State Court Clerkships Forum

[Crash32]

This seemed like a useful post from last year to keep tabs on movement of state court clerkships. I don't have much information, except I have two classmates that have been offered NH SC and offers have gone out for the NC Bus Ct. I am planning to apply to state appellate divisions in the SE, particularly VA, NC, and SC. Anyone heard anything from these states?

[Anonymous User]

This seemed like a useful post from last year to keep tabs on movement of state court clerkships. I don't have much information, except I have two classmates that have been offered NH SC and offers have gone out for the NC Bus Ct. I am planning to apply to state appellate divisions in the SE, particularly VA, NC, and SC. Anyone heard anything from these states?

You better get a move on. Four of the seven Supreme Court of Virginia Justices have hired. I'm not sure about the Court of Appeals of Virginia judges, but I know they usually interview around this time.

[Crash32]

You better get a move on. Four of the seven Supreme Court of Virginia Justices have hired. I'm not sure about the Court of Appeals of Virginia judges, but I know they usually interview around this time.

good to know. thanks

[Anonymous User]

I cannot speak to the states you mentioned, but I have previously interned at the D.C. Court of Appeals (D.C.'s highest court) and from what I noticed when I was there, the application timeline is pretty random. Your best bet is to call each judge's chambers and ask if they are still accepting applications (we used to get numerous calls like that) or their hiring time line. Sounds taxing but its much easier than emailing. If you feel like you do not want to give out your name, you can ask without giving your info (although I think its much easier to establish a rapport with whoever picks up so they can pull you app from the stack, but that's just my two cents)

[Anonymous User]

NC Bus Ct.

Somewhat unrelated: does anyone have any insight as to how specialized state court clerkships like this (other than Delaware Chancery) are viewed by employers in other geographical areas, particularly federal judges?

[sportsaholic763]

After what year in law school are state court clerkships feasible to receive? Or are they generally reserved for soon-to-be or recent grads?

[A. Nony Mouse]

After what year in law school are state court clerkships feasible to receive? Or are they generally reserved for soon-to-be or recent grads?

You have to have graduated - these are full-time jobs, although usually term positions (1-2 years). There's some confusion because law firms sometimes hire law students to positions called "law clerks" during law school. But a judicial clerkship is a post-grad position - you can intern for a judge during law school, but that's referred to as an internship (or externship if you're getting school credit) and isn't quite the same experience.

(Caveat: I have seen the occasional state trial court "law clerk" position that only requires 2 years of law school completed, but they were very much administrative positions, mostly managing the court's calendar/docket, as opposed to the positions usually referred to as clerkships, which are for post-grads to work one-on-one with a judge on legal research and drafting of opinions/orders.)

[Geist13]

After what year in law school are state court clerkships feasible to receive? Or are they generally reserved for soon-to-be or recent grads?

You have to have graduated - these are full-time jobs, although usually term positions (1-2 years). There's some confusion because law firms sometimes hire law students to positions called "law clerks" during law school. But a judicial clerkship is a post-grad position - you can intern for a judge during law school, but that's referred to as an internship (or externship if you're getting school credit) and isn't quite the same experience.

(Caveat: I have seen the occasional state trial court "law clerk" position that only requires 2 years of law school completed, but they were very much administrative positions, mostly managing the court's calendar/docket, as opposed to the positions usually referred to as clerkships, which are for post-grads to work one-on-one with a judge on legal research and drafting of opinions/orders.)

a) where I work, there are 2 and 3Ls who work as actual clerks for local trial judges. Its not common, but I know a couple people who have done it.

b) state level trial clerkships have a strong administrative component. managing schedules and calendars and fielding phone calls from attorneys/the public is a big part of the job. I cannot imagine a trial level clerkship that is only research/order drafting as you describe.

[Anonymous User]

Anyone else interested in Washington (state) or Colorado SSC and CoA movement?

[Anonymous User]

Anyone hear from Los Angeles Superior Court?