Participating Judges

Participating judges will determine their process for interviews and selection. Students will be forwarded to judges based on qualifications and the result of their screening interviews. Not all students will be granted a judicial interview. Students will be sent to judges in the locations they indicate on their application. Students may select location but not individual courts. Certain locations are more competitive than others.

Application Process

First Round Interviews

First round interviews will be conducted either in person where the student attends law school, or by telephone.
The interviewer (or assistant) will contact the student to set up an interview time and place.
Students will be contacted once their application has been processed and a screener has been selected.
The interview will last approximately 30 minutes and is intended to give the student the opportunity to discuss program qualifications, skills, experience and interest in being an intern.
Only students applying to the program by the stated deadline will be granted a screening interview.
First round interviews are guaranteed to the first 500 applicants. Additional applicants will be interviewed on an as-needed basis.

Judges’ Interviews

Candidates will be sent to judges based on qualifications and the results of their screening interview. The most qualified applicants will be sent out for review first.
Certain locations are more competitive than others. Students will be sent on for judicial interviews to locations they selected on their application however not all students will be sent to all locations selected because of the competitiveness of locations.
Individual judges will determine which students they will interview and ultimately hire. If a student has been selected for a judicial interview they will be notified either by the chamber or the program staff.
Student materials will be sent to multiple judges. Once a student is notified that they are being sent out for judicial review, we will continue to send out their materials to interested judges until all positions are filled in the locations they have selected.
Most judicial interviews will be conducted in person in the judges’ chambers in the city selected for the internship. They usually last approximately 30 minutes. If personal interviews are not possible, they may be conducted by telephone. Please remember that there is no reimbursement for any travel expenses.
A small number of judges elect not to conduct interviews and will make offers based on the application and results of the screening interview.
Judicial interviews will continue until all judges have filled their positions.
Some judges may offer positions during the interview. If a student is offered a position, they must either accept or decline within 24 hours. If a student has individual constraints on their summer availability they should let the judge know prior to scheduling an interview. Judges will determine the length of the internship and many judges expect students to stay longer than the six week minimum.
If a student declines a position, they will be removed from consideration for other positions unless there are extenuating circumstances.
Students may not accept more than one program position.

Final Selection of Interns

Judges are expected to conclude their selection process by May 1
At that time all applicants will be notified as to whether or not they have been accepted into the program. If a student is accepted into the program, it is assumed that they are committed to participate and fulfill the requirements outlined by the program and hiring judge.

Program Orientations

Welcome receptions and program orientations will be held in Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Miami, Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Seattle and Washington, DC in June. Students are expected to attend the program orientation. In addition, supplemental programming will be made available to students. Students are strongly encouraged to attend these programs.

Follow Up Procedures

Upon completion of the internship, students will be asked to complete a program evaluation form. Interested students may join a JIOP alumni group to work on future program development.

Contact Information

Questions about the program can be directed to the Program Director, Gail Howard, at gail.howard@americanbar.org or 312-988-6348.

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