A poorly written cover letter or a cover letter with errors will result in the applicant not receiving an interview. Cover letters should be no more than one page. It is important that a member of the Professional Development staff review judicial clerkship cover letters before they are sent. A cover letter should indicate the applicant's interest in a judicial clerkship during a specific hiring cycle including the month and year the applicant is available to begin work and should include information that the judge will need to evaluate such as academic success including the ability to research and write , interest in or connection to a particular geographic area, and availability for interviews, including any trips planned to the area.
Many applicants are tempted to explain why they want a judicial clerkship and how the clerkship experience could benefit them. Instead, the cover letter should focus on why the candidate is interested in the specific court, specific judge, specific geographic area or specific area of law if the court has limited jurisdiction , and the attributes that the candidate possesses that would make him or her a successful judicial clerk.
If it is possible to simply change the name of the judge and send a cover letter to multiple judges, the letter is not specific enough and should be rewritten to specifically express interest in the particular clerkship opportunity. Remember, the judge will receive many applications and can only choose a small number of clerks.
An applicant's cover letter should stand out as expressing genuine interest. Applicants are also tempted to describe themselves as possessing "excellent research and writing skills. Instead of simply stating ability, demonstrate it through examples of experiences that have developed those skills. Describe achievements instead of just stating attributes.
Letter 1: I am uniquely qualified for the position of judicial clerk. I have excellent writing and research skills and hope to further develop them through the clerkship experience. This letter would not stand out from other letters and does not give the judge any useful information with which to evaluate this candidate. Letter 2: My experience as a research assistant to Professor Smith helped me to hone my research skills.
I reviewed the recent changes to Title VII and the impact those changes had on the ability of employees to sue their employers for hostile environment sexual harassment.
My research revealed that the changes in the law significantly affect the time that employees have to file claims, and I expressed this result in a written memorandum of law. This letter is much more specific and uses examples to illustrate the point. This type of letter is much more effective. Take special care in addressing cover letters. Use the form of address appropriate for the particular judge.
Letters of application are formal and should show proper deference to the judge by stating the judge's title correctly. The following are guidelines for correctly addressing cover letters:. Resumes should be conservative in style and should list education and experience in reverse chronological order.
They should not be longer than two pages and should be error free. A resume should include experiences that illustrate research and writing skills such as a law review note being selected for publication; any other publications; and jobs, pro bono experience, and internships at which the applicant conducted research, wrote legal memoranda, or prepared legal documents.
Resumes should include community service or interests and activities that would help the judge get a sense of the applicant as a person. Remember, the judge is not just hiring an employee.
Judicial clerks work closely with the judge and personality fit is as important as credentials. A resume should give a sense of who the applicant is and what interests him or her. Applicants should have their resumes reviewed by Professional Development before sending them.
It's important to have a fresh pair of eyes check errors and to make sure that educational and professional experience is described in a way that best illustrates its value. While the cover letter is really the first writing sample, judges also want to see an official writing sample, which illustrates legal analysis ability.
When choosing a writing sample, keep in mind the functions of a judicial clerk. Clerks are called upon to evaluate a factual and legal situation, research applicable law, analyze the factual and legal situation in light of the law, and reach a conclusion. A writing sample should reflect these abilities.
Appropriate writing samples include a law review article, a moot court brief, a paper written for a law school course, or a memorandum from a summer clerkship. Applicants who submit material created for an employer must get the employer's permission first. A writing sample should be pages long. The judge's time is valuable, and it is not appropriate to ask him or her to read a lengthy writing sample.
An excerpt of a longer work is fine, but be sure to identify it as such. It's also a good idea to attach a cover page to an excerpt listing a few key facts and giving some context to the piece. All writing samples should include a cover page with the applicant's name, address, and the purpose for which the writing sample was created. When submitting a paper from a class, always send a clean copy, removing the professor's name, the date of the assignment, and any other such information from the top of the paper, and when submitting an assignment from work, remove the name of the assigning attorney, etc.
Be sure to read it carefully for grammatical and spelling mistakes and for citation errors. It is a good idea to have a friend read over it to be sure to catch all mistakes. Most judges will accept an unofficial transcript, but some may request an official transcript. Unofficial transcripts include photocopies of official transcripts and printouts from Insite. When using an Insite printout, be sure to type contact information at the top because no name appears on Insite transcripts. Judges generally require three to four letters of recommendation.
Letters should be from law school faculty and legal employers who can thoughtfully comment on the applicant's research and writing ability, intellectual abilities, and potential as a lawyer. Applicants should select individuals who can speak specifically to their abilities.
