Judicial Clerkships
A judicial clerkship is a one- or two-year position with a judge following law school. Judicial law clerks responsibilities include legal research, drafting memoranda and court opinions, and administrative tasks.
Considering a Judicial Clerkship
At all levels of the court system, a judicial clerkship provides a strong foundation for your career because the experience gives an inside perspective on how the court system works and hones analytical, legal research, and writing skills. Moreover, a clerkship is a prestigious credential that opens doors to future career opportunities. Finally, as a judicial law clerk, you’ll develop a close working relationship with a judge who can become a mentor throughout your legal career.
Making Yourself a Strong Candidate
While the clerkship application process does not begin until the summer after your second year, you can do a variety of things to make yourself a strong candidate, such as:
- Strengthen your skills in legal analysis, research, and writing through courses and job opportunities
- Extern with a judge prior to the end of your second year of law school
- Cultivate strong relationships with professors and legal employers, which will serve as references in your application
- Study hard since many judges consider academic performance when selecting a judicial clerk
- Become a member of a law journal to improve your writing skills and because many judges give significant weight to law journal membership
- Participate in moot court and/or mock trial competitions. These programs sharpen your analytical and communication skills
- Network! There are numerous opportunities to meet judges through information sessions, receptions, bar association events, Inns of Court, and courses. Take advantage of these opportunities to get to know judges and the qualities they value in their law clerks.
Past Judicial Law Clerks from Colorado Law
Colorado Law is fortunate to have a number of recent graduates who have agreed to serve as resources to current students who are interested in judicial clerkships. Please contact Career Development if you are interested in talking with one of these volunteers.
Additional Information
The Colorado Law Judicial Handbook and other useful judicial clerkship resources are available on CDOnline in the Document Library. The Judicial Handbook provides information on the clerkship and internship hiring practices of Colorado judges. In addition, our office and the Wise Law Library have hard copy resources to assist you with the judicial clerkship application process.
Advice on Judicial Clerkships
We work with a faculty committee to assist students in seeking clerkships in Colorado and nationwide. Members of Colorado Law’s Judicial Clerkship Committee include: Associate Professor of Law Carolyn Ramsey. The committee assists students and alumni with the judicial clerkship application process. In addition, feel free to seek advice from other Colorado Law administrators and faculty.
