Law Clerk Program

Every year, judges of the Supreme Court of Canada select up to 3 law clerks each to assist them in researching points of law, preparing memoranda of law and to help them with other tasks related to their work at the Court. They are looking for recent graduates in strong academic standing with excellent research and writing skills in either or both official languages. If you are passionate about law, like to take initiative and have the ability and willingness to occasionally work long hours under tight and competing deadlines, being a clerk may be the position for you. The Court hires up to 27 law clerks each year to support its 9 judges. Through this process, a pool of qualified candidates may also be established to staff similar positions. General information Work location: Supreme Court of Canada, 344 Wellington Street, Ottawa, Ontario Salary: $85,440 annually; where applicable, a lump sum payment of relocation expenses may be provided Duration of employment: 1‑year term appointment beginning at the end of July or mid‑August, with the possibility to be extended for an additional year Application deadline: January 8, 2026 at 11:59 PM Pacific Time Qualifications Bachelor of Laws or Juris Doctor from a recognized Canadian university or its equivalent. Completion of the degree is not required at the time of application; however, it must be completed prior to starting at the Court. Note: Not all law societies recognize experience as a law clerk as fulfilling all or part of their articling requirements. Applicants are responsible for checking articling requirements with the law society of the jurisdiction in which they intend to seek admission to the practice of law. Law clerks must devote their full time and attention to their duties and are not permitted to take any time off to attend bar admission courses or examinations during their period of employment. Who can apply? You must be a Canadian citizen or have permanent resident status in Canada or a work permit for Canada to apply and indicate in your application the basis on which you are entitled to work in Canada. Preference will be given to persons residing in Canada, and Canadian citizens and permanent residents abroad. Applications made by persons who are not permanent residents or Canadian citizens are accepted; however, if there are sufficient qualified applicants who are permanent residents or Canadian citizens, the selection will be confined to those applicants. Selection criteria Proficiency in 1 official language is required. In addition to unilingual positions, bilingual positions requiring proficiency in both official languages are being staffed. The level of proficiency in reading, writing, and oral expression in both official languages must be indicated. Applicants will be selected for further assessment based on a combination of criteria including: letters of recommendation academic excellence ability to work as part of a team ability to work under pressure effective interpersonal skills range of experience – legal and otherwise prior clerking experience will be considered as an asset The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. The Supreme Court of Canada is committed to achieving equitable representation of all employment equity designated groups throughout the organization and encourages you to indicate on your application if you belong to any of the groups designated under the Employment Equity Act, S.C.1995, c.44, including women, Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities. Additional requirements Appointment is conditional on a willingness by the applicant to undergo and successfully obtain a security clearance at a Secret level. The Court is responsible for having the security clearance carried out. Appointment is conditional on a willingness by the applicant to sign and abide by a Confidentiality and Conflict of Interest Declaration. In accordance with the Public Service Employment Act, S.C.2003, Part 4, s.54, appointment to the public service is conditional upon the swearing of an oath or the making of a solemn affirmation by the applicant. The text of the Oath or Affimation can be found in the legislation. The Supreme Court of Canada is committed to having inclusive, barrier‑free selection processes and work environments. If you are contacted about a job opportunity or interview, you should advise the Court in a timely manner of any accommodation measures you require in order to participate fairly and equitably. Please send all accommodation requests to the Law Clerk Program by email: lcp‑paj@scc‑csc.ca as soon as possible. Information received about accommodation measures will be treated confidentially. How to apply Clerkship applications, including transcripts and letters of reference, must be submitted online and received no later than January 8, 2026, at 11:59 PM Pacific Time. The following documents must be submitted: The form must be saved and opened with a PDF reader. Communication from the Court will be conducted by email or telephone. The contact information provided in the form must include a daytime phone number where you can be reached or where a message can be left. A cover letter addressing all requirements stated in this job advertisement If both English and French versions of the letter are being submitted, they must be included in one document. The letter must be addressed to the Honourable Justices. When submitting a curriculum vitae in both English and French, both versions must be included in a single document. Copies of transcripts for all post‑secondary studies, including any post‑graduate courses (include law school unofficial transcript). Transcripts must be in PDF format. Official law school transcript Official law school transcript must be sent directly by the university, either by email to lcp‑paj@scc‑csc.ca or by mail to the following address:Law Clerk ProgramSupreme Court of Canada301 Wellington StreetOttawa, ON K1A0J1Note: Secure digital transcripts issued directly by Electronic Transcript Services (secure online platforms that enable law schools to issue official academic documents) are accepted and should be submitted by email to lcp‑paj@scc‑csc.ca . 2 writing samples The samples must each be between 5 and 10 pages in length, relevant to the work of the Court and authored entirely by the applicant. Separate English and French samples are required for candidates proficient in both official languages. All pages must be numbered and include the applicant’s name. Factums produced for Court proceedings and moot court are not accepted. 4 letters of reference Letters can be included with the application or submitted directly by the referee. 1 of the 4 letters may be from the Dean of the faculty where the law degree was obtained. 1 or more letters must attest to academic excellence, effective interpersonal skills, the ability to work under pressure and the ability to work as part of a team. Letters must be addressed to the Honourable Justices and signed by the person providing the reference. Letters should be printed on official letterhead when possible. Naming convention The naming convention outlined in the table below must be used when submitting the completed application form, cover letter, curriculum vitae, copies of transcripts (other than the official law school transcript), writing samples, and letters of reference. Documents naming convention Documents Naming conventions For example, if Alex Smith applies, the documents are named as follows: Application form LastName, FirstName - FormSmith,Alex - Form Cover letter LastName, FirstName - LetterSmith,Alex - Letter Curriculum vitae LastName, FirstName - CVSmith,Alex - CV Copies of transcripts LastName, FirstName - Transcript 2 (non‑official law school transcript if submitted)Transcript 3, Transcript 4, etc., if there is more than one transcript.Do not use Transcript 1, as it is reserved for the official law school transcript. Smith, Alex - Transcript 2 (non‑official)Smith, Alex - Transcript 3Smith, Alex - Transcript 4 Writing samples LastName, FirstName - Writing Sample 1LastName, FirstName - Writing Sample 2 Smith,Alex - Writing Sample 1Smith,Alex - Writing Sample 2 Signed letters of reference LastName, FirstName - Reference - Referee’s last name Smith, Alex - Reference - Johnston Please ensure that the short hyphen (-) is used in the naming convention, rather than the longer dash (–) that may be automatically inserted by AI tools or certain software programs. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that their application is complete and that all materials, including the 4 letters of reference, have been received by January 8, 2026. Incomplete applications will not be considered. We thank all applicants for their interest in the Program. Only applicants selected for an interview will be contacted. Interviews will be conducted by the judges of the Court via MS Teams during the week of February 23, 2026, and all hiring will be finalized by March 13, 2026. #J-18808-Ljbffr