A judicial clerkship is a post-graduate opportunity to work directly with a member or members of the judiciary. Clerkship terms generally run either for one or two years and are highly competitive, depending on the level of the court, the location and the judge. The law clerk is the judge's assistant and serves at the direction of the judge. Although a clerk's responsibilities may vary depending on the court or judge, the clerkship experience provides an invaluable opportunity for new lawyers to view the inner workings of the judicial process. Rather than being merely a job, a clerkship is a continuation of one's legal education, providing the recent law graduate with many of the tools necessary for a successful legal career. A judicial clerk will not earn a large law firm salary during the clerkship, but everyone who has clerked agrees that the experience outweighs any brief monetary loss.

Nationally, about 11% of all law graduates accept judicial clerkships each year. If you are interested in serving as a law clerk, you should speak with a career counselor at the Career Development Office. Deadlines for the most prestigious federal clerkships fall in May through the beginning of September of your third year of law school. State court clerkship deadlines vary so please read the complete Judicial Clerkship Guide for more information.

Choosing a Clerkship: Federal or State Court
Judicial Clerkship Guide
Judicial Clerkship Resources

Steps to Follow When Applying for a Clerkship
2007-2008 Supreme Court Fellows Program