By Erica L. Morris
Law Career Development Graduate Fellow
“Behind every great judge is his or her law clerk.”
Career Tracks Series*: Why should you be thinking about a clerkship?
A clerkship is many things. It is a great legal experience. It is a great networking opportunity. It is a great resume booster. More than anything, it is an experience that will benefit you for a lifetime. A clerkship is also one of the best jobs lawyers could ever have in their early career. There are many different types of clerkships including federal, state, and administrative.
As a law clerk, you work individually with a judge. This opportunity allows law clerks to gain insightful knowledge on how a judge thinks, analyzes cases, and works behind the scenes. A law clerk performs legal research and writing in order to assist the judge in evaluating his or her cases. Typically, law clerks are expected to draft bench memos, opinions, orders, and law clerks similarly are expected to proofread the judge’s legal writings. In doing such work, a law clerk is able to develop his legal research and writing abilities and refine her legal analytical skills. A law clerk is also exposed to the legal research and writings of practicing attorneys. A law clerk is able to witness the behavior of legal professionals both inside and outside the courtroom and learn what is expected of a practicing attorney in terms of his or her performance, ethics, and mannerism. Overall, clerkships help law clerks to become better lawyers.
Furthermore, this is a front row seat to the inner working of the court systems. For example, for a trial court clerkship, a law clerk will be exposed to numerous oral arguments, court hearings, case management conferences, trials, and meetings with counsel. A law clerk may be required to assist with court proceedings and case managements by handling communications between the judge and counsel.
How does a clerkship benefit your long-term career?
A clerkship is an experience that will benefit you in your career. A clerkship typically lasts for one or two years. Historically, a clerkship begins soon after graduation, but the modern trend is that judges prefer to hire clerks with prior legal experience. For young attorneys, this provides a cushion period where law clerks can explore career possibilities, network, and apply for permanent associate attorney positions to begin after the clerkship period is complete. Many law firms specifically aim to hire those who have clerked under a judge because of the extensive experience and knowledge law clerks gain from it. This is especially true for large law firms. However, law clerks may go on to careers in government or public interest. “For some jobs, such as work in the Department of Justice or as a federal prosecutor, clerking is a de facto prerequisite. Clerking is also a common route into the legal
academy.” A clerkship will never leave your resume, and it will always be a bargaining chip for future career opportunities.
When Should You Be Thinking of Applying?
Now! Judges typically hire their law clerks well in advance of the actual start date. Others hire on a sporadic, rolling basis with little time to complete applications as an opening occurs. Getting your application materials set early allows you to track openings and to apply with short turn around, maximizing your chances of landing the clerkship of your dreams.
To learn more about the clerkship application process,
schedule an appointment with Andrea Loh in Law Career Development.
*The Career Tracks Series provides information on accessing common legal employment tracks. Keep a look out for new installments on this series. If you would like us to focus on a specific career track for a future installment, contact Law Career Development.
