LAW CLERKING WITH A STATE SUPREME COURT: VIEWS FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE PERSONAL ASSISTANTS TO THE JUDGES

This study of a typical state court of last resort (Supreme Court of the State of Washington) relies upon questionnaire responses from 166 former law clerks who served with the court since 1937. Recruitment, tasks, roles, advantages, disadvantages, and contributions are all investigated. Law clerking involves less of an idiosyncratic relationship between justice and clerk and more of a common experience for most of the clerks. The contribution of clerking to the judges is unique, however. Despite the importance of clerks, it is not inevitable that they be part of the "hidden judiciary."