Mississippi College School of Law: Your Path to Prestigious Federal Clerkships

Mississippi College School of Law (MC Law) is garnering well-deserved attention for its remarkable success in placing graduates in prestigious federal clerkships. The school's unwavering dedication to offering exceptional learning opportunities and practical experiences has proven to be a valuable asset for aspiring young attorneys.
 

Federal clerkships are highly sought-after positions that provide unparalleled learning experiences in the judicial process and litigation. Not all law students initially see the appeal of taking time off to clerk, especially when they are eager to enter legal practice as soon as possible. However, stories like Sonya Dickson's, a first-year MC Law student from Peoria, Arizona, challenge this perception. During her 2L year, while interning for a magistrate judge, she witnessed the valuable insights and practical familiarity that a federal clerkship offered and decided to pursue this prestigious opportunity.
 
Another student, McKenna Stone Cloud, a first-generation law student passionate about gaining practical legal knowledge, sought to enhance her legal research and writing skills through a federal clerkship. She is currently clerking for Judge Leslie H. Southwick of the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and has been actively involved in various aspects of the appeals process.
 
Kelsi Baldwin is yet another outstanding example. Graduating summa cum laude from MC Law, she serves as a judicial law clerk for a judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi. After completing her federal clerkship, Baldwin will embark on another with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Her achievement of securing two federal clerkships is a testament to MC Law's reputation for providing remarkable opportunities to its students.
 
MC Law's success as a top-feeder school for federal clerkships can be attributed to its commitment to fostering close ties with the judiciary. With multiple courts within walking distance of the school, students have ample opportunities to interact with judges at social events and internships, creating a distinct advantage in securing prestigious clerkships. According to Frank Rosenblatt, assistant professor of law at MC Law, the school ranks closely behind prestigious institutions like Stanford Law School, Yale Law School, the University of Chicago Law School, and Notre Dame University Law School in federal clerkship placements. Ellen Robb, MC Law's director of career services, plays an instrumental role in guiding students toward these exceptional opportunities.
 
Federal clerkships are valued as stepping stones to sought-after positions in large firms and law professorships. Jay Armstrong, MC Law's director of admissions, highlights that these clerkships can significantly contribute to a successful legal career, potentially leading to future judgeship opportunities. The competition for federal clerkships is intense, with only 3% of the 36,078 law graduates in 2022 securing such positions. Yet, MC Law's most recent placement rate of 6% of graduates into federal clerkships surpasses many prestigious law schools nationwide, reflecting the school's commitment to academic excellence.
 
Graduates of MC Law who have experienced federal clerkships firsthand attest to the invaluable insights and mentorship they received from federal judges. They credit their alma mater for providing them with the knowledge, skills, and determination required to compete with candidates from top-tier law schools.
 
In conclusion, MC Law's exceptional track record in placing graduates in federal clerkships highlights its dedication to providing outstanding learning opportunities and practical experiences, making it a top choice for aspiring young attorneys seeking a successful legal career.