The Office of Administrative Law (OAL) is an executive-branch agency with locations in suburban Trenton, downtown Newark, and Atlantic City. Currently, forty-two administrative law judges preside over contested cases in a wide variety of areas: environmental; civil service; Medicaid; public utilities; motor vehicles; education; special education; pensions; civil rights; health; alcoholic beverage control; economic assistance; insurance; and professional boards. On average, more than 19,000 cases are transmitted each year to the OAL. The judges hold trial-type hearings and issue written initial decisions within forty-five days of the close of the record.

The OAL hires four law clerks for a one-year term, which starts the Wednesday after Labor Day. Depending on certain factors, the one-year term could extend to two years. Law clerks are assigned to either the Trenton or Newark office.  There, they provide essential legal research and writing on questions that arise in contested cases. Each clerk completes approximately fifty memoranda during the clerkship year. Clerks perform research and writing in a wide variety of subject-matter areas, and for a number of different judges. Each assignment is personally reviewed by a supervising attorney and the requesting judge. The law clerk position affords an excellent opportunity to gain exposure to procedural and substantive aspects of administrative law, and to polish research and writing skills. There is also ample opportunity to observe hearings and other pre-trial procedures such as conferences and settlements.

Hiring criteria: B+ or better in legal research and writing; overall GPA of at least 3.2

Interested students should send their resume, transcript, cover letter, and writing sample to Jennifer Campbell, Assistant Director for Legal Research, at Office of Administrative Law, P.O. Box 049, Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0049 or by e-mail to Jennifer.campbell@oal.nj.gov.