Why the Courts? The Kinds of Positions Available Examining the Financial Considerations Deciding Where to Apply Deciding When to Apply The Application Process

Judiciary Judicial Clerkships - Why the Courts? For a Unique Perspective on the Legal Profession The opportunity to observe at first hand and be a part of the court system gives judicial clerks a rare and valuable perspective on the American judicial process that will serve them well throughout their careers. The position provides unique insight into how judicial decisions are made. Clerks assist in the judicial process and sometimes influence it. They see many dimensions of the judicial system and gain an appreciation of both its strengths and weaknesses. For Finding a Mentor Students of color often miss the mentoring experience in law school if they do not form relationships with their professors outside the classroom. A clerkship can provide the ideal mentoring experience. The judge will help the clerk develop critical thinking skills by listening to, reading, and critiquing the clerk's arguments. The judge will make the clerk's thinking about lawyers' strategies and motives more sophisticated because the judge hears lawyers' arguments with a background of experience which he or she shares with the clerk. The judge can offer advice on career options and often assists the clerk in his or her job search. For Sampling Many Fields of Law and Styles of Practice Clerking not only exposes recent graduates to a variety of lawyers but permits them to appraise what areas of law interest them, what types of law practice appeal to them, and which lawyers, law firms, or agencies they might like to work for. Clerking allows law graduates to learn about areas of the law that they did not have the opportunity to study in law school, and thus rounds out their legal education. Not only do clerks get to know the temperaments and preferences of the judges on a court, they also develop firsthand knowledge of the abilities and strengths of the practitioners in the area where the court is located. This information will be very useful if they later practice in that locale. A clerkship can also be an excellent bridge between law school and law office life. For most students that transition is a difficult one. A clerkship includes components of both worlds and thus helps a new attorney make the adjustment to the world of practice. For Mastering Legal Writing and Oral Skills Law school graduates of color who want to hone their legal writing skills should seriously consider applying for a clerkship or staff attorney position. The main work of most clerkship and staff attorney programs is the preparation of legal memoranda, opinions, and other written materials for judges. Clerks or staff attorneys are usually expected to write every day, and their work is carefully reviewed by senior clerks and judges. This intensive training improves the clerk's writing skills substantially. The availability of oral discussion and analysis is less universal and depends upon the individual judge. Students who want to master oral communication skills as well as legal writing skills should seek a clerkship with a judge who uses oral briefings extensively. For Professional Contacts and Networking The networking opportunities available to clerks are extraordinary. The clerk will establish valuable contacts with judges, other clerks, and attorneys. Most of his or her fellow clerks will become lifelong colleagues. Usually clerks also get to know a number of judges and court administrators who can subsequently act as references. Trial court clerks in particular meet many practicing attorneys. For Résumé Enhancement A clerkship also carries significant résumé value. In terms of experience and prestige, a clerkship may well be the best job available to a recent graduate. The experience of working as a clerk is so valuable that a wide range of legal employers, including major law firms, public interest organizations, and government agencies, look with great favor on clerkship experience when making hiring decisions. Clerkships have special value to attorneys seeking particular types of jobs. For example, a clerkship with a respected judge is often a help in obtaining a law teaching job. Next >