Judicial clerkships are among the most prestigious opportunities available to law students and recent graduates. While candidates from T14 law schools often dominate the applicant pool, students from regional or lower-ranked schools can still secure clerkships with the right strategy.
If you're not at a top 14 law school, don't let rankings discourage you. With strong grades, strategic targeting, and persistence, you can stand out and secure a clerkship that will significantly enhance your legal career. Even with alternative pathways, understanding the potential career outcomes of a clerkship is essential; see Judicial Clerkship Career Impact for a full analysis.
Why Clerkships Are Worth Pursuing
Judicial clerkships are among the most respected and career-enhancing opportunities available to law students and recent graduates. Whether you're aiming for a career in litigation, government, academia, or even BigLaw, a clerkship can serve as a powerful launchpad. Here’s why they’re worth pursuing, regardless of your law school ranking:
- Prestige & Resume Boost – Signals strong legal skills and earns respect from top employers.
- Judicial Insight – Offers a behind-the-scenes look at how judges make decisions.
- Mentorship – Judges often provide career-long guidance and connections.
- Stronger Legal Writing – Develops sharp research, analysis, and drafting skills.
- Career Advantage – Increases hiring appeal; some firms offer clerkship bonuses.
- Expanded Network – Builds valuable connections with judges, attorneys, and former clerks.
Bottom line: A judicial clerkship offers more than just a line on your resume—it’s a transformative experience that accelerates your development as a lawyer, strengthens your credibility in the profession, and gives you access to a lifelong network of legal professionals.
1. Start with Strong Academics and Legal Writing
Even if you’re not attending a T14 law school, having strong academics and excellent legal writing skills can set you apart in the clerkship hiring process. Judges, especially at the federal and appellate levels, place a high value on intellectual ability, attention to detail, and clear writing.
Here’s how to strengthen this part of your application:
- Maintain a High GPA – A strong class rank shows discipline and academic capability, especially in doctrinal courses like Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, and Legal Writing.
- Excel in Legal Writing Courses – Your writing sample is a critical part of your application. Judges often judge your potential by the structure, clarity, and analysis in your sample.
- Join Law Review or a Journal – Participation in a journal shows commitment to legal scholarship and hones your editing and research skills.
- Publish a Student Note or Article – Getting published—especially on a timely or complex topic—can demonstrate legal insight and initiative.
- Seek Out Writing-Intensive Internships or Clinics – Working in roles where you draft memos, motions, or opinions gives you practical experience and polished work product to showcase.
2. Target Judges Strategically
When you’re not coming from a T14 law school, who you apply to matters just as much as how strong your application is, instead of focusing only on high-profile or highly competitive clerkships, your best approach is to target judges who are more open to hiring from a broader range of law schools—and to do so thoughtfully and systematically.
Here’s how to strategically identify and prioritize judges:
- Apply to Judges Outside Major Markets – Federal judges in competitive circuits like the Second, Ninth, and D.C. Circuits often receive thousands of applications. Judges in smaller or less saturated regions (e.g., the Midwest, the South, rural districts) may receive fewer applications and be more open to hiring from regional law schools.
- Focus on State Court Clerkships – State appellate courts and even trial-level courts offer valuable experience and often have a more diverse hiring pool. These clerkships can be great stepping stones to federal opportunities later.
- Look for Judges Who Are Alumni of Your School – Judges often have a soft spot for candidates from their alma mater. Use your law school’s alumni database or clerkship office to identify graduates who now sit on the bench.
- Consider Magistrate and Bankruptcy Judges – These judges often handle complex pretrial and financial matters and provide an excellent training ground. Their clerkships are sometimes overlooked but can be equally valuable.
- Review Hiring Trends – Research which judges have hired clerks from non-T14 schools in the past. The OSCAR system (used for federal clerkship hiring) and your school’s clerkship advisor may have this information.
- Personalize Applications – Judges appreciate when applicants reference specific rulings, professional background, or values that resonate with them. This type of personalization can have a significant impact.
3. Use Your Law School's Clerkship Resources
Even if your law school isn’t ranked in the T14, it likely offers valuable resources and support that can strengthen your clerkship application and help you stand out. Many students overlook these tools, but leveraging them can give you a major edge in the hiring process.
Here’s how to make the most of your school’s clerkship resources:
- Meet with the Judicial Clerkship Advisor – Most law schools have a designated faculty or career services advisor who specializes in clerkships. They can help you build a target list of judges, review your application materials, and give insights into past hiring trends.
- Access Past Clerkship Data – Many law schools keep internal records of which judges have hired their graduates. This information is incredibly valuable for identifying judges who are more open to hiring outside the T14.