A letter from a well-known figure may carry a great deal of weight, but not if that person does not know the applicant and cannot truly comment on his or her ability. Avoid letters of recommendation written "To Whom it May Concern. When requesting letters of recommendation, be sure to allow sufficient time for references to prepare a letter. It's a good idea to provide each reference with a current resume and a brief note explaining clerkship preferences and plans.
Be clear about expectations of when the letter should be ready. It is the applicant's responsibility to pay for postage and to ensure that letters are sent. There are two ways to handle this. Either provide addressed, stamped envelopes to references and simply check back to be sure the letters were mailed, or include all letters of recommendation in the application packet.
If including all letters in the application packet, provide an envelope to each reference and ask that he or she seal the letter of recommendation inside the envelope and sign the seal. Once an applicant has made the resume cut and is selected for an interview, the focus shifts from the applicant's credentials to issues of "fit. Interviews are typically conducted in the judge's chambers, allowing the judge and all support staff to form impressions about the candidate.
It is critical that candidates treat all members of the judge's staff with respect. Clerks come and go, but permanent staff members that have a long-standing relationship with the judge are often viewed as indispensable and can have a great deal of influence on the judge's decision. Interviews will last anywhere from a few minutes to an hour or longer.
Some judges will ask candidates to speak about two or three legal issues about which they feel strongly. Become familiar with recent or noteworthy cases that have either gained national attention or have come from the judge's court.
Get familiar with the judge's opinions, dissents, and personal history to try to anticipate areas that the judge may be interested in discussing. If possible, talk to people who have interviewed with the judge before to get a sense of what the judge might ask.
Candidates should expect questions on how a clerkship fits into their long-range career goals. Before interviewing, candidates should give some thought to why they are interested in a clerkship, why they are interested in the particular court, and why they are interested in the particular judge, and be prepared to answer questions about these choices.
Answers should express a genuine interest in the specific clerkship for which the candidate is interviewing and should show that the candidate has done some research on the court and on the judge. This court also has jurisdiction over appeals from the Court of International Trade, U. Court of Federal Claims, U. As with the circuit judges discussed above, these judges are appointed for life by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate.
This court sits in Washington, D. Students with backgrounds in engineering, science, mathematics, or previous work experience in these fields are ideal clerkship candidates. Formerly the Court of Military Appeals, this court exercises world-wide appellate jurisdiction over court-martial cases involving United States military personnel. As the website states, cases on the docket address a broad range of legal issues, including constitutional law, criminal law, evidence, administrative law, and national security law.
The five judges of the U. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces are civilians appointed for year terms by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. The court is located in Washington, D. District Courts are the general trial courts of the federal court system with jurisdiction to hear nearly all categories of federal cases, including both civil and criminal matters.
There are 94 federal judicial districts, including at least one district in each state, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Three territories of the United States the Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands have district courts that hear federal cases as well.
Except for the judges for the three territorial courts, district judges are appointed for life by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. These judges sit in various courthouses within the federal judicial districts. Judicial clerks within this court are exposed to a wide variety of criminal and civil cases at all stages of litigation.
Magistrate Judges are judicial officers appointed to serve in a U. District Court for a term of eight years. Although these judicial officers officially "report" to the district court judges, the role of U. Magistrates in the adjudication of civil cases has expanded so that they now have judicial responsibilities similar to those of district court judges. Since U. Magistrates cannot conduct trials for felony criminal cases, the workload is more civil than criminal. The specific responsibilities of U.
Magistrates vary by court look in the court's local rules for details , but some of the typical duties include the following: serving as a judge for the trial of civil cases when all parties consent; ruling on pretrial motions; conducting pretrial and discovery proceedings; serving as special masters in civil cases; deciding dispositive motions by issuing a "report and recommendation" for the district judge to approve; issuing search warrants upon findings of probable cause; and conducting preliminary hearings in criminal cases.
Bankruptcy Court has exclusive jurisdiction over bankruptcy cases and therefore handles the petitions of all individuals and companies seeking bankruptcy relief. However, this court's caseload involves much more than standard bankruptcy law issues.
Complex issues of commercial law contracts, secured transactions and negotiable instruments , consumer law, and real estate law are often related to the debtor's case.
Bankruptcy judges are appointed by a majority of judges on the court of appeals for a term of 14 years. Each federal judicial district has a bankruptcy court that sits in the same general location as the U. District Court.
Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims is an intermediate appelate court with exclusive jurisdiction over the decisions of the Board of Veterans' Appeals on the motion of claimants. Additionally, many courts of appeal hire staff attorneys, and these positions provide great experience at the appellate level, but are generally less competitive than clerking for a federal circuit judge. While there are certainly similarities among the circuits in the types of cases heard, different circuits also often hear different kinds of cases.
