Clerking for a judge is a great first step after law school because:
- Judicial clerks have a unique opportunity to observe and understand the legal process from a judge’s perspective.
- Clerks sharpen their legal skills, by researching and writing for a judge and observing lawyers engaged in litigation.
- The experience judicial clerks gain increases their confidence as practicing lawyers and increases their marketability to future employers.
- Clerks are exposed to many areas of the law, which can help them select practice areas of interest.
- The position opens doors in the legal community. Judicial clerks typically develop close relationships with their judges, who can serve as important references in the future. They also become acquainted with lawyers in that community who practice before their judges.
What is a Judicial Clerkship?
A judicial clerkship is a position assisting a judge usually for a finite term of one or two years. Judicial clerkships are found in virtually every court in the nation, from the Supreme Court of the United States to county level district courts and at both the trial and appellate level. These positions, at the federal level and the state appellate level, are generally highly competitive and require superior law school credentials and a demonstration of superior legal writing skills. These positions are considered to be quite prestigious, and many new lawyers who have served as judicial clerks have found that the experience was not only one of the most rewarding of their legal careers, but that the experience opens many doors, and expands opportunities available to them at the conclusion of the clerkship.
Note: Although the names are used interchangeably, judicial clerkships should be distinguished from other law clerk positions; law clerk is often the title given to a law student who assists an attorney with research and writing duties, while judicial clerkships refer to students and recent graduates who assist judges with administrative tasks, research, and writing.
Why Consider a Judicial Clerkship?
During our annual judicial clerkship panel Justice Natalie Hudson (Minnesota Supreme Court), Judge Elise Larson (Minnesota Court of Appeals), Judge Thomas Gilligan Jr. (Second Judicial District) and judicial clerks discussed their work and what they look for in a judicial law clerk.
Judicial clerkships are among the most prestigious and competitive employment opportunities available to current law students and recent graduates. Usually lasting one to two years, a judicial clerkship is an excellent way to bridge the gap between law school and the practice of law.
Clerks at all court levels obtain unparalleled access to and knowledge about the judicial process. Additionally, a judicial clerk is exposed to a wide array of legal issues and is able to make a hands-on contribution to the judicial decision-making process. This experience and perspective are attractive to future legal employers who hire former judicial clerks for their significant legal knowledge, insider view of the court system, and ability to view cases from the court’s perspective. A judicial clerkship can provide a significant edge in the legal job market not only because of increased knowledge of the law and court system, but because of the valuable contacts and personal relationships developed during the clerkship experience.
View the 2023 and 2024 panels through Panopto. Review the Judicial Clerkship Brochure Download Judicial Clerkship Brochure provided by Justice Karl Procaccini and the Minnesota Court of Appeals By the Numbers Download Minnesota Court of Appeals By the Numbers handout provided by Judge Theodora ‘Teddy’ Gaïtas.
Can I Clerk for a Judge as a Student?
In some jurisdictions, current law students can complete a judicial clerkship, while in other jurisdictions, only law school graduates can apply. In the Minnesota Judicial Branch, positions for current law students that have completed at least one year of law school are titled Law Clerk I, and positions for graduates are titled Law Clerk.
To learn what might be available in your preferred jurisdiction, please review the Judicial Clerkships tipsheet in 12twenty.