Federal Judicial Internship Help Forum

[twister93]

Has anyone had a federal judicial internship? If so, what types of questions were you asked during your interview?

Also does anyone know anything or have heard about working for judge Berman (SDNY)?

Thanks!

[foregetaboutdre]

Has anyone had a federal judicial internship? If so, what types of questions were you asked during your interview?

Also does anyone know anything or have heard about working for judge Berman (SDNY)?

Thanks!

Yes. Generally they know you're a 1L (unless this is for an externship, which could be different) so they basically "take it easy" on you. What type of law are you into? Are you into litigation? Why do you want to work in a Federal court? They ask you about your resume. You get to ask them intriguing questions like: What type of work will I get to do? etc...

Really easy experience IME. I looked up the judge on westlaw to read a full decisions beforehand. I took the internship and it was a lot of fun. Both clerks were in breaks from biglaw and they helped immensely with writing and career help. I got offered the job after a phone screener with the clerks and they gave me two weeks to say yes or no.

Here's a link to a website that is kind of like "ratemyprof," but for judges. I found the reviews of the judges in the district I was in decently accurate. Usually one or two comments fit to the judge well, the others were disgruntled people.

http://www.therobingroom.com/Judge.aspx?ID=1394

[Anonymous User]

Has anyone had a federal judicial internship? If so, what types of questions were you asked during your interview?

Also does anyone know anything or have heard about working for judge Berman (SDNY)?

Thanks!

I'd prepare like I would for a clerkship interview - think about why you want to be an intern, find out what the court's docket is like, maybe read a few decisions by the judge, seem interested and engaged while you're there, etc. Like the above poster said, with most judges it's a lot easier than a clerkship interview. You're not getting paid by the court, and, for volunteers, your first job is to learn. (Also, it's expected that interns will probably be a net drain on productivity - it's just how it works.) With my judge, getting an extern/intern interview was almost a guaranteed offer if you didn't totally check out during the interview.

[Anonymous User]

several people at CLS have interned for judge berman and I've only heard good things about his summer judicial internship