A judicial clerkship provides an invaluable experience, reference, and résumé highlight. Judicial clerkships are prestigious positions that prepare the new graduate for maximum success and flexibility in law practice while enjoying a close working relationship with a valuable mentor. Recognized by the bar, bench, and the legal community as an unparalleled experience, clerkships at all levels are an opportunity available to Tulane students from a broad range of backgrounds, interests, and accomplishments.
In general, a judicial law clerk is an assistant to the judge and has no statutorily defined duties. Rather, the clerk serves at the direction of the judge and performs a broad range of activities. Clerks are usually assigned such duties as legal research, drafting, editing, proofreading, and verification of citations.
The application process for judicial clerkships requires individual attention. Katie O'Leary is the career counselor at the CDO who assists students and alumni interested in securing clerkships. Ms. O'Leary develops resources, disseminates a judicial clerkship electronic newsletter, collects narratives from former Tulane clerks, maintains the clerkship databases, and presents programs to ensure that students and alumni are strongly situated when applying for clerkships. Ms. O'Leary can be reached at koleary@tulane.edu.
A few public sites with information about judicial clerkships are listed below. Tulane law students have access to CDO clerkship and judicial internship/externship resources via the password-protected CDO Intranet site.
Judicial Clerkships
Judicial Clerkship/Internship Reporting Form