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?
Members of the Mitchell Hamline Judicial Clerkship Committee describe what a clerkship is, why you might want one, and how to prepare for the opportunity now. Presenters: Professors Joanna Woolman and Steve Aggergaard.
Watch the information session.
Judicial Clerkship Panel
During our annual judicial clerkship panel Justice Lillehaug (Minnesota Supreme Court), Judge Halbrooks (Minnesota Court of Appeals), and Judge Browne (Fourth Judicial District Court) discussed their work and what they look for in a judicial law clerk.
Minnesota Supreme Court and Court of Appeals Clerkships
MN Supreme Court application deadline for 2022-2023 term – April 11, 2021
Minnesota Judicial Branch Info Sheet – Supreme Court Clerkship 2021-2022 term
MN Court of Appeals application deadline for 2022-2023 term – July 25, 2021
Minnesota Judicial Branch Info Sheet – Court of Appeals Clerkship 2021-2022 term
More information can be found on the Minnesota Judicial Branch site and Symplicity.
Researching judges
Find profiles of judges on the following pages:
Fourth District Judges (serving Hennepin County)
Second District Judges (serving Ramsey County)
Find judge profiles in other counties
For more opportunities, review the resources below:
Minnesota Judicial Branch Employment Opportunities (including District Court clerkships). Complete a job interest card to receive email notifications regarding available career opportunities.
National Center for State Courts Job Postings
Federal Judicial Clerkships
Federal law clerk recruitment website – OSCAR (Online System for Clerkship Application and Review
Coursework
Judicial Writing: Preparing for a Judicial Clerkship
This course focuses on developing the writing abilities of prospective judicial law clerks. The class and its assignments span the life of a case, from reviewing the record and legal briefs; to researching and writing a bench memorandum; to drafting, revising, and cite-checking an opinion. The focus is on both style and substance of judicial writing, as compared to legal writing of advocates. The course also features weekly guest speakers (both former clerks and current judges), creating opportunities for prospective clerks to learn the style of the judges and courts that they will serve as well as appreciate the value of a clerkship to their careers as practicing attorneys. Students are not required to have secured a judicial clerkship to participate in the class, but preference will be given to 3L/4L students who have secured a clerkship following graduation.