For example:. Active circuit judges generally hire three clerks for a one-year term. Chief judges may hire four clerks, and senior judges may hire one or two, depending on the size of the caseload they maintain.
Some federal judges at both the circuit and district level , however, have begun hiring career, or permanent, clerks to fill one slot in their chambers, which reduces their need for limited-term clerks.
Appellate clerks generally have no contact with attorneys or parties in cases before the court. After oral arguments, if the judge is assigned to write the opinion, the clerk will usually be asked to write a first draft, which the judge will revise and edit. In some chambers, however, the judge writes the first draft, and the clerk is asked to comment, edit, and provide additional research. If the judge is not writing the opinion, the clerk may be expected to read and analyze the circulating draft opinion, offer advice on whether the judge should join the opinion, offer suggestions for change, or write a draft of a concurring or dissenting opinion.
The amount of advice a clerk is asked to render on these opinions varies with the judge. Federal district judges generally hire two clerks. Chief judges may hire three clerks, and senior judges may hire one or two clerks depending on their caseload. While many district judges hire clerks for a one-year term, they increasingly are requiring a two-year commitment from their clerks.
The hallmark of the district court clerkship is variety. District court clerks are in daily contact with attorneys and parties proceeding without counsel. They do many of the things appellate court clerks do i.
In addition, district court clerks are heavily involved in the discovery process. In those cases that do reach trial, the clerk will generally attend the trial and all related hearings. If there is a jury, the clerk may be involved in the preparation of jury voir dire and jury instructions. In civil bench trials, the clerk will often draft findings of fact and conclusions of law. The clerk also may be asked to participate in sidebar conferences on disputed evidentiary issues.
In criminal cases, clerks are likely to be involved in the evaluation of sentencing recommendations under the Federal Sentencing Guidelines. The highest state court is the court of last resort for disputes concerning the interpretation of state statutes, state constitutional law and state common law. Every year, Wisconsin Law grads enter clerkships with the Wisconsin Supreme Court and other state courts , and report back that these are wonderful experiences.
Not all state appellate courts hire law clerks, but the Wisconsin Court of Appeals generally hire a few law clerks each year.
For Wisconsin, these positions are generally posted on the Wisconsin Courts website. State trial courts try a wide array of cases. These positions tend to hire much later than other courts, but they are great opportunities to observe and work on a broad range of trial matters, and network with the local bar.
The U. Bankruptcy Court has exclusive jurisdiction over bankruptcy cases. Bankruptcy Court Clerks review cases, draft memoranda of law and answer attorney questions regarding court procedures and policies.
For more information, visit www. The Armed Forces Court of Appeals has worldwide jurisdiction over active-duty members of the armed forces, and anyone else subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
There are five civilian judges, who are appointed to year terms by the President. The Court sits in Washington, D. The Federal Circuit Court of Appeals has jurisdiction over international trade, government contracts, and patents. The majority of its cases involve administrative law, intellectual property, and monetary damages against the United States Government. This court seats seven permanent judges, and two temporary expansion judges. It is headquartered in Washington, D. The Court of Federal Claims hears primarily money claims founded upon the Constitution, federal statutes, executive regulations or contracts with the United States.
There are currently 17 judges on the Federal Claims bench, which sits in Washington, D. The Court of International Trade hears civil actions arising out of United States customs and international trade laws. There are currently 14 judges on the International Trade bench, which is located in downtown Manhattan, New York City. The Tax Court addresses suits regarding disputes in tax deficiency, as well as estate and gift taxes, and other tax-related issues.
There are 19 judges appointed to the tax court, and each judge usually employs three clerks. These clerks receive the experience of a trial court within the specialized field of tax. The Tax Court usually seeks applicants that are within the top third of their class, and who have taken and excelled in tax-related courses. Many clerks are hired while enrolled in an LL. Tax Program. The federal government employs over 1, judges in various administrative agencies who hear cases pertaining to their particular agency.
Some of these judges employ law clerks. Law clerks who serve many judges, or an entire court, are commonly referred to as "staff attorneys," "staff counsel," or "pro se law clerks.
The duties and responsibilities of a staff attorney vary by court, but may include reviewing motions, appeals and correspondence particularly where at least one party is appearing without counsel , preparing memoranda, and assisting in case management and settlement.
