratively help distinguish top candidates in this role. These skills are crucial for efficiently supporting attorneys and staff, ensuring accurate work, and gaining valuable workplace experience.

What are some common challenges faced by summer clerks, and how can they overcome them?

Summer Clerks often encounter challenges such as adapting quickly to a fast-paced legal environment, managing multiple assignments from different attorneys, and balancing their workload with learning opportunities. To overcome these challenges, it's helpful to stay organized, communicate proactively with supervising attorneys about deadlines and expectations, and seek feedback regularly. Building relationships with mentors and peers can also provide valuable support and guidance throughout the clerkship.

What is the difference between Summer Clerk vs Legal Intern?

AspectSummer ClerkLegal Intern
Required CredentialsUndergraduate or law school student, often with some coursework completedTypically law students, sometimes undergraduates interested in law
Work EnvironmentLaw firms, courts, government agencies during summer monthsLaw firms, courts, legal departments, often during summer or semester internships
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in law firms and legal institutions for summer programsUsed interchangeably with Summer Clerk in many settings, focusing on legal experience

Both Summer Clerks and Legal Interns are law-related positions aimed at gaining practical experience during summer or academic breaks. While the titles are often used interchangeably, Summer Clerk typically emphasizes a formal summer program, whereas Legal Intern may refer to a broader range of internship experiences. Both roles help students build skills and network within the legal industry.

What cities are hiring for Summer Clerk jobs?

Cities with the most Summer Clerk job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Clerk jobs?

The most popular types of Clerk jobs are:

What states have the most Summer Clerk jobs?

States with the most job openings for Summer Clerk jobs include:

Summer Clerk jobs near you
Infographic showing various Summer Clerk job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 26% Full Time, 64% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 7% Contract, and 1% Summer. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $34,987 per year, or $16.8 per hour.

2026 Summer Clerkship Program

Schwegman Lundberg and Woessner P.A.

Minneapolis, MN • On-site

Temporary

Re-posted 12 days ago

Job description

2026 Summer Clerkship Program - Minneapolis and San Jose
The firm is seeking current law students for its summer clerkship program.
Our summer clerkship program provides aspiring patent attorneys with a thorough exposure to the profession. Summer clerks work under the mentorship of our attorneys to assist with a variety of client projects related to patent prosecution. These projects may include preparation of responses to office actions, preparation of patent applications, conducting searches for prior art, and preparing appeal briefs.
We work with our clients in a variety of technologies, and we hope to provide our summer clerks with experience in a technology area that closely matches both their technical background and their interests. We also seek to provide summer clerks with exposure to client interactions, such as attending meetings and participating in teleconferences with clients, where appropriate.
Qualifications:
Applicants should be current law students and have a Bachelor of Science degree in computer science, computer engineering, mechanical engineering, or electrical engineering. Equivalent degrees will be considered. Advanced degrees are a plus.
Technical work experience is highly valued, especially industry experience in designing, developing, testing, or supporting software, hardware, or networking technologies.
Applicants should be interested in patent law, as shown by coursework or legal experience. An ideal applicant is able to demonstrate a strong interest in patent prosecution specifically. Candidates who are registered to practice before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office are encouraged to apply.
Format:
The summer clerkship program operates during the summer months of June through August, with a formal program typically during June and July. To accommodate different academic calendars at different law schools, the start and completion dates for each summer clerkship can be individually customized to support the goals of the firm and the clerk.
Application Process:
Qualified law students may apply at any time, up to one year prior to their particular desired summer clerkship program. Applicants interested in clerking during summer of 2026 are encouraged to apply early, by October 1, 2025, due to the large number of applicants interested in summertime clerkships.
To apply, please use our online form to submit a resume, a cover letter, an undergraduate transcript, a law school transcript, office location preference, and a writing sample, preferably related to patents. Unofficial transcripts are acceptable for this initial submission.
Duties at SLW may involve exposure to technical information that may be subject to U.S. Export Control laws. Therefore, proof of U.S. citizenship or permanent residency ("green card") status may be required before consideration for a position at SLW.

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