Hey everyone, I hope the New Year is treating you well! So far, so good for me - I'm tan and relaxed, thanks to my first vacation since the start of law school where I haven’t brought along one law book, one case to read, or my computer. Yep, a real, unadulterated, vacation….and it was great.

But now I’m back, heading into the last months of my winter quarter and exams are starting to look like a reality. Yikes. Anyways, today I thought I would briefly write about clerkships. Clerkships are an opportunity you hear a lot about as a law student…and not a lot about as a non-law student. Basically, a clerkship is a one (sometimes two)-year position with a judge. Most judges have clerks, whether they are state or federal, trial or appellate, magistrate or Article III judges. Each judge has a preference for clerks – some prefer experience after law school, or in a specific subject area, while others take clerks right after graduation on the basis of their academic experience. No matter what judge you are applying to, however, there is stiff competition for the position. Most judges look for students at the top of their class, with Law Review experience, and outstanding letters of recommendation. Obviously the height of clerkship heaven is clerking with the United States Supreme Court. Beyond that, the competition is stiffest for positions with Circuit Courts (especially with certain circuits, such as the District of Columbia, notorious for being a “feeder court� for the Supreme Court clerk positions). Generally, positions with federal judges are more competitive than state court judges; however, even this can vary by geographical area and specific judge.

Why are these positions so coveted? First, clerkships are prestigious. People will try to tell you that the prestige did not play into their decision to clerk, however, I would be doubtful of such claims. Clerking with a judge, almost any judge, can help you land a position with a firm, or, really, with almost any job. Additionally, clerkships can show a dedication to a certain geographical area. Say, for instance, you went to law school in Boston but want to settle in Florida – a clerkship with a judge in Florida can help demonstrate to future employers your commitment to the area. Beyond the prestige, clerkships provide invaluable experience to get a sense of what it's like on the other side of the bench. The chance to see how judges make decisions is incredibly helpful to any future attorney. Additionally, the hands-on reading and writing experience is highly valued.

So, why am I writing all this, you ask? Well, it’s because even though I don’t graduate until May of 2009 (you better believe I’m counting the days), there are already some judges accepting applications for 2009-2010 clerks! And even one I found who is hiring for 2010-2011! While I don’t feel quite ready to start applying (I haven’t got letters of recommendation in order, and don’t have the time to do all the application assembly at the moment…just passing my classes is the immediate priority!), I’m already doing research on judges, checking out different courts, and thinking about where to apply. State judges, federal judges, appellate judges, oh my… A clerkship is a long shot, but I think it’s worth the effort.