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Judicial ClerkshipsJudicial Clerkships are a key credential for your future practiceof law—no matter what the area of legal specialty. Many USCLaw graduates win coveted berths as judicial law clerks tofederal and state judges. By beginning their legal careers in ajudge’s chambers, and taking on these prestigious clerkships,USC Law graduates find themselves in the enviable positionof being later courted for a wealth of amazing careeropportunities in both the public and private sectors. It’scommonly noted that a judicial clerkship can help acceleratea young attorney’s path to law firm partnerships and otherprestigious positions.The experience in and of itself is consideredunmatched and prestigious amongst lawyers.Offering a unique glimpse behind the scenes,clerkships let young lawyers see how judgesthink and courtrooms work. Invaluable insights,useful for all of an attorney’s future dealingswith any kind of judge, are gained.Judicial clerks serve judges in trial and appellatecourts, typically engaging in legal researchand writing to meet their judge’s obligations.USC Law alumni have held judicial clerkshipsin the United States Supreme Court, the UnitedStates Court of Appeals, the United StatesDistrict Court, and State Courts throughoutthe United States.Clerkship positions are highly competitive.However, USC Law mentors students whowish to be judicial clerks through the process.Starting in the first year, students review thepossibility, and find out more information aboutvarious opportunities. Clerkship workshopsare held to further assist students. USC Lawconducts a number of receptions and lunchesthroughout the academic year so that studentscan learn first-hand from the judges themselvesthe importance and prestige of clerkshippositions. Then in the beginning of their thirdyear, students apply for clerkships. USC Lawhas created a faculty clerkship committee to helpstudents with the application process, and willeven pay for application expenses involved.In addition, when possible, USC Law supportsclerkship candidates by helping to pay for travelto interviews with judges outside the greaterLos Angeles area.20 law.usc.eduUSC Gould School of Law21