U.S. Court of Federal Claims Clerkships: How Hiring Works, Chamber by Chamber
Short answer: the U.S. Court of Federal Claims has 16 authorized judgeships, and its judges hear money claims against the United States nationwide (CFC FAQ). Each chambers sets its own hiring rules, and they differ widely. Judge Holte hires three one-year clerks and usually hires 2 to 3 years ahead (Judge Holte's employment page). Judge Tapp hires two-year clerks and usually hires 6 to 18 months ahead (Judge Tapp's employment page). Always start with the individual judge's employment page.
Fast facts
- Court size: 16 judges by statute, with one designated chief judge; senior judges are not counted among the 16 (CFC FAQ).
- Judicial terms: judges serve 15-year terms (CFC FAQ).
- Jurisdiction: nationwide; judges may hear cases anywhere in the United States (CFC FAQ).
- Vaccine program: eight special masters in the Office of Special Masters decide Vaccine Act claims and serve four-year terms (Office of Special Masters).
- How to apply: follow each judge's employment page. Several chambers take applications by email.
Judge Holte
- Hires three one-year term law clerks each year, starting in the fall (Holte employment page).
- Usually hires 2 to 3 years before the start date.
- Accepts applicants who will start right after law school or after 1 to 3 years in practice.
- Packet: cover letter, resume, writing sample, law school transcript, and two recommendation letters, at least one from a law professor.
- Apply by email to [email protected] or by paper application sent through USPS.
- Hires law clerks for two-year terms, starting in the fall (Tapp employment page).
- Usually hires 6 to 18 months before the start date.
- Packet: cover letter, resume, writing sample, and transcript or grade sheet, combined into one PDF, sent to [email protected].
- Prefers the top 25% of the class with law review or equivalent writing experience.
- Citizenship requirements and an extensive background investigation apply.
Some chambers also post internship details. For example, Judge Lerner described in-person summer internships of about 30 to 40 hours a week (Lerner employment page). An internship is one of the best ways into this small court.
What the work is like
- The court hears primarily money claims against the United States, including contract claims, bid protests, military and civilian pay, tax, Indian claims, takings, congressional reference cases, vaccine injury, and patent and copyright claims; its main jurisdiction is the Tucker Act, 28 U.S.C. section 1491 (CFC FAQ).
- With 16 judgeships, the court is small, and chambers are small too. Ask in interviews how drafting is split among clerks.
- Clerks and applicants compare the CFC with district court clerkships in Fed Claims vs Dist Court vs Give Up?.
- Strong fit: government contracts, bid protests, federal litigation, or DOJ Civil Division goals.
- Also useful: as a first clerkship before a district or circuit clerkship. Ask in the forum how others have sequenced it.
- Timing trap: because some chambers hire years ahead and others months ahead, you may need several application waves. Compare the Federal Law Clerk Hiring Plan dates used by Article III chambers.
- Open every judge's employment page from the CFC website and record term length, lead time, and materials.
- Build a base packet: cover letter, resume, writing sample, transcript, and two or three letters.
- Tailor the cover letter to federal-claims interests such as contracts, takings, or tax.
- Send each packet in the requested format, such as one combined PDF or separate files.
- Track each chambers' lead time so you do not miss an early-hiring judge.
- Court of Federal Claims (the main TLS thread on CFC clerkships)
- Fed Claims vs Dist Court vs Give Up? (choosing between the CFC and district court)
- Questions about Court of Federal Claims
- Ask a new question in the Judicial Clerkships forum.
Q: Is the Court of Federal Claims an Article III court?
No. Its judges are appointed to 15-year terms rather than for life (CFC FAQ).
Q: How far in advance do CFC judges hire?
It varies by chambers. Judge Holte usually hires 2 to 3 years ahead, and Judge Tapp usually hires 6 to 18 months ahead (Holte; Tapp).
Q: Can practicing lawyers apply?
Yes. Both chambers above accept applicants who will start after 1 to 3 years in practice (Holte; Tapp).
Q: Can I clerk for a special master?
The Office of Special Masters is part of the court and decides vaccine claims (Office of Special Masters). Check the court's employment pages for current special-master law clerk postings.
Related guides
- All specialized clerkships
- U.S. Tax Court clerkships
- U.S. Court of International Trade clerkships
- Clerkship Directory home
