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

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

3. Overview

4. 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.

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

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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)

9. Application Process

10. 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

11. 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

12. Federal courts

13. 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

14. 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

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

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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!

19. 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 As a Stars Hollow, CT native and graduate of Yale University, I am excited about the opportunity to return home for the summer.

20. 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.

21. 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.

22. 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 to follow up.

23. 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)

24. Interviews and Offers

25. 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

26. 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.

27. 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.

28. Questions?