In mid-January, I had the privilege of interviewing Judge Heather A. Welch, Chair of the ABA Judicial Division, for her thoughts on the longstanding Judicial Clerkship Program sponsored by the Division and the ABA Council for Diversity in the Educational Pipeline (on which I serve). I had the pleasure of first getting to know Judge Welch through the ABA Business Law Section. What follows is a summary of the interview, with thanks to Judge Welch for her time, her thoughts, and her inspirational message.
Judge Welch’s Background, and What She is Doing Now
Judge Welch served for 23 years as a state trial judge in Indianapolis. She handled primarily civil and complex business cases and, with another colleague from Indiana, created the Indiana Commercial Courts, now an important part of the Indiana state court judicial system.
A highlight for her, as a judge, was the opportunity to mentor young people as externs and summer clerks. She estimates that she did so with approximately 120 law students.
She also has very much enjoyed teaching legal writing at Indiana University, McKinney School of Law. She views that opportunity as one where, beyond the legal writing, she can assist law students in figuring out where they may best fit into the legal profession.
And, excitingly, since February of 2024, Judge Welch has been a professional neutral with JAMS, a leading ADR provider. She loves serving as a mediator and an arbitrator, while continuing to serve as a Senior Judge for 30 days a year.
Judge Welch’s Involvement with the Judicial Clerkship Program
Judge Welch recounted that she first got involved with the Judicial Clerkship Program (the “JCP”) at the urging of several of her then-judicial colleagues, including Judge Toni Clarke and Justice Frank Sullivan. Justice Sullivan, she said, described the JCP as “one of the best programs you can get involved in.” That was in 2012. Her enthusiastic involvement and support continue, 13 years later.
Her Views on What She Has Found Most Fulfilling Participating in the JCP
Judge Welch again sounded the theme of working with the JCP law students to guide them and help them with resume review and other “soft skills.” She emphasized providing real-life feedback, and how fulfilling it is to see that the students find the feedback to be very, very helpful.
Other Benefits Provided to JCP Student Participants
Judge Welch highlighted the importance of networking as a part of the legal profession. She underscored the opportunity of JCP student participants to network with lawyers and judges, so that all involved can comfortably get to know one another. She shared an example of encouraging JCP student participants to introduce themselves to Judge Michelle Childs, who was in attendance as a keynote speaker. She said that they did so, and that Judge Childs warmly welcomed them, listened to them, and gave them sage advice.
The Impact of the JCP in Enhancing Diversity in the Legal Community
Without any hesitation, Judge Welch shared her view that the JCP undoubtedly has enhanced diversity in the legal community. She noted numerous former JCP student participants who have gone on to serve as judicial law clerks, have become lawyers, and now are considering becoming a judge. Regarding a diverse bench, she said “it should look like the people we serve.”
A Growing Network for Current and Former JCP Student Participants
Judge Welch observed that, importantly, there is an informal network of current and former JCP student participants. She noted that the Judicial Division flags job opportunities for current JCP student participants – typically judicial clerkships. She also noted that there are quarterly Zoom meetings during the year after the students participate in the JCP, keeping lines of communication open for continuing support and development. And she said that the Judicial Division has a JCP LinkedIn group that also promotes helpful engagement.
Getting the Word Out to Promote the JCP, and to Encourage Participation
Judge Welch identified ways in which current and former judges as well as current and former JCP student participants are getting the word out to promote judicial and law student participation in the JCP. Regarding current and former judges, she emphasized the importance of one-to-one vouching for the program and shameless encouraging of involvement in the JCP (as she experienced). In regards to current and former JCP student participants, she applauded students returning to their law schools and encouraging other students to apply through their law schools for participation in the Program. Finally, she noted how important it is for current and former judges to encourage law students to apply and, once in the Program, to continue to succeed as a member of the legal profession. She shared a refrain heard from some law students and the response from her and others: “Well, I don’t think I’m smart enough. I don’t think I can get a job as a judicial law clerk”. And we say, ”That’s not true. So here’s what you need to do.“ And I think that, with that message, they leave with a lot of confidence.
Thanks to Partners Within the ABA
Judge Welch was quick to compliment – and thank – Judicial Division staff and staff of the Council for Diversity in the Educational Pipeline for all of their year-to-year, day-to-day assistance in supporting the JCP and its participants. And she is so grateful to all of the judge and lawyer volunteers in the Program – this year 24 full-time volunteers and 12 part-time volunteers at the ABA Midyear Meeting. She emphasized the valuable perspective that judges and lawyers share with the JCP student participants.
Closing Thoughts
In wrapping up the interview, Judge Welch urged judges from any and all courts to get involved with the JCP because they can and will make a difference not only for the law student participants but also for themselves. She shared, “This is a great way that you can give a small amount of your time, and you can make a difference, and the students are so grateful.” And she reiterated: “It’s important to remember this program was created to make sure that we have judges in the various systems across the U.S. that reflect the people we serve. Having that diversity, no matter what that diversity is, is important.”