Judicial Law Clerks

Note: This is not for CLE.  Live webinars are free and open to the public. The recorded program and materials are exclusively for ABA members.

The Career Choice Series is designed to help you choose your career path. Whether you’re a law student, young lawyer, or transitioning attorney, find out what it’s like to work in various practice areas and the best way to position yourself to get there.

Description

Clerking for a judge (whether state or federal) right after law school is a coveted position for many reasons: (1) It gives you a birds-eye view of how judges’ decisions are made which can inform your knowledge of the law moving forward; (2) You can watch great lawyers at work (or not so great ones and learn from them); (3) You will be exposed to various practice areas; (4) You’ll improve your writing skills; and (5) You’ll have a mentor for life. In short, a judicial clerkship bridges the gap between law school and practicing in private practice or the government.

Veena Iyer held two state clerkships in Hennepin County District Court and the Minnesota Court of Appeals and a federal clerkship in the Northern District of Illinois. She is now a Shareholder at Nilan Johns Lewis concentrating in labor and employment law. Clayton LaForge held federal clerkships in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and the U.S. District Court for the District of Puerto Rico and is now an associate at Latham Watkins practicing in complex trial and appellate matters.

Our speakers will discuss their experiences in state and federal clerkships after law school and how it helped them navigate their careers. They’ll provide invaluable insight into how a clerkship can set you up for your career, tips for landing a clerkship, what drew them to it, the pros and cons, and what a typical day in a judicial clerkship entails.

Speakers

Veena A. Iyer, Shareholder, Nilan Johnson Lewis, Minneapolis, MN
Clayton LaForge, Associate, Latham Watkins, Washington, D.C.

Moderator:
Liz Stone, Managing Director, The Dubin Group, San Francisco, CA

Sponsored by ABA Career Center, Young Lawyers Division, Law Student Division, and Government and Public Sector Lawyers Division

Video and Materials