- Get Help with Writing Samples and Cover Letters – Career services staff can review your resume, cover letters, and writing samples to ensure they meet the high standards judges expect.
- Tap into the Alumni Network – Your law school’s alumni office can connect you with former students who clerked for specific judges or in particular regions. These alumni may offer insider advice—or even refer you to someone who can help.
- Attend Clerkship Info Sessions and Panels – Many schools host events featuring judges, former clerks, or professors discussing how to secure and succeed in a clerkship. Attending these events can give you insider tips and make you more informed and confident in your approach.
- Use Your Professors Strategically – Faculty members often have personal relationships with judges. Let them know you’re applying and ask if they would be willing to write a recommendation or make a personal outreach.
4. Network with Professors and Alumni
When it comes to landing a judicial clerkship—especially from a non-T14 law school—networking can be just as important as your grades or writing sample. Judges often rely on trusted recommendations from people they know, which means building strong relationships with professors and alumni can significantly improve your chances.
Build Meaningful Relationships with Professors
- Go beyond the classroom. Attend office hours regularly, engage in class discussions, and seek research or teaching assistant roles.
- Work closely with writing or clinical professors. These faculty members are often best positioned to assess your legal skills and may already have clerkship connections.
- Ask early about recommendations. Give professors ample time and context so they can write a detailed, personalized letter that effectively highlights your strengths.
Connect with Alumni Who’ve Clerked
- Use your school’s alumni directory or LinkedIn to find graduates who clerked for judges on your target list.
- Request informational interviews. Most alumni are happy to share their clerkship experience and offer advice.
- Ask for referrals—respectfully. If the conversation goes well and the alum thinks highly of you, they may be willing to recommend you to their judge or former colleagues.
Attend Clerkship Panels and Events
- Take advantage of law school-hosted events where former clerks, professors, or even judges speak about the application process.
- Introduce yourself during or after the event and follow up with a brief, professional message to continue the conversation.
Join Local or Regional Bar Associations
- Especially in the jurisdiction where you’re applying, bar association events can help you meet clerks, court staff, or even judges.
- Volunteering for committees or legal aid efforts can also create opportunities to connect with the legal community outside of your school.
Bottom line: A personal recommendation or referral can set your application apart in a crowded field. By investing in relationships and seeking guidance, you demonstrate professionalism, initiative, and the kind of maturity that judges value in their clerks.
5. Apply Broadly and Early
When applying for judicial clerkships—especially from a non-T14 law school—timing and volume matter just as much as qualifications. While it may be tempting to apply only to a few prestigious judges or locations, the reality is that your best chance comes from applying early, widely, and strategically.
Here’s how to maximize your chances through a broad and timely approach:
Apply to a Wide Range of Judges
- Don’t limit yourself to federal appellate courts or popular urban districts where competition is intense.
- Include trial-level judges, state courts, bankruptcy courts, and magistrate judges—these positions are often more accessible and still offer incredible experience.
- Cast a wide geographic net. Look at opportunities outside major legal markets. Judges in smaller cities or rural areas often receive fewer applications and may be more open to non-T14 candidates.
Research and Tailor Applications
- Use OSCAR (Online System for Clerkship Application and Review) for federal judges, but also track down judges who hire by mail or email.
- Tailor each cover letter to the judge by referencing specific opinions, values, or interests, showing you’ve done your homework.
- Organize your materials to track deadlines and responses, especially since different judges hire on different timelines.
Bottom line: Your chances of securing a clerkship increase significantly when you apply broadly and early. Think of it as a numbers game combined with targeted strategy—persistence and preparation often win out over prestige.
6. Consider Post-Graduate Fellowships or Internships
If you don’t land a clerkship during law school, don’t give up—there are still strong paths to get there post-graduation. Many judges are open to hiring candidates who gain additional experience first.
- Judicial internships or externships during law school can lead to clerkship offers later.
- Post-grad fellowships (like public interest or court-based programs) enhance your resume and demonstrate commitment.
- Practicing for 1–2 years before reapplying can strengthen your application, especially for trial-level or state court clerkships.
7. Be Persistent and Professional
Clerkship hiring is competitive, and rejections are common—even for top candidates. What sets successful applicants apart is persistence and professionalism.
- Don’t get discouraged if you don’t hear back right away or face early rejections.
- Continue improving your application materials, gaining experience, and expanding your outreach.
- Always maintain a professional tone in emails, interviews, and follow-ups—judges value maturity and respect.
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Final Thoughts
Getting a clerkship when you're not at a T14 law school is possible—and often just as prestigious and rewarding. Focus on your strengths, leverage your network, apply strategically, and never underestimate the value of persistence. Judges are looking for thoughtful, capable, and dedicated clerks—and that has nothing to do with where your law school ranks.
