A
law clerk or a
judicial clerk is a person who provides assistance to a
judge in
researching issues before the
court and in writing
opinions. Unlike the
court clerk and the courtroom deputy, both of whom are administrative staff for the court, a law clerk assists the judge in making legal determinations. Most law clerks are recent
law school graduates who performed at or near the top of their class. Studies have shown clerks to be influential in the formation of
case law, through their influence upon judges' decisions. Working as a law clerk generally opens up career opportunities.