Judicial Clerkships.
A 1–2 year position working directly for a federal judge right after law school. You are the judge's principal researcher and writer — drafting bench memos, researching novel legal questions, and advising on rulings. The most intellectually rigorous post-law school experience available. The single most prestigious credential in the legal profession.
At elite BigLaw firms, former clerks receive a clerkship bonus of $25,000–$100,000+ on top of regular associate pay. At the DOJ and in academia, clerkship experience is near-required for top positions. At the Supreme Court, clerks shape the law of the land. Clerkships close essentially no doors — and open nearly all of them.
Types of clerkships
Each level of the federal judiciary is a different experience — and a different door.
District Court (Trial Court)
You work on both criminal and civil matters. The best introduction to how federal courts actually work — from filing to trial. Available in every federal district across the country. Easier to get than circuit. A great starting point if you plan to ladder up.
Circuit Court (Appeals Court)
Pure legal writing and analysis — no trials. You research and draft opinions on the most significant legal questions in the country. The 2nd Circuit (NY), 9th Circuit (CA), and DC Circuit are the most prestigious. A circuit clerkship opens essentially every door in law.
DC Circuit
The most prestigious circuit. The primary pipeline to Supreme Court clerkships. Heavily recruited by the DOJ and elite BigLaw firms. Clerking for the DC Circuit is a career-defining credential.
Supreme Court
36 clerks total — 4 per Justice. Typically requires a circuit clerkship first. Clerks draft bench memos on petitions for certiorari, assist with mergers opinions, and work on some of the most consequential legal questions of any generation. Every SCOTUS clerk has their pick of any job in law.
State Supreme Court
Prestigious within your state. Good for students who want to build a career in a specific state — the state supreme court clerkship gives you visibility with the most important judges and lawyers in that jurisdiction.
Who Gets Clerkships
Federal circuit clerkships — especially the 9th Circuit, 2nd Circuit, and DC Circuit — are extremely competitive. Here's what the strongest applicants have in common.
Top 10–15% of class at a T14 law school (or near the top at a non-T14)
Law Review membership — both writing and editing experience
A strong judicial writing sample (seminar paper or law review Note)
Strong faculty recommendations from professors who know federal judges
For SCOTUS: a prior circuit clerkship + exceptional academic credentials
Geographic flexibility — the strongest candidates apply nationally, not only in one city
How to Apply
Build your credentials in 1L
Top grades in 1L are essential — particularly the first semester. Law Review membership is the single strongest signal. A strong seminar paper or law review Note becomes your writing sample.
Cultivate professor relationships early
Judicial clerkship recommendations from law professors who know federal judges are critical. Office hours, research assistant positions, and seminar courses are how you build those relationships. Start in 1L.
Prepare a strong writing sample
Judges are hiring a legal writer. Your writing sample — usually a seminar paper, law review Note, or edited brief — is your most important application document after grades. Make it your best legal writing.
Apply through OSCAR
OSCAR (Online System for Clerkship Application and Review) is the federal clerkship application portal. Most applications go through it. Some judges hire outside the official plan on their own timeline — check each judge's preferences on their court's website.
Apply broadly
50–100 applications for circuit clerkships is normal. 30–50 for district. Most applicants target a geographic region, a practice area specialty (criminal vs. civil), and a range of prestige levels. Cast a wide net.
Understand the timing
The federal clerkship hiring market has changed significantly in recent years. Many judges now participate in a voluntary hiring plan with applications in fall of 3L year. Others hire much earlier. Research each judge's preferences individually.
What Happens After a Clerkship
BigLaw
Former clerks receive a clerkship bonus on top of their associate salary: $25,000 for district court; $75,000–$100,000+ for circuit; $100,000+ for SCOTUS. They're also placed directly into mid-level associate roles, skipping the first year or two of associate seniority.
Department of Justice
DOJ aggressively recruits circuit and SCOTUS clerks for its Appellate and Civil Divisions. A clerkship is near-required for the most prestigious DOJ positions. Many career DOJ attorneys and federal judges clerked first.
Law Academia
Most law professors at top schools have at least one federal clerkship. A SCOTUS clerkship is often required at the elite law schools. If academia is your goal, a clerkship is essentially mandatory.
Second Clerkship (Ladder)
District court clerks often apply for circuit clerkships. Circuit clerks apply for SCOTUS. This 'clerkship ladder' is a deliberate strategy for students targeting the most prestigious positions — each step opens the next.
State Attorney General / US Attorney's Office
Clerks are highly competitive candidates for USAO and AG offices. The writing and legal judgment developed in clerkships is exactly what those offices want.