U.S. Court of International Trade Clerkships: Hiring Policies and Timing
Short answer: the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) is an Article III court with nationwide jurisdiction over civil actions under the customs and international trade laws (CIT homepage). Each judge hires his or her own law clerks, and appointments last from one to four years, averaging two (CIT employment page). Several CIT judges hire years in advance, so read each judge's page before you apply.
Fast facts
- Court type: Article III, nationwide jurisdiction over customs and international trade matters (CIT).
- Judges: the court's judges page lists 13 active and senior judges, led by Chief Judge Mark A. Barnett (CIT judges page).
- Term length: at least one year and no more than four years, with two years the average (CIT employment page).
- Qualifications: the Judicial Conference standards, meaning top third of the class, law review editorial board, an LL.M., or equivalent proficiency (CIT employment page).
- How to apply: each judge's page under Hiring Policies.
- Senior Judge Restani: hires each year for one- to two-year clerkships starting in the fall; asks for cover letter, resume, undergraduate and law school transcripts, and two references (Restani page).
- Judge Laroski: asks for cover letter, resume, law school transcript, three recommendation letters, and a writing sample; notes an interest in international trade (Laroski page).
- Judge Kelly: states she has hired law clerks from fall 2024 through fall 2029 (Kelly page).
- Judge Choe-Groves: states she has hired clerks through fall 2028 and is considering applications for one position running from winter 2027 to 2029 (Choe-Groves page).
- Senior Judge Eaton and others: check each page for current status (Eaton page; all CIT judges).
Who should apply
- Students and lawyers aiming for international trade, customs, sanctions or export controls, or trade-remedy litigation at firms or agencies.
- Applicants who want an Article III clerkship with a specialized docket and a small court.
- People open to hiring timelines that start well before the usual Article III calendar. Some chambers are already booked years ahead.
- Open each judge page from the CIT judges list and note term dates, hiring status, and materials.
- Prepare two versions of your cover letter: one for trade-focused judges and one general.
- Use a writing sample on administrative law, statutory interpretation, or trade if you have one.
- Line up two or three recommenders early; one chambers asks for three letters.
- Consider a CIT internship if a judge lists intern openings.
- U.S. Court of International Trade (the most-visited TLS thread on the CIT)
- Court of International Trade
- Clerkship at the U.S. Court of International Trade
- Ask a new question in the Judicial Clerkships forum.
Q: Is a Court of International Trade clerkship an Article III clerkship?
Yes. The CIT is established under Article III (CIT homepage).
Q: How long is a CIT clerkship?
Between one and four years, and two years on average (CIT employment page).
Q: Do CIT judges use OSCAR?
Follow each judge's hiring policy. Several judge pages describe their own application materials and timing.
Q: Do I need trade experience?
No, but some judges note an interest in international trade (Laroski page).
Related guides
- All specialized clerkships
- Court of Federal Claims clerkships
- U.S. Tax Court clerkships
- Clerkship Directory home
