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Judicial clerkship positions are an excellent opportunity for recent law school graduates to extend their legal education and gain invaluable practical skills by working for a judge on the state or federal court level. The following is a brief overview of judicial clerkships and the application process.
What is a judicial clerkship?
Judicial clerkships are typically one- to two-year post graduate positions working for a judge in federal and state courts of general and limited jurisdiction, at both the trial and appellate levels. By working closely with a judge, clerks gain valuable behind-the-scenes perspective while being exposed to a wide range of issues and cases.
What are the job responsibilities?
While some job duties vary depending on the judge and court, a judicial clerkship is largely a research and writing position. Clerks perform research, prepare issue or case summaries, draft internal documents, observe oral arguments, and sit in on conferences. Judicial law clerks will also have the opportunity to discuss cases with the judge and draft opinions.
What does a judge look for in a judicial clerkship candidate?
Hiring criteria can vary from judge to judge. In general, an application for a judicial clerkship should reflect the candidate's strengths in research, writing, and analytical and communication skills. Judges also look for candidates who show good judgment, leadership, and the ability to work with a team. Judicial clerkships with federal or state supreme court judges are more competitive than other clerkship positions and are based largely on academic credentials and law review experience.
What is the application process?
The usual application for a clerkship consists of a cover letter, resume, official law school transcript, letters of reference from law school faculty and legal employers, and a legal writing sample. Procedures vary by judge, court, and state.
For Federal Judicial Clerkships: OSCAR is the central online resource for federal law clerk and appellate court staff attorney hiring. The web-based system allows applicants to file complete applications and recommenders to file letters of recommendation online. While many federal judges now use this system to post openings and collect applications, others still require applicants to apply directly . BNA's Directory of State and Federal Courts, Judges, and Courts (available in the CSO) provides information on federal and state court structures as well as the contact information for judges at all levels.
For State Judicial Clerkships: The Guide to State Judicial Clerkship Procedures provides information on clerkship opportunities and procedures in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Contact the CSO for username and password information.
When are the deadlines for judicial clerkships?
Federal judges are not supposed to accept applications from graduating students until the Tuesday after Labor Day of the candidate's final year of law school. However, students are encouraged to contact federal judges directly to confirm clerkship openings and deadlines. State judges have various deadlines, some as early as the May before the candidate's final year of law school. For this reason, students interested applying for a judicial clerkship should begin preparations the spring semester of their 2L Day or 3L Evening year.
Are there opportunities to work for a judge as a law student?
Absolutely. New England Law offers two judicial internship opportunities for students: the Honors Judicial Internship Program and the Summer Internship Program. Click here for more information. Students may also contact judges and courts directly using the BNA's Directory of State and Federal Courts, Judges, and Courts (available in the CSO). For a list of court websites by state, visit the National Center for State Courts website.
Interested in learning more about the judicial clerkship experience?
Judicial Clerkship Information Session
Tuesday, April 12th, 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Cherry Room
Sponsored by the Faculty Judicial Clerkship Committee
Note: The following entry was originally posted on April 9, 2009.
I emailed an alum and they answered all my questions and provided me with some good advice. Now what?
Many students are unsure on how to best follow up with a networking contact either because they don't have any other questions to ask or fear that they will be bothering the person if they email again. Don't let the relationship end with just one email exchange. Maintaining regular contact (every 2-3 months) is the most important aspect of networking. Below are a few simple ways to keep in touch:
Did you follow the advice the contact gave you? If so, then let them know. Whether they suggested a class to take, a lecture to attend, or a person to contact, let them know that you followed their suggestion, report on the outcome, and thank them.
Did you read an interesting article relating to their area of practice? Pass it along to your contact. This is a thoughtful way of proving your interest while also continuing the conversation with your contact about a particular practice area. Also let them know if you recently read an article written by them. And if you read or heard something positive about them (a promotion or award received) send along a note of congratulations.
Keep them in the loop. One of the best ways to maintain and build a relationship with a professional contact is to use quarterly markers to update them on your progress in school and/or the job search. At the end of a semester, send them a note letting them know how it went and which courses you plan on taking next. Let them know where you will be working for the summer and follow up with them again at the end of the summer to let your contact know how it went. Holidays are also good opportunities to get back in touch with people.
Remember: It's not just what a contact can do for you now, but what they may do for you in the future. By maintaining your relationship with your contacts, you are keeping the lines of communication open for future recommendations and job opportunities.
