Law Clerks and the Judicial Process: Perceptions of the Qualities and Functions of Law Clerks in American Courts

This is the first in—depth empirical and historical study of the use of law clerks by American judges. Although possessing a hundred—year heritage, the institution has been ignored as an important component of the process of judicial decision—making. Law clerks are, in the authors' words, "subordinate, anonymous, but often quite powerful lawyers who function as the non—commissioned officers in the army of the judiciary."

American courts are currently altering the traditional use of law cler...