Judicial Clerkships

Judicial Clerkships

Bridging the Gap Between School and Practice

Judicial clerkships provide law students with the kind of experience that can help them land that perfect job. A clerkship can be an ideal bridge between school and the practice of law.

Unfortunately, some people believe that only the top students are selected for clerkships, and that clerking at any level below the Court of Appeals is pointless. See Should I Apply? for the real story.

Benefits of a Clerkship

The hours are long but judicial clerkships offer deep rewards. The benefits vary depending on duties, which in turn depend on the type of court and the judge involved. They may include:

• Diversity of experience. Clerks are often exposed to a wide variety of cases in several areas of the law. This experience is golden when you sit down to write your resume.
• The opportunity to develop a close relationship to a lawyer/judge, who may serve as a mentor.
• Exposure to the other side of the bench before pursuing a career as a litigator.
• Improved writing skills.
• Insight into what makes a good brief, a persuasive argument, and a good lawyer. Learning what a judge does and does not want to hear from a lawyer is invaluable.
• Familiarity with both the basics of law and a large number of specialty areas.
• Confidence in your own decision-making ability and legal knowledge
• Exposure to many attorneys who practice in the location where you intend to practice. Exposure translates into contacts for future employment.

Most clerkships run from 1 to 2 years. Salaries range from the thirties to mid-fifties. If you join a firm following your clerkship, you generally will be considered a second-year, third-year, or mid-level associate -- depending on your clerkship -- and your salary will reflect that seniority.

Some firms provide a substantial clerkship sign-on bonus. Most provide information on bonuses and class credit in the "Salary/Stipend Explanation" section of their NALP form, which can be found at www.nalpdirectory.com/.