Elizabeth A. Marcus hails from Stamford, Connecticut. She was awarded a Juris Doctor from New England Law | Boston in 1997, and is a member of the Massachusetts Bar. Since completing her formal education, she has worked exclusively in the area of employment law, initially with the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination and then with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). In addition to mediating thousands of employment discrimination complaints, Attorney Marcus has completed formal mediation training with New York University School of Law and Cornell University’s School of Industrial and Labor Relations. She serves on the Greater Boston Federal Executive Board’s Diversity Committee, chairs a newly-formed Shared Neutrals Committee, and mediates cases for the Shared Neutrals Program. Attorney Marcus also performs federal sector mediations for the EEOC Administrative Judges.
1. How did you get started as a mediator with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission?
After completing law school, I worked as an investigator at the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination. From there, I moved over to an investigator position with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. While I enjoyed the neutral role of the investigator, I was making determinations of past events. The mediator position was of interest to me, because in mediation I retain the neutral role, but also work with the parties to look forward and plan future events and outcomes. As the mediator at the time became an Administrative Judge, the position opened. I first detailed to the job, meaning I was selected to try it out for 90 days. Details come up from time to time in the federal sector and are fantastic opportunities for professional development. I then competitively applied and was selected to be the mediator on a permanent basis.
2. What is a typical day like for someone in your field? I have three typical days. The first is a day with a mediation session, which typically lasts 4-5 hours. If I am in the Boston office, I spend the time around the session preparing for the case, and responding to party inquiries. If the case is in another New England location, I spend the time around the session traveling.
The second typical day is an office day. I spend my time moving approximately 130 cases through the program. I spend a lot of time on the phone educating parties and answering questions about mediation and the agency process, and then scheduling mediation sessions all over the New England area.
The third typical day is an outreach day. This may consist of educating employer or employee groups about mediation, it may consist of training people how to mediate, it may be a career forum or a brown bag lunch.
3. Are there certain personality traits candidates should have in order to do well as a mediator? To be a mediator, you have to be forward looking, moving beyond disputes of fact and law to focus on interests and options for resolution. You have to be able to put aside any personal feelings you may have on a particular issue, including issues pertaining to race, color, national origin, gender, age or disability. You also have to be “on” the entire time, so there is no room for an off day where you don’t feel like talking to people. Other traits of importance are patience, comfort with all kinds of people, and strong listening skills.
4. Were there any particular law school experience(s) that especially prepared you for this work? The skills I learned in law school and use daily as a mediator are to stay organized, focused, identify key issues, and not get distracted by red herrings. It can be far easier to get off track in a live conversation than on paper, so these skills really help. 5. What advice do you have for law students interested in pursuing a career with the federal government? First, create an account on USAJobs and apply often and early. Even if you are not ready to apply for jobs, the weekly job posting updates will give you a sense of what is out there. The application process can be daunting, but the more you do it, the better you become at navigating the system. Second, work with your career services office to identify federal employee alumni and see if you can schedule informational interviews with them. Internships in the federal sector are also helpful as agencies will be more comfortable with you knowing that you have had previous exposure to the federal sector .
Each year our office receives a number of questions from first year students regarding their job search. Below please find the answers to the most frequent questions we receive.
When do I need to start looking for summer employment?
Based on NALP guidelines, first year students are not permitted to have contact with employers prior to December 1st. In general, large law firms who hire first year students ask students to apply as soon after December 1st as possible. Government and public interest internship deadlines typically fall in January, February, and mid-March, at the latest. Mid-sized and small firms usually hire on an as-needed basis and many smaller firms do not begin to think about their summer hiring needs until well into the spring semester. Review the job search time-line included in your CSO orientation folder for a month-by-month guide to your job search.
How do most students find their jobs?
To find summer employment, you will need to do more than just apply to jobs that are posted. According the our most recent summer job survey, most New England Law students found their job through informal means, whether it was through someone they knew, networking, or self-initiated contact. All students are encouraged to schedule an appointment with a counselor as soon as possible to go over their individual job search strategy.
What if I want to do a study abroad program instead?
If you decide to participate in a study abroad program, plan on finding a volunteer or internship opportunity for when you return. Many of the study abroad programs end in the early summer, so you still have the rest of the summer to gain experience.
Are most summer internships unpaid? How do I find funding for an unpaid internship?
