Judicial Clerkship Program
A judicial clerkship is one of the most prestigious and valuable experiences available to a recent law graduate. Judicial clerks gain inside knowledge of how parties pursue actual cases and how judges resolve legal issues. They receive exposure to substantive law and procedure while developing their research and writing skills.
Vanderbilt Law School’s Judicial Clerkship Program provides support throughout the process and has enjoyed great success in securing clerkships at all levels of the judicial system.
A judicial clerkship is one of the most prestigious and valuable experiences available to a recent law graduate. Judicial clerks gain inside knowledge of how parties pursue actual cases and how judges resolve legal issues. They receive exposure to substantive law and procedure while developing their research and writing skills. They also have the opportunity to build a mentoring relationship with an experienced judge and a professional network with fellow and former clerks that will extend well into their legal careers.
Clerkships are available at all levels of the federal and state court systems, as well as with more specialized courts such as bankruptcy and tax courts. The process for obtaining a clerkship is extremely competitive, but Vanderbilt Law provides expert support throughout, boasting exceptional outcomes year over year. Vanderbilt is currently ranked 9th among U.S. Law Schools as the best for Federal Clerkships by Princeton Review.
Each year, all 1L and 2L law students are invited to general information sessions about clerkship opportunities, held by program directorMichael Bressman, which cover the courses and extracurricular activities that help prepare a candidate for a judicial clerkship, the contents of applications, and the clerkship application and interview process and timing.
Professor Bressman personally meets with each interested student individually.
Students and Vanderbilt Law graduates receive guidance throughout the application process, including assistance in completing and submitting their application packages and preparing for interviews. Some judges prefer to hire clerks with one or more years of work experience; Vanderbilt's Clerkship Program supports graduates who wish to seek a clerkship as well as current students.
“Clerkships are a one-stop shop for new lawyer training. As a clerk, you're uniquely positioned at the right hand of the judge, managing cases, researching disputed legal issues and drafting opinions. Perhaps most importantly, you get an insider's look at what makes a good lawyer, which will prepare you for a law job of any type, whether you're headed to a firm, a nonprofit organization or the government. When you start your next job, you'll already know what a judge is looking for."
During the four-year period from 2018 to 2021, Vanderbilt 3Ls and alumni secured 111 clerkships, including 101 clerkships with Article III judges. Graduates have also clerked at federal bankruptcy courts, at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Services, at the Delaware Court of Chancery and at other specialty courts as well as at state Supreme and appellate courts.
Vanderbilt Law ClassTotal Graduates% Federal ClerksRank Among U.S. Law Schools20232006.0%28th202217810.7%9th20211928.9%13th202018016.1%5th20192097.7%17th
"If you are a clerk aspirant, there’s hardly a better place to be than Vanderbilt. Professor Bressman has a near-encyclopedic knowledge of federal Judges throughout the country, and it seemed like he began prepping us for clerkships from day one."
Executive Summary
Vanderbilt Law School's Judicial Clerkship Program is a highly successful initiative that supports students and graduates in securing prestigious judicial clerkships. The program offers comprehensive guidance, from general information sessions to individual meetings with the program director, and assists with application packages and interview preparation. With a strong track record of securing clerkships, including 111 positions from 2018 to 2021, Vanderbilt ranks among the top U.S. law schools for federal clerkships. The program emphasizes the value of clerkships in providing insider knowledge of the legal system, developing research and writing skills, and building professional networks.
Key Points
- ▸ Vanderbilt Law School's Judicial Clerkship Program provides extensive support for securing clerkships.
- ▸ Clerkships offer valuable experience and professional development for law graduates.
- ▸ The program has a strong track record, with 111 clerkships secured from 2018 to 2021.
- ▸ Vanderbilt ranks among the top U.S. law schools for federal clerkships.
- ▸ Clerkships provide insider knowledge of the legal system and enhance professional networks.
Merits
Comprehensive Support
The program offers extensive support throughout the clerkship application process, including general information sessions, individual meetings, and assistance with application packages and interview preparation.
Strong Track Record
The program has a proven track record of securing clerkships, with 111 positions obtained from 2018 to 2021, demonstrating its effectiveness and the quality of its support.
Professional Development
Clerkships provide valuable experience and professional development, including insider knowledge of the legal system, enhanced research and writing skills, and the opportunity to build professional networks.
Demerits
Competitive Process
The process for obtaining a clerkship is extremely competitive, which may limit the number of students who can secure these prestigious positions despite the program's support.
Work Experience Requirement
Some judges prefer to hire clerks with one or more years of work experience, which may disadvantage recent graduates who lack such experience.
Expert Commentary
Vanderbilt Law School's Judicial Clerkship Program exemplifies the critical role that institutional support plays in securing prestigious judicial clerkships. The program's comprehensive approach, including general information sessions, individual meetings, and assistance with application packages and interviews, ensures that students and graduates are well-prepared to navigate the competitive clerkship application process. The program's strong track record, with 111 clerkships secured from 2018 to 2021, underscores its effectiveness and the quality of its support. Moreover, the emphasis on the value of clerkships in providing insider knowledge of the legal system, developing research and writing skills, and building professional networks highlights the broader implications for professional development in the legal field. The competitive nature of the clerkship process and the preference for candidates with work experience are notable limitations, but the program's success demonstrates the potential for other law schools to adopt similar initiatives to enhance their students' professional prospects.
Recommendations
- ✓ Other law schools should consider adopting comprehensive clerkship support programs to enhance their students' prospects of securing judicial clerkships.
- ✓ Policy makers should encourage and support professional development opportunities for law graduates, recognizing the value of clerkships in providing insider knowledge and professional networks.
