Table of Contents
- Should I do a clerkship?
- If yes, Federal or State?
- If Fed, appellate or trial?
- If State, appellate or trial?
Should I do a clerkship?
CONSIDERATIONS
What is a clerkship?
- Work directly with judge
- Focus on research and writing
- Lasts for 1-2 years
- Bridge between school and practice
Range of Opportunities:
- Federal and state courts
- Appellate and trial courts
- Specialty courts (tax, water, housing, probate, land)
Pros:
- Gain unique perspective on legal profession
- Establish long-term mentoring relationship with judge
- Master legal research, writing and analytical skills
- Cultivate professional contacts and network
- Sample various fileds of law and styles of practice
- Improve career marketability
- Entry-level opportunity
Cons:
- Public sector salary
- Slow pace/too academic
- Lasts for 1-2 years
- Work environment
If yes, Federal or State judicial clerkship?
CONSIDERATIONS
Academic Standing:
- Federal/state requirements?
- Law journal membership
- Research and writing honors
- Other academic honors
Prestige:
- Federal over state
Workload:
- More cases at state level
- More complexity at federal
Application Deadlines:
- For federal deadlines, see the Online System for Clerkship Application and Review (OSCAR) at https://oscar.symplicity.com/.
- State deadlines vary widely
Financial:
- Federal versus state salary
- Interview/relocation costs
- Costs of living differences
Location:
- Preferences/obligations
- Future practice
- Investigate legal community
Career Goals:
- State or federal practice?
- Get to know local attorneys
If Federal, appellate or trial court?
CONSIDERATIONS
Pace:
- Trial involves people/facts
- Appellate more academic
Prestige:
- Appellate over trial
- Competitiveness
Career Goals:
- Trial for litigation
- Appellate for teaching, appellate practice
Application Deadlines:
- See the Online System for Clerkship Application and Review (OSCAR) at https://oscar.symplicity.com/
If State, appellate or trial?
CONSIDERATIONS
Pace:
- Trial involves people/facts
- Appellate more academic
Prestige:
- Appellate over trial
- Competitiveness
Career Goals:
- Trial for litigation
- Appellate for teaching, appellate practice
Application Deadlines:
- Deadlines vary
- Some deadlines start in spring of second year