Of the students who reported they were employed during the summer of 2010, 43% worked in paid positions and 57% worked in unpaid positions.There are a number of resources for students seeking funding for an unpaid summer internship. Eligible students may be able to receive Federal Work Study for work with a non-profit or for-profit organization. Students working for a public interest organization during the summer should also visit the Summer Funding Resources page on the PSLawNet website for a comprehensive list of grants available.
Can I receive credit for an unpaid summer internship?
No. Credit is available only for work done through the school's clinical program during the academic year.
Will I limit my career options if I work in a practice area I am not sure I want to practice in after graduation?
No. Any legal experience you gain in the summer after your first year is valuable and will help you in finding future legal employment. Many of the skills you gain in one practice area (i.e. research, writing, interpersonal skills, etc.) can be applied to another field of law.
When do most first year students find summer employment?
There is no single time of year when most 1Ls find their jobs. Some students know where they will be working by February while others won't find something until April. Small firms will continue to look for summer law clerks throughout the late spring. Even if you have not found a job by the end of April, know that there are still employers out there looking for summer help. The first step is scheduling an appointment with a counselor in the Career Services Office. Call the office at 617-422-7229 to get started on your job search today!
The Career Services Office is located at 31 St. James Avenue (the Park Square Building) on the 3rd floor, Suite 350. All visitors must present a picture I.D. at the security desk by the elevators on the first floor upon arrival. Click here for complete directions.
The following is a blog post originally posted in February 2010.
For many law students looking for public interest work after graduation a fellowship can be the best way to gain an entry-level position with a nonprofit. While many public defender offices and legal services agencies hire new attorneys each year, many other public interest organizations do not. Fellowships typically last for one or two years and may not lead to permanent positions within the organization, however they provide new attorneys excellent training and exposure to a particular field which will make them better qualified for other positions within the public interest arena.
In general, fellowships fall into two categories: organization-based or project-based. An organization-based fellowship is sponsored by the organization for which the fellow is working. A project-based fellowship is sponsored by an outside organization and allows the fellow to work within a host organization on a specific project within a particular area of law or serving a particular community. PSLawNet provides an informative overview of public interest fellowships and is also the best resource for finding positions and sponsoring organizations.
For further information on applying for a post-graduate fellowship attend the CSO/PILA program Fellowship Application Tips, Wednesday, October 27th, 5:00pm - 6:00pm in the Cherry Room.
Richard J. Sweeney is a partner at the firm of Sullivan and Sweeney in Quincy, MA and is currently the Secretary of the Norfolk Bar Association. He is a retired Boston Police sergeant and former instructor at police academies statewide. His practice is primarily handling criminal defense matters in District, Superior and Federal Court. He began as a law clerk at his present firm while a second year law student at New England Law and rose to full partner in 2006. In addition to his other cases he has sat as second chair in several homicide cases with his partner and has successfully obtained several six figure settlements in personal injury cases for his clients. He is a 2000 graduate of New England Law | Boston.
How did you get started in this particular field?
After retiring from the Boston Police Department I wanted to stay active in the legal field and thought that being an attorney would interest me and allow me to assist others. Deciding on criminal defense was an easy choice as I was able to use the knowledge and experience gained from my years as a police officer and turn it into a strength as a defense attorney. It was one of my better decisions in my life.
What is a typical day like for a criminal defense attorney?
An active criminal defense attorney begins their day in court with hearings on motions, pre-trial conferences and/or trials. A great deal of time is also spent explaining to your client(s) what is happening in their case. Afternoons are filled with client meetings, research, and writing motions and memos for upcoming cases. It is important to keep up with the latest cases that affect your clients. A few evenings each month are dedicated to bar associations and other related activities to network and stay involved in the legal community.
Were there any particular law school experience(s) that especially prepared you for practicing criminal law?
Criminal law in particular calls for an expertise in evidence. Cases live and die on whether a piece of evidence is admissible. A course in clinical evidence is a must to gain expertise in everyday practical evidentiary issues. I also highly suggest any clinic or class that gets you on your feet and involved defending your arguments. Every new attorney needs to learn the proper foundation questions needed in court for evidence or testimony as well as the proper objections and motions needed to exclude evidence in all cases. The mediation course at New England Law also taught me some valuable lessons and the skills necessary to negotiate plea bargains and other issues. Finally, I highly suggest that you clerk for a criminal defense attorney or take a clinical class that gives you courtroom experience. I participated in the family law clinic supervised by Professor Oro that required I go to court on a regular basis and her suggestions and critiques were most helpful to me. As I transitioned from a student to a practicing attorney, Professor Oro was always available to assist me with any questions that I had. One of the best benefits of a New England Law education is that you can still reach out to the professors after graduation. They are a great resource that I continue to utilize to this day.
