<p>1) What is a Reporter of the Court and how does one apply for this position? Do you have to have a law degree?
2) What is the clerk of the court and how does one apply for this position?
3) What do court reporters do? Note: I’m not referring to stenographers who transcribe the proceedings verbatim. I’m talking about the journalists who “report” on the goings on of the court. How does this profession work?
4) Is it very different to get a job in federal courts or the SCOTUS than to get one at a local court?</p>
<p>Thank you in advance. I’d really like these questions answered.</p>
<p>The higher the court, the more difficult it is to get a position. </p>
<p>A court reporter is a newspaper reporter who write articles. They’re journalists. </p>
<p>A clerk has a JD or is in the process of getting one, and has to apply for the position through the online system. These are extremely selective positions. </p>
<p>A reporter of the court, as you call it, is a stenographer. You definitely do not need a JD for this, as it is just transcribing.</p>
<p>ThePhilosopher’s definition of a “clerk” is what would be called a “law clerk” or “judicial clerk” in most cases. The position is, in most courts, temporary (some are summer jobs, the ones you hear most people talk about are 1-2 year placements after law school). The responsibilities of the position vary highly by court and even by judge, but will generally include substantive legal research and writing.</p>
<p>The OP asked about a “clerk of the court” or “court clerk.” Those titles generally refer to administrative positions for the court, responsible for such things as certain types of record-keeping, time-keeping, taking filings and docket management. They are designed to be permanent positions.</p>
<p>PABitz is correct that there’s a difference between short-term and “career” clerks, but I believe that even career clerks generally (always?) have JDs.</p>
<p>There are some courts that have career “law clerk” positions, which would require a JD. California, in particular, uses career law clerks almost exclusively.</p>