Behind the Bench: The Guide to Judicial Clerkships

Behind the Bench: book on judicial clerkships

The Judicial Clerkship Experience
Clerking for a Trial Court
Clerking for an Appellate Court
Other Functions of a Law Clerk
Types of Clerkships
“Elbow” Law Clerk
Staff Attorney or Court Clerk
Pro Se Clerk
Term versus Permanent (or Career Clerk)
Temporary Clerkships
A Judicial Internship or Externship
A Virtual Clerkship Experience -- NEW! (3rd ed)

4. An Overview of the Courts

Federal Courts
U.S. Supreme Court
U.S. Court of Appeals
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces
U.S. District Court
U.S. Magistrates
U.S. Bankruptcy Court
Specialty Courts
State Courts
Administrative Agencies
International Courts / Other

5. Choosing a Court That’s Best for You

Type of Court – Federal versus State
Level of Court – Appellate versus Trial Court
Geographical Location
Specialized Subject Matter – Types of Cases
Financial Considerations
Prestige of Court / Competitiveness
Some Interesting Statistics From Your Peers
A Personal Note

6. Choosing a Judge Who’s Best for You

Ideology and Background
Judicial Style / Personality / Atmosphere in Chambers
Types of Cases and Amount of Work / Tasks of the Law Clerk
Reputation of the Judge / Prestige
Mentor Relationship
Demographic Characteristics of the Judge
Clerkship Term
Special Status of the Judge
Chief Judges
Senior Judges
New Appointees
Supreme Court Feeders
Connection to the Judge
Connections to Your Law School
Connections to Your References
Personal Connection to the Judge
More Interesting Statistics From Your Peers
A Final Note on These Criteria

PART III:
THE NUTS AND BOLTS

7. Building a Successful Application

Submitting the Application: OSCAR
The Timing of the Application
The Elements of the Application
The Number of Applications
The Cover Letter
The Resume
Letters of Recommendation
The Writing Sample
The Transcript

8. Interviews, Offers, Acceptances, and Alternate Outcomes

The Clerkship Interview
Scheduling the Interviews
Communications with Chambers
Preparation for the Interview
Dress Code
The Content of the Interview
Sample Questions a Judge May Ask
The Importance of Chambers Staff
Sample Questions to Ask the Judge and Clerks
A Note on Virtual Interviews -- NEW! (3rd ed)
An Offer at the Interview
Thank You Letters and Follow Up
Costs of the Application and Interviewing Process
Offers and Acceptances
The Risk of “Exploding” Offers
The Etiquette of Acceptances
Alternate Outcomes: Encouraging Another Try
The Evaluation Process
The Random Factor / Element of Fate
Changing Your Outcome: Renew Your Strategy and Apply Again
Clerking a Year or More After Law School

9. What Do Clerks Earn?

Clerkship Salary
Federal
State
Citizenship Requirement
Financial Differential
Financial Assistance and Loan Deferral
Shorter Clerkship Term
Working Elsewhere for a Year First
Clerkship Bonus
Seniority Credit and Advancement
Non-Monetary Benefits

10. Preparing for Your Judicial Clerkship

The Value of Your Clerkship
Working Relationships, Attitude, and Atmosphere
The Law Clerk’s Bible
Ethical Considerations
Law Firm Offers and Bonuses
Bar Exam and Graduation Requirements
Research and Writing Tips
Feedback for Others

11. The Ultimate Prize: Clerking for the U.S. Supreme Court

Feeder Judges
Sample Lists of Supreme Court Feeder Judges
Historic Feeder List (2015-2016) -- NEW! (3rd ed)
Current Feeder List (2016-2023) -- NEW! (3rd ed)
Post-Clerkship Work Before Applying
Apply More Than Once
How to Apply
Comments From a Supreme Court Clerk
A Note on the Supreme Court Fellows Program
Information on the Supreme Court and Justices

12. Lessons and Advice Directly from the Judges

“Lessons from a Clerkship”
“Clerking in the Chambers of a Magistrate Judge”
“On the Impact of a Clerkship Experience”
"Insights from Judges in a Variety of Federal and State Courts"

PART IV:
RESOURCES FOR PROSPECTIVE JUDICIAL CLERKS AND THEIR LAW SCHOOLS

13. Tools for Research: Where to Look For Information on Courts, Judges, and the Like

The Best Resources
Printed Sources
Directories of Contact and/or Background Information on the Judges
Clerkship Availability and Application Information
Judicial Nominations and Confirmations
Additional Reading on Courts and Clerkships
On-line Sources
Other Computer Resources for Directories, Judicial Opinions, and News
LEXIS-NEXIS®
WESTLAW®
People to Consult
Conclusion

14. Minorities, Women, and Clerkships

The Demographic Reality
Toward the Goal
Innovative Programs
Law Schools
Bar Associations
The Judiciary
Specialized Resources
Organizations to Consult
Student Organizations
American Bar Association Activities
Women and Ethnic Groups
Strive for Diversity

APPENDICES

A. Proper Forms of Address
B. The Federal Courts by Circuit, District, and Location
C. Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees
D. The National Judicial Clerkship Study: Executive Summary and Action Plan
E. Data on Minorities, Women, and Clerkships from the National Judicial Clerkship Study
F. Law Schools: The Ways You Can Help Your Students

G. Going Above and Beyond . . . Resources for Further Reading! -- NEW! (3rd ed)

*For ABBREVIATED TABLE OF CONTENTS, click here.

Official Table of Contents to download from the Publisher: TOC

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