New York State Supreme Court of Judicature (Albany) Certificates of Clerkships J0104

New York State Supreme Court of Judicature (Albany) Certificates of Clerkships

Some content may contain outdated and offensive terminology. See: New York State Archives Statement on Language in Descriptive Resources

Overview of the Records

Repository:

New York State Archives
New York State Education Department
Cultural Education Center
Albany, NY 12230

Summary:

This series contains documents relating to clerkships served by persons who eventually would seek admission to practice as attorneys in the Supreme Court of Judicature. Records concerning law clerkships include certificates stating that a student began a clerkship and setting the term of the clerkship; affidavits of clerkship applicants; certificates attesting to the clerk's moral character; reports of examiners on whether individual candidates passed; and related documents.

Creator:

New York (State). Supreme Court of Judicature (Albany)

Title:

Certificates of clerkships

Quantity:

7.7 cubic feet

18 boxes

Inclusive Dates:

1809-1847

Series Number:

J0104

Arrangement

Chronological by year and court term, then alphabetical by name of clerk.

Scope and Content Note

Records concerning law clerkships include certificates stating that a student began a clerkship and setting the term of the clerkship, affidavits of clerkship applicants, certificates attesting to the clerk's moral character, reports of examiners on whether individual candidates passed, and related documents.

This series contains documents relating to clerkships served by persons who eventually would seek admission to practice as attorneys in the Supreme Court of Judicature. A typical file includes the following documents: certificate of attorney of the Supreme Court stating that a student commenced his clerkship on a certain date; certificate by a Supreme Court justice setting the term of clerkship, and reducing it up to four years for time spent in classical studies; affidavit of applicant for clerkship, describing the course of study he offers in place of up to four years of clerkship, with allowance of time by a justice; certificate of instructor stating length of time the applicant was a student; and certificate of attorney of the Supreme Court stating that the applicant has served his clerkship for a certain term of years and attesting to his good moral character. The affidavit describing the course of study often lists subjects taken or textbooks read.

Occasionally there are found appointments of examiners; certificates of examiners stating names of individuals who have been found qualified to be admitted to practice as attorneys or counsellors; reports of examiners on whether individual candidates passed; and calculations of fees and of months spent in classical studies. On the dorso of each document is the name of the clerk and the date of filing, which is soon after the examination.

The rules regarding clerkship and admission to practice as an attorney in the Supreme Court of Judicature were adopted by the court in the October term, 1797, and amended in 1803.

Related Material

J1104 New York State Supreme Court of Judicature (Utica) Certificates of Clerkships, contains the bulk of the Utica certificates

J2104 New York State Supreme Court of Judicature (Geneva) Certificates of Clerkships, contains most of the Geneva certificates

J0126 New York State Supreme Court of Judicature (Utica) Motions, contains related records

J0130 New York State Supreme Court of Judicature (Albany) General and Special Term Minute Books, contains lists of attorneys and counselors admitted to practice in the Supreme Court (not indexed to clerk's name)