Are judicial clerkships prestigious?
Usually, you have 1) a Supreme Court, 2) appellate courts, and 3) trial courts, with the state Supreme Court clerkship being the most prestigious. Just as certain federal district courts in various geographical locations are considered prestigious places to clerk in, so too are the state courts in various states.
Are clerkships competitive?
All federal clerkships are competitive. That said, some are more competitive than others. Generally speaking, the Supreme Court and most Courts of Appeals clerkships are extremely competitive. The most competitive Court of Appeals circuits are the Second, the Ninth and the D.C. circuits.
How competitive is a Supreme Court clerkship?
Only 36 SCOTUS clerkships come up for grabs each year. Only the brightest and very, very best need apply. Over a thousand who consider themselves in this category (and have letters of introduction from distinguished law professors and others to back them up) do so every year.
Are clerkships hard?
It does have a steep learning curve, long hours, and it is probably the hardest Shelf of the year…but in the end, it is all worth it.
Why are judicial clerkships good?
A judicial clerkship provides the opportunity to hone research and writing skills while being exposed to a wide variety of legal issues. Furthermore, a clerkship offers insight into the judicial process and provides practical familiarity with the litigation process.
Do Supreme Court law clerks have too much power?
Second, Supreme Court clerks may exercise an undue amount of authority. It is difficult to assess how much power Supreme Court clerks have. I suspect that answer varies based on the Justice, and his or her age. Specifically, as Justices get older, and their faculties decline, they will rely more and more on law clerks.
Are judicial externships competitive?
Summer externships are increasingly popular and competitive. For most federal courts and state appellate courts outside Sacramento, it is best to plan to have all application materials mailed out by December 1st and to try to interview over winter break.
Is judicial clerkship hard?
It is an extremely competitive process and it can be very difficult to even land an interview with a federal judge. The process is extremely formal, with specific start and end dates for the application process that are uniform for all judges.
Are clerkships worth it?
Most lawyers change jobs during their career, and having a clerkship shows that you are a highly capable lawyer, improving your value regardless of the type of work you do. And, you will be more competitive for postgraduate fellowships, scholarships, internships, and government honors programs.
What do judges look for in clerks?
It varies. Some judges place great emphasis on grades, and grades are important, but they are not the most important factor for all judges. “I always make a Final decision after a personal interview, and, on balance, I prefer applicants who are well-rounded and have the ability to get along with other people.