1. JRC-JTB Judicial Internship Interview Training Presented by Just The Beginning – A Pipeline Organization 1

2. Judge Lee’s Top Ten Tips for Judicial Internship Interview Preparation The Honorable Gerald Bruce Lee United States District Judge, Eastern District of Virginia 2

3. Find and review the judge’s biography in the Federal Judicial Almanac Find and review the judge’s biography in the Federal Judicial Almanac Search for news articles about the judge’s cases and information about the judge’s pre-bench legal work on the Internet Search for news articles about the judge’s cases and information about the judge’s pre-bench legal work on the Internet Acquire the information you need to demonstrate that you are personally interested in working for this particular judge Acquire the information you need to demonstrate that you are personally interested in working for this particular judge 1. Conduct Background Research on the Judge 3

4. Download, read, and brief at least two of the judge’s opinions in at least two noteworthy cases Download, read, and brief at least two of the judge’s opinions in at least two noteworthy cases At the interview, look for an opening to mention a case At the interview, look for an opening to mention a case Engage in a discussion Engage in a discussion 2. Read and Brief Noteworthy Cases 4

5. You must be on time You must be on time Preplan your travel to the courthouse Preplan your travel to the courthouse Anticipate the unexpected. Anticipate the unexpected. Arrive at the courthouse at least an hour early Arrive at the courthouse at least an hour early Arrive in chambers 10-15 minutes before your scheduled time Arrive in chambers 10-15 minutes before your scheduled time Punctuality suggests that you are reliable and dependable Punctuality suggests that you are reliable and dependable 3. Be Punctual 5

6. First impressions are important. Your interview begins the moment you arrive in the judge’s chambers First impressions are important. Your interview begins the moment you arrive in the judge’s chambers Introduce yourself, smile, give a firm handshake, and make eye contact Introduce yourself, smile, give a firm handshake, and make eye contact Engage in pleasant conversation with the judicial assistant or law clerk who greets you Engage in pleasant conversation with the judicial assistant or law clerk who greets you Each person in chambers has input into the hiring decision Each person in chambers has input into the hiring decision Wear a wrist watch; it shows that you are time- conscious Wear a wrist watch; it shows that you are time- conscious 4. Smile and Be Friendly 6

7. You may want to take notes You may want to take notes If the judge or law clerks offer you guidance or advice, you want to convey that you are noting their comments If the judge or law clerks offer you guidance or advice, you want to convey that you are noting their comments You will look the part You will look the part of an intern of an intern 5. Bring a Notepad to the Interview 7

8. Have specific reasons for your interest in this particular judge Have specific reasons for your interest in this particular judge Practice your response to this question so that it flows Practice your response to this question so that it flows Think of it as your opening statement in your case for working for this particular judge Think of it as your opening statement in your case for working for this particular judge 6. Prepare to Answer the Question: “Why Do You Want to Intern for Me?” 8

9. Maintain good eye contact with the judge and with the law clerks during the interview Maintain good eye contact with the judge and with the law clerks during the interview 7. Maintain Good Eye Contact 9

10. Listen to the question; answer the question Listen to the question; answer the question If you have additional information in support of your response, add it after you answer the question directly and concisely If you have additional information in support of your response, add it after you answer the question directly and concisely You will be asked questions about the experiences listed on your resume. Prepare to offer succinct information about each experience, highlighting any opportunity you had to research or write or to manage a project You will be asked questions about the experiences listed on your resume. Prepare to offer succinct information about each experience, highlighting any opportunity you had to research or write or to manage a project 8. Answer the Question That Is Asked 10

11. Prepare questions to ask the judge and law clerks Prepare questions to ask the judge and law clerks For example, you may ask about types of work interns handle in chambers or opportunities interns have to go to court with the judge For example, you may ask about types of work interns handle in chambers or opportunities interns have to go to court with the judge 9. Have Questions for the Judge 11

12. Close the interview with a summary of why you hope to have the opportunity to work with the judge and law clerks Close the interview with a summary of why you hope to have the opportunity to work with the judge and law clerks Within two days, send a handwritten “Thank You” note to the judicial assistant, each law clerk, and the judge Within two days, send a handwritten “Thank You” note to the judicial assistant, each law clerk, and the judge 10. Close the Interview with Your Reasons for Wanting the Internship 12