The length of service for these positions varies by court. Tribal Courts Some states have tribal courts that hire law clerks, although funding for such positions tends to be quite limited. Postings can often be found in the newspaper Indian Country Today. Students will gain access to OSCAR on February 5, to register for an account, upload documents, search for clerkship positions, and build online applications.
The system will store these applications and release them to judges on June 15, Participating judges will not seek or accept formal or informal clerkship applications, seek or accept formal or informal recommendations, conduct formal or informal interviews, or make formal or informal offers before June 15, A judge who makes a clerkship offer will keep it open for at least 48 hours, during which time the applicant will be free to interview with other judges.
Participating judges will reconsider their participation after June Judges will not seek or accept formal or informal clerkship applications, or seek or accept formal or informal recommendations, before pm EDT on June 14, Judges also will not directly or indirectly contact applicants, or schedule or conduct formal or informal interviews, or make formal or informal offers, before pm EDT on June 15, Judges will not seek or accept formal or informal clerkship applications, or seek or accept formal or informal recommendations, before pm EDT on June 13, Judges also will not directly or indirectly contact applicants, or schedule or conduct formal or informal interviews, or make formal or informal offers, before pm EDT on June 14, After June , participating judges will reconsider the length of time a clerkship offer must remain open.
Not all clerkships are filled through the regular hiring cycle. Some judges prefer to hire later in the process so that applicants have a more developed record. Additionally, new judges are appointed to the bench periodically and need clerks without much lead time for hiring. At least at the federal level, many potential judges start to consider applicants for clerkships, at least informally, in the period between when they are nominated by the President and when they are confirmed by the Senate particularly in the more narrow period between their committee hearing and their full vote by the Senate.
During this period, they obviously have no official authority to hire clerks, so be aware that they have to be very careful and hypothetical about considering potential clerks. Indeed, some nominees never are confirmed, so any clerkship plans they make may become moot.
Many judges are also quite interested in hiring clerks with a few years' work experience after they graduate. Therefore, if you decide that you want to clerk at a later date, be sure to check all the resources mentioned in these clerkship materials, along with the other Career Services Job Search tools.
A clerkship may be a wonderful way for you to transition from one job to another. You can track federal judicial vacancies, nominations, and confirmations through the following websites:. Should you have any issues OCPD is happy to assist. Some judges will still accept paper applications, however, this practice varies.
Some students have found that if a judge is willing to accept paper applications, they are most successful when both a paper and an OSCAR application is submitted.
In addition, information on the Courts can be found at wicourts. State Trial Clerkships are also posted on Symplicity. Watch Symplicity for dates. Your cover letter should be individually addressed to each of the judges to whom you are applying. Sample address formats can be found here. It should be brief and to the point, stating that you are a student at the University of Wisconsin Law School and that you wish to apply for a clerkship for a specified term.
Note: judges tend to categorize their clerkship opportunities by terms corresponding to academic years. Thus, a one-year clerkship starting in September of and ending in August of would be considered as being for the " term. However, if you are interested in both one- and two-year clerkships, make sure you do not state that you are applying for the term because judges with two-year clerkships may eliminate you from consideration.
Instead, state that you are applying for a clerkship "beginning in In a transmittal cover letter, particularly those where you are not applying via OSCAR, you should state in your cover letter what you are including as enclosures e. If you are enclosing a writing sample without an explanatory cover sheet, you should briefly state the context of the writing sample e.
However, certain information about your qualifications and experiences is helpful. You may want to briefly explain the following in cover letters:. See sample cover letters here PDF. Nearly all judges will want to see your most current law school transcripts, and many will want to see your undergraduate transcript, too. Unless specifically stated, assume that unofficial transcripts are sufficient. You will also need to manually update this with new grades as you receive them.
Your writing sample should be the best legal writing you have done. Unless a judge specifically asks otherwise, a sample pages long is generally sufficient.
A writing sample should showcase your ability to evaluate complex facts and law and reach a conclusion. Appropriate writings samples can include memorandum or briefs from legal research and writing courses, a moot court brief, memorandum or briefs from a summer position provided it was your work alone, and with the permission of your client and supervisor!
All writing samples should include a cover page with the applicant's name, address, and the purpose for which the writing sample was created.
When submitting a paper from a class, always send a clean copy, removing the professor's name, the date of the assignment, and any other such information from the top of the paper, and when submitting an assignment from work, remove the name of the assigning attorney, etc.
Be sure to read it carefully for grammatical and spelling mistakes and for citation errors. It is a good idea to have OCPD read over it to be sure to catch all mistakes. Letters of recommendation should come from law school faculty or legal employers who can thoughtfully attest to your research, writing, and analytical skills.
They are a critical component of your application.
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