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Judicial Clerkship Program

The 25th annual Judicial Clerkship Program, presented by the ABA Council for Diversity in the Educational Pipeline and the ABA Judicial Division, will be held during the ABA Midyear Meeting January 30th to February 1st, in Phoenix, AZ. 

About the Judicial Clerkship Program

The Judicial Clerkship Program (JCP) connects law students from diverse backgrounds across the nation with judges and law clerks. It educates students on the long-term benefits of judicial clerkships, offering a unique, hands-on experience over the course of three days. Participants engage in legal research, draft memoranda or briefs, and present their findings to peers, judges, and Pipeline members. The JCP is a collaborative initiative between the ABA Council for Diversity in the Educational Pipeline and the ABA Judicial Division, with generous in-kind support from sponsors. 

Judicial Clerkship Program Brochure & Participation Form - Deadline November 8, 2024

History and Purpose of the Judicial Clerkship Program

Historically, individuals from diverse backgrounds have faced barriers to serving as law clerks at the highest levels of the judiciary, including the U.S. Supreme Court. While there have been efforts to increase inclusivity within the legal profession, representation in judicial clerkships remains limited. This issue is particularly relevant considering the ABA’s Goal III, which seeks to promote the full and equal participation of all individuals in the legal profession.

Judicial clerkships provide law graduates with valuable opportunities for professional development and career advancement in areas such as academia, government, and private practice.

The Program

The 2025 Judicial Clerkship Program will be held from January 30 to February 1, in conjunction with the ABA Midyear Meeting. The program aims to:

  • Foster close working relationships between judges, law students, and former law clerks
  • Enhance students' analytical, legal research, and writing abilities
  • Improve career prospects for law students
  • Provide new lawyers with the opportunity to influence legal development

The Process

To participate in the ABA Judicial Clerkship Program, selected law schools must 

  1. Commit to paying the annual participation 
  2. Each year, send and cover the costs for up to six law students to attend. 
  3. Schools are encouraged to select a diverse group of students using criteria aligned with the ABA’s Goal III objectives. First- and second-year students who have not yet secured clerkship positions are preferred for participation.

Judges from across the country participate in the program, including Article III judges and state supreme court justices.

Hear from Past JCP Participants and Judges

 

ABA Clerkship Collaborations

The ABA Council for Diversity in the Educational Pipeline’s Judicial Clerkship Program collaborates with other ABA clerkship initiatives, including:

Diversity Clerkship Program, ABA Section of Business Law


Judicial Intern Opportunity Program, ABA Section of Litigation

Support Law Students of Color through LOSF

The ABA awards an annual Legal Opportunity Scholarship to first-year law students. The mission of the program is to encourage racial and ethnic minority students to apply to law school and to provide financial assistance to attend and complete law school. The ABA Legal Opportunity Scholarship grants 10 - 20 incoming diverse law students with $15,000 of financial aid over their three years in law school. Since its inception, more than 350 students from across the country have received the ABA Legal Opportunity Scholarship.

Learn more on the Legal Opportunity Scholarship Fund webpage. 

JCP Previous Programs

2024: Louisville, KY
2023: New Orleans, LA
2022: Virtual
2021: Virtual
2020: Austin, TX
2019: Las Vegas, NV
2018: Chicago, IL
2017: Miami, FL
2016: San Diego, CA
2015: Houston, TX
2014: Chicago, IL
2013: Dallas, TX
2012: New Orleans, LA
2011: Atlanta, GA
2010: Orlando, FL
2009: Boston, MA
2008: Los Angeles, CA
2007: Miami, FL
2006: Chicago, IL
2005: Salt Lake City, UT
2004: San Antonio, TX
2003: Seattle, WA
2002: Philadelphia, PA
2001: San Diego, CA

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