A judicial clerkship is one of the most powerful early-career experiences available in the legal profession. From skill development to career acceleration, the long-term return on investment is hard to ignore. But like any major decision in law school, it’s important to understand what a clerkship involves and whether it truly aligns with your goals beyond 3L year.
What Is a Judicial Clerkship?
Ask any former clerk, and they’ll tell you: no two clerkships are exactly alike. Your day-to-day experience will depend on the judge you work for, the court you’re in, and the types of cases on the docket.
That said, most judicial clerks share a core set of responsibilities. At a high level, clerks help judges manage their chambers and keep cases moving forward. This often includes:
- Conducting legal research on complex issues
- Drafting opinions, bench memos, and orders
- Preparing the judge for hearings, oral arguments, or conferences
- Reviewing filings and helping manage the court’s docket
- In some courts, coordinating with attorneys and assisting with case progression
In trial courts, clerks may also help manage filings and party communications, giving you a front-row seat to how litigation unfolds in real time.
Why Clerkships Are So Valuable
While the work can vary, one thing is consistent across every clerkship: you’re learning the workings of the law directly from a judge. Think of the experience as being the judge’s trusted legal advisor and analytical sounding board.
- You gain insight into how judges think and make decisions.
- You develop elite writing and analytical skills under real-world pressure.
- You build a network of mentors and colleagues that can shape your career for years to come.
Perhaps most importantly, the experience you gain in chambers doesn’t stay there. The skills, judgment, and perspective you develop through a clerkship will make you a stronger, more effective lawyer—no matter where your career takes you.
When a Clerkship Makes the Most Sense
A clerkship is especially valuable if you’re planning to go into:
- Litigation: You’ll develop courtroom-related skills and learn what makes arguments persuasive.
- Government or Public Interest: Clerkships align closely with public service careers and judicial processes.
- Academia: Clerkships are often a strong steppingstone toward teaching or legal scholarship.
What the Data Says About Clerkships
If you’re hesitating in applying for a judicial clerkship because of the time commitment (often 1–2 years), the data strongly suggests that clerking pays off.
According to a survey of 931 former clerks conducted by legal career job site LawCrossing:
- 97% of respondents said they would clerk again
- 71% reported improved job prospects
- Clerks may receive lucrative bonuses from top firms
- Most report lasting career and skill benefits
What this means for you:
A clerkship isn’t just a line on your resumé; it’s a career accelerator that can:
- Open doors to BigLaw, government, and academia
- Fast-track career advancement and partnership timelines
- Signal elite skills to employers
- Provide a competitive edge in litigation-heavy roles
5 Reasons to Do a Judicial Clerkship
1. Acquire Elite Legal Skills (Fast)
Clerking sharpens important lawyering skills like legal research, writing, and analysis often more intensely than entry-level practice. You’ll become a stronger writer and thinker faster than many of your peers, giving you a competitive advantage in the marketplace.
2. Gain Insider Insight into Judges
You get a glimpse inside the mind of a judge to learn such things as which arguments work, what weak briefs look like, and how decisions are made. This is the kind of insight that is invaluable if you plan to litigate (and still useful in transactional practice).
3. Boost Career Leverage + Prestige
Clerkships are highly competitive and widely respected by employers. Many firms explicitly prefer candidates with clerkship experience and reward them accordingly.
4. Build a Solid Professional Network
Clerks build close relationships with other clerks, attorneys who appear before the court, and judges who often become lifelong mentors. These are relationships that can shape your career long after the clerkship ends.
5. Gain Exposure to Real Legal Practice
As a clerk, you see the full lifecycle of cases, from filings to final decisions. This breadth of experience can provide clarity about the career path you want to take and help you hit the ground running on day one.
Why Clerkships Aren’t for Everyone
Even though the upsides are strong, clerking may not be in your best interest. Consider these tradeoffs:
- Delayed higher salary compared to going straight into BigLaw
- Heavy focus on research and writing and less on client interaction
- Competitive application process
- Workload can be intense depending on the judge
A clerkship is ideal if you value skill-building and long-term payoff over immediate income.
To Clerk or Not to Clerk?
Is it worth it to apply? The answer is a resounding yes if you’re strategic about your goals.
A judicial clerkship is a great way to accelerate your skills development, tap into a powerful professional network, and gain meaningful insight into how the law works. Ask yourself these key questions to help in your decision making:
- Do you want to become a better legal writer?
If yes, clerking is one of the fastest ways to improve. - Are you interested in litigation or court-facing work?
Clerkships are especially valuable here. - Are you thinking long-term about your career?
Clerkships consistently deliver lasting career advantages. - Do you want mentorship early in your career?
Few roles offer the level of access to experienced judges that clerking does.
With so many former clerks saying they’d do it again, the long-term value is clear.
Remember, you can always decline an offer if you’re unsure. But, you can’t take advantage of an opportunity you never pursued.
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