Law Clerk Handbook

This is an updated edition of the Law Clerk Handbook, co-authored by Judge Alvin B. Rubin and Anthony DiLeo and first published by the Federal Judicial Center in 1977. Section 2.2 of this edition was revised in December 2017 in response to recent developments. The handbook provides an overview of chambers operations and the work of the federal courts; it does not provide detailed procedures on every aspect of a law clerk’s daily tasks, nor does it review the procedures of each individual court (largely because law clerks’ duties vary from judge to judge). Law clerks should familiarize themselves with local court procedures and inquire about a local chambers manual.