Are there certain personality traits candidates should have in order to do well in this field?
A desire to compete at a high level, an outgoing personality and an honest compassion for the people involved in each case.You have to be self-confident and willing to fight for your clients and ensure that their rights are protected so that they get the best possible defense. The most successful criminal defense attorneys I know are highly competitive and their backgroundS reflect that. There is also a camaraderie in this area of the law that, I believe, is unparalleled and makes it a rewarding practice.
What advice do you have for law students interested in pursuing a similar career path?
Law school alone does not prepare you for the world of practicing law in a courtroom. There are numerous forms, rules and procedures (and personalities) that will be foreign to you and the lack of real life experience can be overwhelming at times. Working in a district attorney's office as a SJC Rule 3:03 student attorney or as a law clerk with a practicing attorney is absolutely invaluable in making yourself marketable. I started in my firm as a law clerk after my second year in school. I became active in the Quincy and Norfolk Bar Associations almost immediately after passing the bar. I also stayed in touch with most of my professors after I graduated. Hard work and valuable connections made during my first five to seven years out of school helped me rise to partner and become Secretary of the Norfolk Bar Association. Networking is an absolute essential piece of your law school experience and you should use these years wisely by getting to know as many people in the field as possible. Like other firms, we have hired our associates from the ranks of our law clerks. Most jobs in small firms come from recommendations from friends and fellow attorneys. You can work yourself into a job in just a short time as an intern or a law clerk at a reputable firm.
Over the summer, our students worked for solo practitioners, large firms, state and federal government agencies, and public interest organizations. Many more also worked for prosecutor's offices, judges, in-house legal departments, and participated in study abroad programs. This year, 233 New England Law students completed the 2010 Summer Employment Survey giving us valuable information about where students worked and how they found their jobs.
Type of Experience
- 85% worked in a legal job
- 8% worked in a non-legal job
- 6% participated in a study abroad program
- 1% did not work
Of those students who were employed in either a legal or non-legal job, 43% were in paid positions and 57% were in unpaid positions.
How Students Found Employment
Most students found their job through informal means, whether it was through someone they knew, networking, or self-initiated contact. 30% of respondents found summer employment through the CSO JobNet!
- 33% found their job through the CSO JobNet or other online job posting site
- 23% found their job through a referral from someone they knew
- 16% found their job through other resources not identified on the survey
- 12% found their job by contacting the employer directly or networking
- 9% returned to a previous employer or continued with current employment
- 6% found their job through an on-campus interview, job fair, or other school program
- 1% used a placement agency or search consultant
Where Students Worked
- 76% remained in Massachusetts
- 15% worked out of state
- 9% worked internationally or participated in a study abroad program
Below are just a few of the law firms and organizations who hired New England Law students this past summer:
Boyle, Morrissey & Campo
City of Philadelphia Law Department
Clean Harbors Environmental Services, Inc.
Committee for Public Counsel Services
Consortium on Gender, Security, and Human Rights
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Goodwin Procter LLP
Greater Boston Legal Services
Jewish Family and Children's Services
Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office
Lubin and Meyer, P.C.
Massachusetts Appeals Court
Massachusetts Attorney General's Office
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection
Massachusetts Land Court
McDermott, Quilty & Miller
Medical-Legal Partnership
Middlesex District Attorney’s Office
Nasdaq OMX BX
Office of the Rhode Island Public Defender
Parker Scheer LLP
Shelter Legal Services
Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office
Superior Court of New Jersey
Truelove, Dee & Chase LLP
U.S. Army JAG
U.S. Attorney's Office
U.S. Bankruptcy Court
U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Center for Capital Markets Competitiveness
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
U.S. Office of Government Ethics, Office of General Counsel and Legal Policy
Searching for a job for the 2011 summer?
Attend one the Career Services Office's 2LD/3LE Summer Job Search Sessions!
Lunch & Discussion
Monday, 09/27/2010
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
St. James Street Conference Room Pizza & Discussion
Wednesday, 09/29/2010
5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Room 506
RSVP with the CSO.
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