LibGuides: Job Hunting Resources: Judicial Clerkships

Information on Judges & Courts

Directories

If you are seeking or interviewing for a judicial clerkship, use our Judicial Directories and other materials to find out more information about the judge and the court.

Judicial Directories

Litigation Analytics

You can also use litigation analytics from some of the major legal research databases to find out more information about judges.

Litigation Analytics Links

Other judicial information and statistics

Links to other information useful for judicial research

Administrative Office of the Courts Statistics
Statistics on caseloads, complaints against judges, multidistrict litigation, judicial vacancies, disposition times, types of cases in U.S. Courts.
NCSC Court Statistics Project
CSP collects and publishes state court caseload data from the courts of the fifty states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam
Bureau of Justice Statistics Court Statistics Project
Statistical Database covering state court systems.

OSCAR

OSCAR
OSCAR is the system used for federal law clerk and appellate staff attorney recruitment. Apply for federal clerkships and staff attorney positions here.

Judicial Clerkship Resources

The All-Inclusive Guide to Judicial Clerking by Abigail Perdue The All-Inclusive Guide to Judicial Clerking is a comprehensive resource ideal for current and prospective law clerks and judicial externs as well as law professors who teach judicial drafting courses or direct judicial externship programs. The book explores the purpose and function of a law clerk, the nature and structure of the judiciary, how to apply for and obtain a clerkship, and most importantly, how to perform it well. Among other things, the book explains how to draft judicial opinions, bench memos, orders, and chambers correspondence as well as how to prepare for oral argument, hearings, and trials. It also discusses judicial ethics, professionalism, confidentiality, courtroom decorum, docket management, and other issues that law clerks commonly encounter. The book breaks down complex tasks, such as opinion drafting, into a series of simple, concrete steps and provides checklists, graphical illustrations, annotated judicial opinions, and sample emails, letters, and samples of other documents that law clerks often prepare. The book also shares practical guidance gleaned from law clerks who have served judges across America. Book Review: The All-Inclusive Guide to Judicial Clerking by Abigail L. Perdue: A Must-Have Resource for Prospective Judicial Clerks and Advisors by Elyse Diamond.
ISBN: 9781634608220
Publication Date: 2017
Behind the Bench: The Guide to Judicial Clerkships by Debra M. Strauss Author Debra M. Strauss, J.D. explains all aspects of clerkships in this newly revised edition. The book includes updated information and resources as your go-to source on judicial clerkships, focusing on what clerkships are, what kind of work clerks do, why you should apply, how to find and apply for the type of clerkship that would be right for you, how to give a strong interview, and why clerkships give you stellar credentials that prospective employers will actively seek out. Behind the Bench: The Guide to Judicial Clerkships is filled with nuts and bolts advice on all elements of the application process, including building a successful application, interviewing, etiquette of offers and acceptances, and special strategies designed to help you in your quest for the perfect clerkship. To further lay the groundwork for a positive experience, this title also features a special section on how to prepare for your clerkship, as well as the code of conduct for law clerks. As an entrée into the world of the courts, this is an indispensable handbook for every law student and potential judicial clerk!
ISBN: 9781628103823
Publication Date: 2016
In Chambers: A Guide for Judicial Clerks and Externs by Jennifer L. Sheppard In Chambers is a refreshingly brief and focused book that addresses the key concepts and basic skills clerks and externs need to have on day one. It explains rudimentary tasks, such as reading a docket sheet and working with a case file, and offers detailed instructions on drafting jury instructions. Sources of authority commonly relied upon by the courts are identified for specific topics, and a helpful note-taking system is provided. Standards of review are covered in detail, including the standard for mixed questions of fact and law. Useful checklists are provided as well for drafting documents. Exercises at the end of chapters evaluate the readerand#8217;s comprehension and application of the materials. The text of In Chambers is informed by the author's own experience as a judicial clerk as well as her involvement with the externship programs at Appalachian School of Law and Mercer University School of Law. Features: Addresses key concepts and basic skills that clerks and externs need to have on day one Explains rudimentary tasks reading a docket sheet working with a case file Offers detailed instructions on drafting jury instructions Identifies sources of authority commonly relied upon by the courts in specific areas Provides a helpful note-taking system Explains standards of review in detail includes standard for mixed questions of fact and law Includes checklists for drafting documents Features chapter-ending exercises evaluate the reader's comprehension apply materials to real situations Informed by author's experience served as a judicial clerk involved in the externship programs at Appalachian School of Law and Mercer University School of Law
Call Number: General Collection - 2nd Floor KF8807 .S527 2012
ISBN: 9781454802891
Publication Date: 2012
Judicial Clerkships by Mary Dunnewold; Beth Honetschlager; Brenda Tofte Judicial Clerkships: A Practical Guide is a comprehensive guide to working as a judicial clerk. The book explains (1) the role and duties of judicial clerks, (2) how to adapt the writing style used in law school classes and journals for use in the judicial clerkship setting, and (3) the form and content of specific documents written by judicial clerks. The book discusses how to write bench memoranda, opinion drafts, orders, findings of fact and conclusions of law, jury instructions, and letters and other professional correspondence. In addition to explaining how to write specific documents, the book reviews the fundamentals of good writing, research, and citation. It also features chapters on how to apply for clerkships, the different kinds of clerkships, and the ethical responsibilities of clerks. The document-specific chapters all include document review checklists and sample documents. The book is a great resource for law students taking a judicial internship or externship class, law school graduates considering judicial clerkships, and current judicial clerks.
Call Number: Office of Career and Professional Development KF8807 .D86 2010
ISBN: 9781594606410
Publication Date: 2010

Handbooks & Manuals

Law clerk handbook : a handbook for law clerks to federal judges. by Federal Judicial Center
Publication Date: 2007-
Federal District Court Law Clerk Handbook by Calvert G. Chipchase
ISBN: 9781590318898
Publication Date: 2007
Federal Appellate Court Law Clerk Handbook by Joseph L. Lemon
Call Number: General Collection - 2nd Floor KF8807 .R86 2007
Publication Date: 2007

More information on Judicial Clerkships

ABA Judicial Clerkship Program
The ABA Judicial Clerkship Program (JCP) introduces diverse law students from around the country to judges and law clerks.
NCSC State Court Employment
Provides information on state court clerkships
NALP Judicial Clerkshiip Resources
Information from the National Association for Law Placement on judicial clerkships

Pence Law Library Guides

Job Hunting Resources: Judicial Clerkships