Department of Legal Research

The Department of Legal Research in the Office of the Executive Secretary of the Supreme Court of Virginia serves the trial judges of Virginia, both district and circuit, in a law clerk capacity. We operate within the traditional, historically and legally recognized, judge-law clerk relationship.

Therefore, the work we do in this role is privileged and confidential. The role of the law clerk is to assist in the deliberative process in the manner desired by the judge. Thus, the work of the law clerk is necessarily confidential.

In light of this role, the Department of Legal Research cannot provide legal advice or legal assistance to members of the public, nor can we discuss the work we do as law clerks for Virginia's trial judges.