Coveted for the unparalleled exposure they provide to the inner workings of the state and federal judicial systems and for the close professional relationships they inspire, judicial clerkships are a great way to begin a legal career. Judicial clerkships are post-graduate jobs with a judge, court, or administrative agency. Term clerkships typically last one to two years, while career clerkships are indefinite. Judicial clerkships are available at a variety of state and federal appellate, trial, and specialty courts. Term clerks often work closely with one judge, although in some courts a clerk may work with a panel of judges.<\/p>\n
Clerking can offer the opportunity to start building your career in a new legal community, or to experience a different city or region for a year or two. It can boost your applications for future opportunities, including government, law firms, public interest, and legal academia. Clerking will continue to open doors for you throughout your career. Our judicial clerkship program assists our students in identifying appropriate clerkship opportunities, and with all stages of the application and interview processes.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n Law clerks conduct research on matters before the judge, prepare bench memos (summarizing the arguments in a case and often making a recommendation to a judge), draft jury instructions, draft orders and\/or opinions, and attend court proceedings such as oral arguments or trials.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n The experience you gain while clerking will be valuable for the rest of your legal career. Clerking offers the opportunity to work immediately on cases with real consequences and to tackle challenging (and sometimes novel) legal questions in an intellectually stimulating job, enhancing your research, writing, and analytical skills. <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n For federal clerkships, many judges follow the voluntary Federal Law Clerk Hiring Plan and begin considering applications from rising 3Ls during June of the preceding year. Some judges accept applications even earlier, while others hire later in the year. For state clerkships, the timeline varies by state. Typically, state courts hire between 2L spring and 3L fall, but some state courts hire even earlier or much later.<\/p>\n Many federal judges use a hiring website called OSCAR (the Online System for Clerkship Application and Review). You can make an account and start applying through OSCAR during 2L spring. Other federal judges accept applications by email or mail. State courts may accept applications by mail, email, or online portal.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n 1. Subscribe to our clerkship emails<\/a> for more announcements and resources!<\/p>\n 2. Attend the CDO\u2019s clerkship info sessions during the fall or spring semester, court career treks, events on campus with visiting judges, and more events.<\/p>\n 3. To discuss your specific clerkship goals and start planning your applications, schedule an appointment with Emily Bruemmer<\/a>, the CDO\u2019s clerkships advisor.<\/p>\nCLERKSHIP FAQ<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
What do law clerks do?<\/h4>
Why should I consider clerking?<\/h4>
\nAs a clerk, you will gain unique insight into a decision-maker\u2019s perspective, which will improve your advocacy skills. You will become familiar with various areas of law, legal procedure, and courtroom practice. This can help you decide what type of law you want to practice or develop an expertise in a particular area. You may gain a mentor or mentors for the rest of your legal career. Check out the CDO\u2019s Clerkship Spotlight Archive<\/a> for more reasons to clerk!<\/p>\n<\/div>\nWhat is the clerkship application process like?<\/h4>
How can I learn more about clerkships?<\/h4>