Judicial Internship Program Office of Career Development & Public Service October 24, 2016

Judicial Internship Program Agenda Overview Application Process Who? When? How? Interviews and Offers

Overview

What is a judicial internship? Summer position where a law student serves as a “quasi-law clerk” to a judge. Judicial interns: prepare bench memoranda and drafts of opinions; attend court proceedings; and interact with judge, law clerks, and other staff.

Who does a judicial internship and where? 21% (i.e., 50 students) of Class of 2018

What are the benefits of a judicial internship? FUN Great legal experience Develop research and writing skills; Gain exposure to many types of law; and Get insight into advocacy and how judges think. Practical benefits Obtain a writing sample (with judge’s permission only); Secure a reference (with judge’s permission only); Establish yourself in the legal market where you want to seek post-graduate employment; and Position yourself for a post-graduate clerkship.

How important are grades? Many judges/courts hire before first semester grades come out so law school grades are not as important for 1L summer judicial internships. Judges/courts focus on: You as a person; Your academic and work experience; You articulateness; Your writing skills (cover letter and writing sample); Your ability to be discrete and maintain confidentiality; and Your ability to work independently and meet deadlines.

Will I get paid? Judicial internships are unpaid. No PIP grants. Funding your summer judicial internship: Add a paid Research Assistant position; or Investigate select outside sources of funding: ABA’s Judicial Intern Opportunity Program Dr. M.L. “Hank” Henry Jr. Fund for Judicial Fellowships RI State Government Internship Program Blask Fellowship (Southern District of Texas)

Application Process

3 Factors to Consider When Deciding to Whom to Apply Court Type (Federal v. State) Court Level (Appellate v. Trial v. Specialty) Court Location 3 Factors to Consider When Deciding to Whom to Apply

Federal Specialty Courts Federal courts U.S. Courts of Appeals 13 Judges and Senior judges Civil/criminal Research/writing Focus on legal, not factual, issues No trials Limited oral arguments in the summer U.S. District Courts 94 Single and multiple districts Locations District, Senior, and Magistrate judges Observe court proceedings Federal Specialty Courts U.S. Bankruptcy Courts U.S. Court of International Trade

Federal courts

State Specialty Courts State courts State Supreme/ Appellate Courts Not all states have mid-level appellate courts Civil/criminal Research/writing No trials Limited oral argument in the summer State Trial Courts Observe court proceedings State Specialty Courts Vary by state, but can include: Probate & Family Court Juvenile Court Land Court Housing Court

Spreadsheets on Judges & Courts website Who? Spreadsheets on Judges & Courts website All Federal Judges Select State Judges Nat’l Center for State Courts’ Browse by State Courts’ websites Other resources for researching judges on Judges & Courts website

When? Federal State December 1 Mid-December – Home state (to set up interviews over break) January – All others *Unless otherwise specified by judge/court.

How? Identify application method. Federal Send applications directly to each judge. State Send applications either: Directly to each judge; or Through a centralized application process. Check court’s website.

How? Gather application materials. Cover letter Resume Writing sample Legal writing sample (no pre-law school writing) Draft a cover page Transcript Undergraduate/other graduate Law school (after first semester grades) *Unless otherwise specified by judge/court.

How? Cover letters Focus your cover letter on: Why this particular court? Why this geographic location? Research, writing, and communication/advocacy skills Address your letters properly. Review “How to Address Justices and Judges in Your Correspondence”. PROOFREAD, PROOFREAD, PROOFREAD!

How? Cover letters First Paragraph I am a first-year student at Boston University School of Law, and am writing to apply for an internship in your chambers for summer 2017. As a Stars Hollow, CT native and graduate of Yale University, I am excited about the opportunity to return home for the summer.

How? Cover letters How? Cover letters How? Cover letters Second Paragraph Through my academic and journalistic pursuits, I gained the skills necessary to make a valuable contribution to your chambers. I developed my research and writing skills as an English major and reporter for the Features section of the Yale Daily News. I wrote two articles per week and won an award from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association for my article on the Life and Death Brigade. I became Editor in Chief in my junior year, which allowed me to edit student articles and develop a keen attention to detail. Outside Yale, I interned at the Stamford Eagle Gazette. I conducted background research on economic and policy issues, and became adept at clearly explaining complex issues while presenting my findings to reporters. I am now developing my legal research and writing skills in BU Law’s First-Year Writing Program. How? Cover letters Second Paragraph Through my academic and journalistic pursuits, I gained the skills necessary to make a valuable contribution to your chambers. I developed my research and writing skills as an English major and reporter for the Features section of the Yale Daily News. I wrote two articles per week and won an award from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association for my article on the Life and Death Brigade. I became Editor in Chief in my junior year, which allowed me to edit student articles and develop a keen attention to detail. Outside Yale, I interned at the Stamford Eagle Gazette. I conducted background research on economic and policy issues, and became adept at clearly explaining complex issues while presenting my findings to reporters. I am now developing my legal research and writing skills in BU Law’s First-Year Writing Program. How? Cover letters Second Paragraph Through my academic and journalistic pursuits, I gained the skills necessary to make a valuable contribution to your chambers. I developed my research and writing skills as an English major and reporter for the Features section of the Yale Daily News. I wrote two articles per week and won an award from the Columbia Scholastic Press Association for my article on the Life and Death Brigade. I became Editor in Chief in my junior year, which allowed me to edit student articles and develop a keen attention to detail. Outside Yale, I interned at the Stamford Eagle Gazette. I conducted background research on economic and policy issues, and became adept at clearly explaining complex issues while presenting my findings to reporters. I am now developing my legal research and writing skills in BU Law’s First-Year Writing Program.

How? Cover letters Third Paragraph I am excited about the prospect of putting my research, writing, and communication skills to use in your chambers this summer. I would appreciate the opportunity to interview with you. I will be home in Connecticut from December 22 to January 3, but am available at your convenience. Thank you for your consideration.

How? Submit applications. Send hard copies via U.S. Mail unless otherwise specified by judge/court. Print cover letter and resume on bond paper. Use manila envelopes. Type address and return address on label/envelope. Do not call or email to follow up.

Massachusetts Courts U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Massachusetts Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court (NO INTERNS) Massachusetts Appeals Court (APPLY DIRECTLY) Massachusetts Superior Court (CENTRALIZED) Massachusetts Land, Probate and Family, and Juvenile Courts (CENTRALIZED)

Interviews and Offers

Interviews Interview with judge and possibly law clerks. Conversational, not substantive, interview: Judge is trying to learn . . . Be prepared to discuss . . . Why this judge or court? Academic experience Are you a good fit for chambers? Work experience Are you articulate? Do you have good research and writing skills? Career ambitions Are you discrete and can you keep matters confidential? Family and/or personal interests Can you work independently and meet deadlines? What you want to learn over the summer

Interviews Prior to interview: Bring: Research judge’s background; Review a few opinions to learn judge’s style; Prepare examples that illustrate qualities judge seeks; and Prepare questions for judge and law clerks. Bring: Copies of all application materials; and Law school transcript (if available). Mail thank you notes within a day of interview.

You MUST accept offers from judges/courts. Remember: Judicial internships are competitive. Great opportunities for 1Ls regardless of geographic location or court level. Solid foundation for many future career paths.

Questions?