A judicial clerkship remains a memorable highlight of any lawyer’s career. For those who received an offer or will begin a clerkship in September, odds are you’d welcome tips on how to hit the ground running. As former appellate law clerks, guided by the perspective of a retired appellate judge, we offer thoughts on positioning yourself for success and on how to maximize the experience.
Your first week on the job might be the most valuable. The week includes both training and transition. Formal orientation with other appellate and Supreme Court clerks addresses the mechanics of clerking, including the judicial code of conduct, standards of review, an overview of the appellate decision process, the people in the clerk’s office, and a law clerk’s responsibilities. Additionally, in chambers, outgoing clerks prepare you for the everyday work with the judge. Shadowing outgoing clerks as they finish final assignments provides “soft work,” the essential learning that occurs from small talk, passing conversations and observing another’s interactions in an office. Capitalize on your colleagues’ knowledge of the judge and the job. Feel free to ask questions regarding the judge’s preferences (should papers be stapled a particular way or fastened by paperclips; will the judge engage interns; are there words or phrases to use or avoid in your presentation). After all, the top priority is to help the work of the very busy judge run more smoothly.
